By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) — A diverse lineup of ECON 2022 speakers, ranging from an atheist-turned-best selling author to state leaders to national personalities, exhorted Louisiana Baptists gathered in the First Baptist Church, Covington, January 24-25, to join the fight to share the Gospel. KEITH MANUEL Louisiana Baptist Evangelism and Church Growth Team Director Keith Manuel encouraged the crowd to share the Gospel with their families, co-workers and community. “Let’s go do it because people need Jesus,” Manuel said. “Do it because we can and we get to and because we really got to because we’ve got a Lord that loved us.” “Let’s pray that God will help us to see those varied people in our neighborhood,” he continued. “Let’s tell them about Jesus.” STEVE BECKHAM Steve Beckham opened ECON by proclaiming Christ followers not only need to confess their sins but also find restoration of joy. Drawing his message from Psalm 51:1-12, Beckham, pastor of First Community Antioch Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, said David was confronted by Nathan the prophet about his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and his subsequent murder of her husband. Much like David, Louisiana … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SULPHUR, La. (LBM) – For several months, Addisyn Brattain had been a faithful attender of Maplewood First Baptist Church when her student minister, Nathan Yates, challenged the youth group to truly follow Christ. Brattain knew about Jesus, but it was not until that summertime Wednesday evening that she finally understood what it meant to be committed to Him. During a worship service, Sept. 26, she shared her decision before friends and family through baptism. “It was like a breath of fresh air being born again,” Brattain told the Baptist Message. She also said she was excited “to be surrounded by family and friends” to celebrate her baptism. “I can’t wait to see what plans God has for me in the future,” Brattain added. YOUTH MOVEMENT Brattain was one of 62 students who made decisions to follow Christ in 2021. Twenty-five of those were baptized last year, 22 are awaiting baptism and the remaining 15 are being discipled about baptism. Most of the decisions took place during summer camp and a “Disciple Now” weekend, but the student ministry also reaped spiritual fruit at a Wednesday night event in October that featured former American Ninja Warrior contestant … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer METAIRIE, La. (LBM) –Hurricane Ida wreaked significant damage to five of Celebration Church’s eight campus facilities and hundreds of members’ homes, Aug. 29, 2021. But instead of pausing, the congregation has pressed forward in ministry, despite substantial repair needs. “Serving our community has been a part of our DNA for a long time,” Celebration Church Lead Pastor Dennis Watson told the Baptist Message. “For most of our history we have talked about how we exist to bring honor and glory to God and to help people in the communities around us. We tell people when they join our church, we expect them to serve in the church or community, or both. Our people, in the midst of their own personal challenges and tragedies, continue to reach out to help others.” COVID STRUGGLES Like other Louisiana Baptist congregations, Celebration Church was not immune from the impacts of COVID. In January 2020, Celebration Church averaged 7,000 in combined worship attendance at its eight campuses in the New Orleans area and Northshore. But two months later, COVID-related safety concerns caused the church to move to online-only worship. When in-person services resumed, June 2020, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PELICAN POINT, Bahamas (LBM) – A Louisiana Baptist-led effort to help St. Matthew Baptist Church rebuild three years after Hurricane Dorian leveled their facility is nearing completion. According to Stan Statham, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief strategist, 90 percent of the work has been completed on the Pelican Point facilities. Remaining work includes installation of doors, air conditioning system and restrooms. Leaders are anticipating an April dedication of the facility. “Our volunteers and churches have committed to seeing this rebuild ministry through to completion for the glory of God,” Statham told the Baptist Message. St. Matthew Baptist is one of nine Baptist churches (there are a total of 13 Baptist churches on the island) severely damaged or destroyed by the storm that packed 185- mile per hour winds at the height of Hurricane Dorian on Sept. 2, 2019. Louisiana is among several states participating in ‘Bahama Rebuild,’ a partnership with the International Mission Board and Baptist Global Response. Louisiana and Mississippi have sent numerous teams to rebuild the church while the Baptist state conventions of Alabama and North Carolina are sending … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Leon Hyatt, former Louisiana Baptist Convention president and a missions services staff member, died Wednesday, Jan. 26. He was 95. GOD & COUNTRY A native of Lake Charles, Hyatt, at nine years old, surrendered his life to Christ and was baptized at Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles. A year later, God used the Royal Ambassador ministry at Trinity to call Hyatt to the ministry. Before launching into his lifetime of vocational service to God, Hyatt enlisted in the U.S. Army and was awarded the Purple Heart after he was injured in the battle to liberate Wingen sur Moder, Alcase, France, from Nazi control. After completing his military service in 1946, Hyatt enrolled at Louisiana College and then was called as pastor of Gillis First Baptist Church, Lake Charles. He also was pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church, Baton Rouge (1949-1955), First Baptist Church, Houma (1955-1976) and Pineville Grace Baptist Church, Libuse (2002-2011). As a member of the LBC missions staff (1976-1993), Hyatt served, at separate times, as language missions