By Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist children and youth in grades 4-12 recently competed in State Bible Drill and the Speakers Tournament. State Bible Drill was held at three separate locations (Temple Baptist, Ruston on April 26, First Baptist Church, Covington on April 28 and Kingsville Baptist Church, Ball on April 30). In all, 276 children, youth and high school students participated in State Bible Drill (170 children and 106 middle and high schoolers). The Speakers Tournament was held April 30 at Louisiana Christian University. BIBLE DRILL Ninth grader Brett Frost, New Chapel Hill Baptist Church, West Monroe, and twelfth grader Mary Copeland, First Baptist Church, Gonzales, each were chosen to represent Louisiana at the National Invitational Tournament in June at First Baptist Church, Brunswick, Georgia. Bible Drill involves a three-step process which begins in the church before moving on to the district level and then finally advancing to the state level. They are part of a discipleship program designed to assist children, youth, and high school students in developing useful skills and knowledge of the Bible. Participants test their knowledge in the books of the Bible, scripture references, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer EDMOND, Okla. (LBM) – The Skit Guys, a Christian comedic duo who have performed at the 2021 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting and the 2012 Youth Evangelism Celebration, will debut their first-ever family film May 13 at theaters nationwide, including several in the state. According to the movie’s website, “Family Camp” chronicles the journey of two “polar opposite” families who find themselves sharing a cabin for a week at rustic Camp Katokwah. During a competition for a camp trophy, the two fathers (played by Tommy Woodard and Eddie James, known as the Skit Guys) find themselves lost in the woods after a comedy of mishaps and therefore the two men have to work together to find their way out of the woods. The film was produced by Provident Films, producer of such films as “Overcomer,” “War Room,” “Courageous,” “Fireproof,” and “Woodlawn”, Educational Media Foundation, parent company of K-LOVE, the largest contemporary Christian radio network in the United States, and Roadside Attractions, whose movies have grossed more than $500 million and garnered 23 Academy Award nominations. Woodard and James have wanted to make a comedy feature film for more than 20 years. When Brian … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – U.S. Congresswoman Julia Letlow told the Louisiana Christian University Class of 2022 graduates to remain hopeful when difficult days come. Speaking during the college’s 167th Commencement May 7 at the Rapides Coliseum in Alexandria, Letlow shared how her faith in Christ sustained her after her husband, Luke, died from COVID-19 complications, Dec. 29, 2020. He was just five days from taking office after he had won the election the month before to succeed Ralph Abraham, who retired from Congress. She later won the seat in a special election in March 2021. “The Holy Spirit stepped in to sustain me in the hard days that followed after Luke's death, to take my next breath, to put one foot in front of the other, to care for my children, and to eventually run for the same seat held by my husband, in order to continue a dream that the Lord put in both our hearts: to serve this community,” she said. “It was during this immensely difficult time in my life that the Lord showed me that two things can be true at once. “A person can be full of grief and still choose hope for the future,” she continued. “And it is that message of hope put into action that I want to impart … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) - During its May 3 meeting, the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board received updates on Cooperative Program giving and the ongoing work of the four convention entities. BUDGET REPORT Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told board members that gifts through the Cooperative Program from January to April totaled $514,944.68 more than budgeted for 2022, so far. He added that churches, from January to April, have given $344,009.75 more this year than the same timeframe as last year. ENTITY REPORTS Louisiana Christian University President Rick Brewer shared that the school has been blessed by God since he last spoke to the Board. During the 2021-22 academic year, LCU celebrated: accreditation reaffirmation with no findings of non-compliance from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (the regional accrediting body); a name change to reflect its status as a university; transition in sports classification from the NCAA to NAIA; updates to classrooms; a partnership expansion with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; and the sale of its building in Shreveport that was to house a law school that never … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LECOMPTE, La. (LBM) – Stewart Holloway has fond memories of attending various events and later serving on staff with First Baptist Church, Lecompte. But not long after he returned to the area in 2008 to pastor First Baptist Church, Pineville, Holloway noticed his former church needed revitalization. Now, FBC Lecompte has merged with FBC Pineville, with the final vote held at both campuses, May 1. Holloway told the Baptist Message he was overjoyed at the bittersweet decision made by the Lecompte congregation and is hopeful for what lies ahead for the two bodies that now are one. “We are really excited about what God has in store for both campuses as we move forward,” Holloway said. “This is my home church and I have been concerned about them. When I first went to seminary, I compared everything to First Baptist Lecompte and I was so proud of what that church was doing. To see them decline was disappointing. “When they approached us earlier this year, I was very excited about that because I could see the potential they had,” he continued. “In fact, that church has way more potential than they and others may realize. Though it will take it a lot of work to get the … [Read more...]