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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Christine Gill answers the call as Louisiana Baptists’ new WMU strategist

By Philip Timothy, Managing editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Christine Gill didn’t go looking for the job; the job came looking for her. “I learned about the pending retirement of Janie (Wise, Women’s Mission & Ministry strategist) in October when I was at a minister’s wives retreat at Tall Timbers,” said Gill. “I remember thinking to myself who would be able to do that job?” Little did she realize but God already had the answer. “When they were seeking applicants, I didn’t apply. My name, though, was given to John Hebert who reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in the position,” said Gill. “I was shocked but excited to be given this opportunity. “I always have had a heart for women and a call to missions,” Gill continued. “So, when John called with the news I was shocked but excited.” The forty-two-year-old former IMB missionary was chosen to become the new Women’s Missions & Ministry strategist on Tuesday, Dec. 22, to replace Wise upon her retirement. “I am pleased to announce that Christine will begin her ministry here Jan. 1, 2022,” said John Hebert, director of Missions and Ministry for Louisiana Baptists. “I spoke with WMU leaders across the state and asked them to describe what … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist DR unit activated to hard hit Kentucky

By Baptist Message staff MURRAY, Ky. (LBM) - A Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief shower unit has begun serving in Murray, Kentucky, one of several communities devastated by a series of tornadoes last weekend. According to Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief strategist Stan Statham, the team from Mt. Olive Baptist Association arrived Dec. 14. They are stationed at First Baptist Church, Murray. The Louisiana Baptist Convention also has donated tarps, furring strips and financial gifts. Statham encouraged Louisiana Baptists to pray and, if led, give financially to help those in a state that has helped with disaster relief efforts in Louisiana. The Associated Press reported that 74 were confirmed dead and another 100 were missing after the tornadoes touched down in the state over the weekend. “The last two years getting hit hard ourselves we know what it’s like in moments of need,” Statham said. “We continue to pray and be sensitive to their needs.” To give to DR efforts in Kentucky visit https://louisianabaptists.org/missions-ministry/disaster-relief/donate/ … [Read more...]

Pastors celebrate defeat of Slidell casino

By Baptist Message staff SLIDELL, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist pastors in St. Tammany Parish rejoiced about the resounding vote, Dec. 11, against a proposal that would have brought casino gambling into Slidell. By a margin of 63 percent against (37,664 “nays”) and 37 percent for (22,031 “yeas”), voters rejected a proposal to build a $325 million casino complex in an area east of the I-10 interchange in Oak Harbor. DAVID DEFEATS GOLIATH The Slidell project was proposed by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, also known as P2E, which owns one of the 15 approved riverboat casinos permitted in Louisiana (for a bankrupt and defunct Shreveport casino that they proposed to move to Slidell). Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was among those who backed the proposal. According to WWL-TV, more than $3 million dollars was spent on advertising to get residents to vote in favor of the casino. Opponents spent $1 million to fight against the proposal, WWL reported. Proponents had promised big returns in terms of jobs, economic development and tax revenue. TROUBLED PAST Three years ago, the Los Angeles-based P2E failed in the legislature in their bid to move their now closed Shreveport riverboat casino to … [Read more...]

Pastor celebrates more than seven decades of ministry

By Norm Miller, Special to the Baptist Message GRAND CANE, LA. (LBM) -- Not many pastors celebrate 14 successive years of ministry at one church, and fewer still do so when 89 years-old. Wayne Roberts first preached at Wood Springs Baptist Church in Grand Cane, Louisiana, in a pulpit supply role 14 years ago, he told the Baptist Message. He’s still preaching and his wife Bobbie, 87, still plays the piano, and they both continue to exude spry spirits as well as a deep love for the Lord’s work and His people. “Wood Springs believes in missions,” Wayne said. “We give to home and foreign missions. Our people gave about $100,000 for the new ministry building at Toledo Bend.” The church also helps people in the community after personal tragedies and sickness, and aids those who are in financial straits. “We use God’s money wisely,” Roberts said. “We may be small, but Wood Springs is probably the most mission-minded church we ever served,” his wife added. The pandemic cut worship attendance in half, but about 25 have remained faithful. “Wayne isn’t a longwinded preacher. That’s why the people like him,” she explained. “About 15 minutes is as long as you can keep anybody’s attention,” he reasoned. “I don’t care … [Read more...]

Shawn Kaffka, Camp Harris director, passes away

By Staff, Baptist Message MINDEN, La. (LBM) – Shawn Kaffka, 44, passed away after a tough battle with cancer Dec. 8 in Minden. Services will be held Saturday, Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. at Ruston First Baptist Church in Ruston with Rev. Chris Craig officiating. Interment will follow at Craig Cemetery in El Dorado, Arkansas under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Minden, Louisiana. The family will receive friends at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church prior to the time of the service. Shawn was born March 4, 1977 in Shreveport. A graduate of North DeSoto High School and Louisiana Tech University, he served in multiple ministry roles upon graduation. He was the former associate pastor of students at Cook Baptist Church in Ruston (2010-2015), summer staff director at Acadian Baptist Center in Eunice (April 2015 to August 2015), maintenance worker at the Outdoor Wilderness Learning Center in Dubach (September 2015-October 2016); ministry operation director at Seeker Springs in Eros (October 2016-April 2018) and director of Camper Harris in Minden (April 2018-2021). He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lucille James, Marie and Walter Kaffka and uncle, Kenny James. He is survived by his wife Laurie Kaffka; … [Read more...]

Great Commission champion Janie Wise will retire Dec. 31

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - For the past 33 years, Janie Wise has been on mission to help Louisiana Baptists embrace a Great Commission lifestyle. Wise is set to retire Dec. 31 as Louisiana Baptist women’s missions and ministry strategist, but her quest to further the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth is far from complete. “The greatest highlight has been the opportunity to work with girls who eventually became women that God still is using to make a difference in the world for Him,” Wise told the Baptist Message. “It’s beyond words knowing that I was able to have some part in God’s plan for them.” CALLED Wise’s journey began as a 15-year-old attending an Acteens camp for teenage girls in the New Mexico mountains in 1970. After seeing her cabin mate share the plan of salvation with another camper, Wise realized she had never made her relationship with Christ personal, she said. “I said at that moment, ‘Lord, I need you,’” Wise said. “I have never doubted God since.” A year later, Wise accepted the call to full-time ministry. Over the next 27 years, Wise served the Lord in various capacities including secretary in the brotherhood and evangelism … [Read more...]

Woman renews her faith during celebration of restored facility

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LAKE CHARLES, La. (LBM) – Alexis Benoit was a faithful follower of Christ as a child until, at age 14, she succumbed to the desires of the world. But a recent invitation to attend services at Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles, brought the 22-year-old mother of two children back to church for the first time in eight years, and she renewed her relationship with Christ through baptism, Dec. 5, at a grand opening service of Trinity’s remodeled central venue worship center. “It had been heavy on my heart and mind to take this step,” Benoit told the Baptist Message. “I was sitting in the church service after my baptism and realized all my anxiety and negative thoughts had gone away. I am just trying to be a better example for my kids because they deserve a mom who is deeply committed to Jesus.” RESTORED Benoit was among three believers baptized during the special service, while another three converts stirred the baptismal waters, Dec. 1, during a special prayer and dedication time at the facilities. Since September, Trinity Baptist has baptized 21 persons who have made first time professions of faith, that compares to 29 for the prior 12 months, September 2020 to … [Read more...]