director, Cooperative Missions director and as church extension director. He also was active in other areas of Southern Baptist life, including … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Paul Allbritton wanted to use his financial knowledge as a ministry when he became manager of the Baptist Employees of Louisiana Credit Union in 2010. Allbritton, who will retire, Feb. 14, from what is now the Louisiana Baptist Federal Credit Union, is grateful for the opportunity God has given him to help hundreds of members obtain car loans, refinance high interest rate credit card loans and receive financial advice based on biblical precepts. “My time here has been very rewarding,” Allbritton told the Baptist Message. “I’ve loved working with people over these years and have enjoyed helping members who sometimes may not have been able to get help in other places.” Allbritton, a native of Shreveport, previously worked at three other credit unions: Alexandria USDA Credit Union, Pineville (vice president of lending, 1988-2006); Willis-Knighton Federal Credit Union, Shreveport (president/CEO, 2007-2009); and Heart of Louisiana Federal Credit Union, Pineville (formerly Alexandria USDA FCU; collections manager, 2009-2010). When he assumed his BELCU role in 2010, membership was restricted to employees of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and its … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke PINEVILLE, La. (LC news) - Louisiana Christian University had announced a redesign to its Schaeffer Scholarship program to address some of the critical challenges facing today’s college students. President Rick Brewer, who has started several lecture series and conferences over the last six years to address current spiritual and political issues facing today’s church and young people, has enlisted four professors to really dig deep into some of the hot-button crises in today’s culture. “We want our students to be presented with a strong biblical world view on current issues,” Brewer said. Professors Joshua Joy Dara, Wade Warren, Justin Langford and Natalie Maxey have created video lectures on four different cultural topics for Schaeffer scholars, as they go through A Student’s Guide to Culture by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle. “Louisiana Christian University is passionately devoted to the intersection of faith and learning through academic instruction and spiritual and cultural events each semester,” said Langford, dean of the School of Mission and Ministries. To that end, Langford said, the format of the scholarship requirements has been redesigned to align with this focus more closely. The approach, … [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 in[1]formation three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Kade McKee is the new youth minister at Christ’s Community Church, Denham Springs. n Roy (Thumper) Miller is the new pastor at Open Door Fellowship, Coushatta. Steve Bennett is retiring on January 31 after 55 years in ministry. He has pastored churches in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and New York. He is retiring from First Baptist Church, Moss Bluff as Pastor Emeritus. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Haynesville: Revival, January 30-February 2, 6 p.m. nightly. Evangelist: Bill Britt. Worship: Mark Lanier. Pastor: Jeff Tinsley. First Baptist Church, Lafayette: Ignite 22, February 6-9, Sunday, 9:30 & 11 a.m., 6 p.m., College night, 7 p.m.; Monday: 6 p.m., Student night; Revival service, 7 p.m.; Tuesday 6 p.m., Family night, 7 p.m., Revival service; Wednesday, 6 p.m., steak night, 7 p.m., Revival … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WEST MONROE, La. (LBM) – Ouachita Baptist Church recently celebrated the retirement of $735,000 in debt on their worship center and fellowship hall. Members rejoiced during a special note-burning service, Jan. 9, especially noting God’s faithfulness to them during the six-year journey. “I’m just so proud of my church and what God did through them,” Pastor Mike Holloway told the Baptist Message. “The financial burden is lifted, and the future is bright. We are not the church we were five years ago, but we aren’t the church we are going to be five years from now.” When Holloway arrived as pastor in January 2016, the church was struggling to pay the monthly note. A year later, Holloway presented “2020 Vision,” a plan to retire the remaining debt of $500,000 within four years. COVID caused a one-year delay in reaching the goal, but the note was paid in full, Jan. 9. Ray Anding, a member of the church since its founding 37 years ago, was honored to be one of the two members who paid off the remaining $30,000 prior to the note-burning service. “Everybody was clap[1]ping; we were on cloud nine,” Anding said. “We remembered how God has blessed our church. Prayer and reaching … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Miranda Underwood walked into the CENLA Pregnancy Center scared and in denial that she was pregnant. But she walked out with hope and a life-giving mindset. “The first day I found out I was pregnant, abortion crossed my mind, but I knew it was never the right thing to do,” Underwood told the Baptist Message. “When I walked into the CENLA Pregnancy Center, I was at the darkest moment in my life. But when I left, I knew it would be the greatest moment and everything would be okay.” DISCOVERING HOPE Underwood was told by others that she would struggle to succeed as a single mother. Unsure where to turn, she reached out to family members, who referred her to the CENLA Pregnancy Center. She said the February 2020 visit changed her life. The staff encouraged her and gave her a journal entitled “Hope.” Importantly, they shared a photo of baby Phaelyn that was taken by ultrasound; and she realized at that moment everything would be okay. “It was a sign from God that this was meant to be,” she said. “Everything happens for a reason. “I appreciate what each lady has done, from the smiles to being very sweet to being there for me in my most … [Read more...]