By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer TROUT, La. (LBM) – For the last 20 years, Pastor R.V. Couch has devoted his life to sharing how Christ can set men free, especially inside prisons. “It’s been such a joy,” said Couch, interim pastor at Dunbarton Baptist Church, Ferriday, and a 2021 Louisiana Baptist Convention Exemplary Bi-vocational and Retired Pastor of the Year award winner. “I never thought that I would ever do this as a child. I have enjoyed it thoroughly and everywhere I have gone there is a purpose that God has equipped me to do.” CALLED AMID DARKNESS A lifelong resident of Jena, Couch was working as a repairman in 1990 when his wife, Malcolm, was undergoing treatment for cancer. While she was having surgery, Mickey Hudnall, then pastor of Summerville Baptist Church, Olla, and now associational missions strategist for Ouachita Baptist Association, paid a visit to the hospital and prayed with the couple. At that moment, Couch’s eyes were open to the Gospel, and soon afterward, he accepted Christ. A year later, Couch felt a call to ministry during a revival service with Aimoch Baptist, Olla. Then he began accompanying Hudnall to Raymond Laborde Correctional Center, Cottonport, to minister to … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ROGERS, Ark. (LBM) – A tent at a motorcycle rally served as a tabernacle of sorts for 81 new believers who offered themselves as “living sacrifices” in turning their lives over to Christ during the recent “Bikes, Blues and Barbecue Rally” in Rogers, Arkansas. Bikers from around the country rallied, Oct. 6-8, in the mountainous community, and 22 members of several Louisiana F.A.I.T.H Riders were there, offering an opportunity to win a daily drawing of $500 to anyone who listened to a three-minute testimony about Christ. By the end of the three-day event, the members from chapters with Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville, and Calvary Baptist Church, Ruston, joined other F.A.I.T.H. Riders chapters from across the United States to share Christ with 755 people. The F.A.I.T.H. Riders chapter of Cross Church, a multi-site congregation with a campus in Rogers, hosted the event and will follow up with those who made decisions for Jesus. Jesse Littleton, assistant state director for Louisiana F.A.I.T.H. Riders, was among those who led a biker to Christ. After one woman admitted she would spend eternity in hell, Littleton shared she had another option. “She questioned a lot of … [Read more...]

By Staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – U.S. Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) will be the keynote speaker at Louisiana Christian University’s Value and Ethics series, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Johnson, who is a member of Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, and represents 15 parishes in Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, will share with his wife, Kelly, about the importance of religion and morality and what can be done to restore it in the United States. “Kelly and I are looking forward to the event because we love the idea behind the Values and Ethics Series,” Johnson told the Baptist Message. “It’s unfortunate that most universities today would never host such discussions. There is too little emphasis on these subjects today, and the foundations of our country are being destroyed because of it. “On November 10, we will discuss why the founders insisted that religion and morality were essential to maintain our republic, and how we can all work to restore those pillars before it is too late.” The public is encouraged to attend this free event in Guinn Auditorium. COMMUNITY AWARNESS FAIR LCU’s Psychology Club will hold a Community Awareness Fair, Oct. 28. Services and information will be available on domestic violence, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SAINT FRANCISVILLE, La. (LBM) – Judson Baptist Retreat Center, a camp owned by churches of the Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge, has voted to cease operations, and to sell the property. During the BAGBR annual meeting Oct. 16, a task force that was formed to study the camp’s future presented their motion to close the facility and messengers approved the recommendation. BAGBR Director of Missions Tommy Middleton told the Baptist Message he has spent the last 36 years leading camps and enjoying all that Judson Retreat Center offered. The decision was not easy, Middleton said, but the task force spent a great deal of time in prayer in coming to this conclusion. “Our task force was composed of 10 members, most of whom have been very active in the work at Judson Retreat Center over the years,” Middleton said in a statement to the Baptist Message. “Our chairman, Keith Horton, was outstanding in leading this group; and we are grateful for his excellent shepherding of the entire process. “Our camp director, Justin Busby, and his wife Kim, have done incredible work to continue the ministry, going above and beyond the call of duty over these last five years. We could … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. – The Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association has become the first participant in the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries’ new model to help associations better engage churches in foster care and adoption ministry. Adopted by messengers during its association annual meeting, Oct. 3 at Walker Baptist Church, the partnership encourages a coordination of efforts to serve the foster care community as an association and provides a more streamlined approach to meet urgent needs. LBCHFM President and CEO Perry Hancock encouraged messengers and guests at the meeting to consider how God is calling them to serve. “Everyone is not called to foster and adopt, but everyone can help in some way to care for vulnerable children and families,” Hancock said. “By becoming a foster parent, you can show a child the hope and healing that is found only in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Under this new approach that was