EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Home[1]coming, 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@baptist[1]message.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your informa[1]tion three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Justin, wife Alisha, Clark is the new cam[1]pus pastor at First West Fairbanks. Andrew Orr is the new education minister and wife Tracy Orr is the new children’s minister at Blanchard First Baptist Church from Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville. Jerod, wife Jessica, Gann is the new student pastor at Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport. Stuart Graves has resigned as pastor at Red River Baptist Church, Benton. Micah Murrell is new pastor at NOW church, a church plant in Grant Parish. Jonathan Murrell is new worship leader at NOW church, a church plant in Grant Parish from HIS Church, Pineville. Matt Johns is interim music director at HIS Church, Pineville. Roger Dunlap is the new pastor at Macedonia Baptist Church, Holden. Marty Eaves was ordained into the Gospel ministry … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Prayer is a necessity to spark revival within each person, David Cranford said in his 2021 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting presidential address, Nov. 16, in the North Monroe Baptist Church. Drawing from Matthew 6:5-15, Cranford, pastor of First Baptist Church, Ponchatoula, said God has given His children a model to follow in their prayer lives. He said prayer is a practical privilege and refreshingly simple, adding that it involves alone time with God and demonstrates a yielding faith. Cranford said prayer helps center one’s life on God and His Kingdom. He explained that Christ followers live in a time when it is increasingly difficult to be unplugged, but he stressed the importance of intentionally seeking time alone with God. “God wants to change us,” he said. “God wants to transform us. Prayer doesn’t change God. It changes you. So, it then becomes consistent for God to do what he wants to do anyway and that is to change the human heart.” Prayer is not complicated and does not require a secret formula, Cranford said. He encouraged messengers to have a more focused prayer life. “What’s the best way to pray?” he said. “The best way … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Messengers to the 2021 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 16, in North Monroe Baptist Church, heard encouraging updates from the state’s four entities and two special reports. LCU In his report, President Rick Brewer celebrated the board of trustees’ unanimous vote, Oct. 25, to change the school’s name to Louisiana Chris[1]tian University. He said it will strengthen the educational institution’s reputation and further advance the Kingdom of God. He said the university remains committed to preparing graduates and transforming lives, adding that since the start of the fall semester, 47 students have accepted Christ. Brewer said LCU has launched the Center for LBC entity and special reports offer good news to messengers Calling and Career for students seeking internships, career advice and information about jobs available in their areas of studies. The center also helps students gain an understanding of how their values and spiritual gifts should be assessed to fully know what God is calling them to do in their lives and careers. “We are preparing students to think Christianly and preparing them for life,” Brewer said. “Transformed … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn in his report at the 2021 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 16 at North Monroe Baptist Church, issued a challenge for revival and outlined a plan to be more engaged in the prevention of sexual abuse in the church. ADDRESSING REVIVAL Horn encouraged messengers to participate in ‘Change Me,’ a 28-day personal revival guide he authored based on Psalm 139:23-24. “I believe our churches and our nation have no problems that humility before God and His Word would not fix immediately,” Horn said. Horn said revival is needed because, like the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness, today’s Christ followers are stiff necked, impatient, tempted to follow people rather than God, filled with pride and desperately need God’s blessing. “During the COVID quarantine, the Lord put on my heart this message: ‘Change me,’” Horn said. “I can’t change anyone else. I can’t change our circumstances. I can’t change much, but I can ask the Lord to change me. “What came from that was a 28-day resource,” he continued. “I want to invite you to join me. I want to ask you to spend 28 days as this year … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – During the 2021 Louisiana Baptist Pastor’s Conference, Nov. 15, in the North Monroe Baptist Church, Monroe, speakers offered words of encouragement and conviction to pastors. TITUS WHITE Titus White, pastor of Grace Community Church, Baton Rouge, spoke during the opening session from Daniel 3:13-14, 25 to urge the crowd to stand firm on the Word of God. He pointed to the faithfulness of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, who refused to bow to the image of gold made by King Nebuchadnezzar. He said they were brave in the midst of captivity, united in the midst of conformity and safe in the midst of captivity – and their obedience was rewarded. “God has given them a platform of persecution to stand before men so God could get the glory,” White said. “We’ve got to understand God sometimes puts us in a platform of persecution that God can get the glory out of our lives. They did not bend or bow. They stood firm on the Word of God.” EDDIE WREN Eddie Wren, pastor of First Baptist Church, Rayville, reminded pastors they can find peace and joy in Jesus. Preaching from Philippians 4, Wren said if pastors are going to stand firm they must worship, … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke PINEVILLE, LA (LC news) -- Internationally renowned author and biblical apologist Ken Ham will be Louisiana Christian University’s speaker at its 6th Annual Values & Ethics Series on Nov. 10-11. Ham is the CEO and founder of Answers in Genesis, the Creation Museum in Cincinnati, and the Noah’s Ark Exhibit in Kentucky. He will speak on two issues of great currency in America today. Wednesday evening, he will present “Divided Nation: Cultures in Chaos & A Conflicted Church. Thursday morning, Ham will speak on “One Race One Blood: Dealing with ‘Races and Racism.” “We are pleased to host Ken Ham for the College’s 6th Annual Values & Ethics Series,” said President Rick Brewer. “Mr. Ham’s commitment to serious-minded Christianity is needed in our current cultural moment. At LCU, we believe there is no space for anti-intellectualism for there is nothing irrelevant to Christ and the Gospel.” Ham is well-known for emphasizing the relevance and authority of the book of Genesis to the life of the average Christian. The public is encouraged to attend this free event in Guinn Auditorium on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m., and Thursday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. … [Read more...]