introduced during a meeting at Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association in late January, an associational foster care and adoption ministry coordinator (trained by LBCHFM staff) will organize foster care and adoption ministry efforts throughout his or her … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Supporters of Granberry Counseling Centers recently gathered to celebrate the ministry’s 25th year of helping improve the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health of ministers and their loved and ones, and others, around the state. Held at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Family Ministries campus in Monroe, the Sept. 30 event included re[1]marks by entity President and CEO Perry Hancock, past LBCHFM Executive Director John Williams and Granberry Director Kathy Eichelberger. LBCHFM trustees, Granberry counselors from around the state, former Granberry staff and other guests also were in attendance. Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn closed the event with a prayer of thanksgiving. “We have offered so many people healing and hope,” Eichelberger told the Baptist Message. “So many people come to us who have lost hope, whether it’s in a marriage relationship or some other area of life. “We help and encourage our clients through our counseling, and if they are Christians, we also do our best to help strengthen their personal relationship with the Lord,” she continued. “We combine Christian counseling with discipleship by encouraging … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SLIDELL, La. (LBM) – Wilbert Terry, 99, successfully completed numerous missions as a World War II veteran but he said none of those compared to the assignment he undertook to be obedient through believer’s baptism with the help of the congregation of Northshore Church, Slidell. A retired firefighter, a police officer, a former law enforcement officer and a U.S. Coast Guard veteran picked up the wheelchair-bound Terry and placed him in the baptistery while Pastor Larry McEwen baptized him during the July 31 service. Terry, a U.S. Army veteran who was part of battles in Europe and the Pacific, had surrendered his life to Christ when he was 15, but he was only sprinkled as a member of a Methodist church. When he started attending Northshore Church several years ago, Terry learned of his need to become baptized through immersion. But health concerns delayed his baptism for more than a year, until Terry finally celebrated alongside friends and family on a day when four others were baptized. “It felt good because when I think of all the Lord has done for me, importantly dying for me, I have to live for Him,” Terry told the Baptist Message. “To God be the glory. I’d love to … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Kenneth Austin has resigned from The Church at Marksville pending selection of another pastor. Cody, wife Margaret, Cunningham has been called as pastor at First Baptist Church, Luling. Ferran, wife Lynda, Bertrand is the new Associational Missions Strategist for Mt. Olive Baptist Association. Brett Faulk and George Johnson will be ordained as ministers of the gospel and Travis Burnett and Richard Humphries to deacon December 4 with an ordination service beginning a 3 p.m. at Elwood Baptist Church, Forest Hill. The ordination council will meet at 2:30 p.m. A reception will follow the ordination service in the fellowship hall. HOMECOMING New Ebenezer Baptist Church, Castor: Homecoming, October 23. 10 a.m. Speaker: Luke Hockenjos, evangelist. Special Music: Stephen Dickerson. Pastor: Austin … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — Chad Gilbert, pastor of the First Baptist Church, New Orleans, will be nominated for vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2022 annual meeting. Steve James, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles, notified the Baptist Message, Oct. 10, of his intention to make the nomination because Gilbert “is a genuine Christ follower, a man of devotion, integrity, and wisdom.” The LBC annual meeting is scheduled to be held in the facilities of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, Nov. 15. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT James said he has known Gilbert for several years but that they worked closely together when Gilbert joined the staff at Trinity. He said he was able to observe Gilbert’s leadership strengths and servant’s heart especially in the aftermath of Hurricanes Laura and Delta, when Trinity became a hub of ministry to hurricane survivors, disaster relief workers and law enforcement personnel. “Chad did a great job in reaching out to the community,” James told the Baptist Message. “He was our point person here and coordinated all the things that took place, from supplies coming in … to where feeding was … to handling calls … … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist youth and adult leaders are gearing up for the 35th anniversary of the Youth Evangelism Celebration, a statewide assembly focused on preparing the next generation to share Christ with the world. Scheduled Nov. 20-21 in the Rapides Parish Coliseum, Alexandria, YEC will continue its storied mission of changing lives and equipping students with the necessary tools to share their faith with their classmates. “Since its beginning in 1988, the heartbeat of YEC is the Gospel,” Louisiana Baptist Youth Strategist Brandon Lewis told the Baptist Message. “The two-fold goal has been to share the Gospel’s message of salvation through Jesus and to equip teenagers to share the Gospel in their hometowns. Each session is designed to accomplish this goal and an opportunity to respond is offered. All of this is packaged in an exciting event and gathers youth groups from across the state.” Since 2,100 students attended the first YEC held at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in 1988, the event has grown to be the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists. While Alexandria has hosted the event the most, YEC also has taken place in Haughton, Kenner, … [Read more...]