By Message Staff DOYLINE – Making a commitment to its future, First Baptist Church of Doyline dedicated a new children’s building Sept. 13. The congregation broke ground in March, two years after focusing on a week of prayer about the possibility of a new children’s building. The church set goals they met along the way and by the time of the dedication and ribbon cutting, the building was finished debt-free. Long-range planning committee chairman Larry Dean said. “We felt like the children are the future of the church,” Dean said. “If we don’t provide a place for the kids, we won’t have a church.” The new 40 ft by 100 ft building was constructed at a cost of $400,000. It includes a foyer, nursery, classroom space, an assembly room, bathrooms and kitchenette. Of the 80 who attend church services on Sunday morning, 20 are children. Dean is optimistic about what the future holds. “We want to give God all the glory,” Dean said. “We couldn’t have done it without God.” … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH – Baptist roots run deep through Cecil Gassiott’s blood. He is a member at Calvary Baptist Church in Woodworth and went to Rapides High School in Lecompte with John Hebert, missions and ministry director for Louisiana Baptists. So when the chance to donate manpower and use of his crane for laying trusses for the Georgia Barnette Conference Center became available, Gassiott knew this was an opportunity too good to pass up. “I have been so, so blessed through the years doing a few volunteer projects that I try not to miss one,” said Gassiott, a general contractor in Alexandria. “The end result winds up being so much more fruitful than any paying job can be. Just one ‘anything’ from God can change your life and your business. Plus, this job is at home and we’re working with friends.” The crane began operating around 7 a.m. Aug. 24 at Tall Timbers Conference Center and Gassiott’s crane finished on Sept. 3, but not without a small setback that was quickly resolved. Two days into the laying of trusses, the team on site discovered the pieces were slightly taller than what was needed. But Rogers Manufacturing Corporation in West Monroe, the company that built the … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Stephen Jennings is the new associate pastor of music and worship at Colyell Baptist Church, Livingston. Michael Shamblin is the new pastor at Emmanuel, Lake Charles. John Astling is the new pastor at University Baptist Church, Lake Charles. Wayne (wife Michelle) DeSlattes is new as pastor at Kingston Road Baptist Church, Shreveport. Jeremy (wife Julie) Shepherd is the new pastor at Pineville Park Baptist Church, Pineville. Jacob (wife Amanda) is new as minister of local ministry evangelism at Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport. Robbie Briggs is new minister of music at New Hope Baptist Church, DeQuincy. Tommie Hodge from New Hope, DeQuincy, to Pine Terrace Baptist Church, Milton, FL. Luke Hand is new youth and family pastor at Amite Baptist Church, Denham Springs. Bill Stroud is the interim pastor at Caddo Prairie Baptist Church, Hosston. Pat Lofton has been called as the interim pastor at Tillou Baptist Church, Bastrop. Daniel (wife Sarah) Guaglairdo is the new youth minister at Central Baptist Church, Springhill. Jeffery Triplet (wife Dianna) is the new youth minister at First Baptist Church, Haynesville. HOMECOMING Vick Baptist Church: Celebrating 100th Homecoming, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WEST MONROE – A few hundred members of First West recently celebrated the baptism of 31 fellow members down by the riverside. One of two river baptisms the church holds each year, First West held River Fest on a mid-August afternoon that resembled a true celebration by the Ouachita River. Nearly 600 people were present to witness the baptisms and take part in games, music, inflatables for the kids and a catered catfish supper. “There was a lot of energy, as people were super excited to get baptized,” said Christopher Trombatore, student pastor at First West. “We had people from every age range and socio-economic class. It was just a really neat day for our church and the people who were baptized.” For Trombatore, River Fest was extra special. The last person he baptized was Caleb Adams, a member of the youth group when Trombatore was student minister at Tom Hebert Road Baptist Church in Lake Charles. Now an intern for the student ministry at First West, Adams believed he had made a decision when he was younger and was baptized. However, as a teenager, Adams realized his true need for Christ but had not followed through with believer’s baptism. Adams told Trombatore he knew … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE – In the wake of the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s claims that the chaplaincy program at Louisiana State University is unconstitutional, Mike Johnson, chief counsel of Freedom Guard, has offered to defend the school pro-bono. Officials from FFRF released a report on Aug. 17 entitled “Pray To Play: Christian coaches and chaplains are converting football fields into mission fields.” In the 25-page report, which was followed by a letter sent to LSU and other schools including several in the Southeastern Conference, the organization that focuses on separation of church and state said public universities and their employees are forbidden from endorsing, promoting or favoring religion. “Yet, many football coaches at public universities bring in chaplains—often from their own church or even members of their own family—to prey on and pray with students, with no regard for the rights of those students or the Constitution,” the report said. “These coaches are converting playing fields into mission fields and public universities are doing nothing to halt this breach of trust. They are failing their student athletes. The purpose of this report is to expose this … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA/PINEVILLE – The wife of presidential candidate Mike Huckabee visited Central Louisiana today, sharing her thoughts on the need for prayer, the condition of America and her husband’s bid for the highest elected office in the United States. Janet Huckabee’s Wednesday morning began early as she did a radio interview at a local station, attended the prayer meeting at the Louisiana Baptist Building in Alexandria and ending her morning by talking to a group of students and pastors at Louisiana College in Pineville. During her message at the Baptist Building, Huckabee said if everyone in the room had a chance to sit at the table with George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Jesus Christ and discuss the state of the country, what would they say to them. “Would you be able to say anything at all and would we be able to honestly say we are doing everything in our power to give our children and ,yes, our grandchildren back a better America then where we grew up,” said Huckabee, a native of Lake Charles. “I think I would probably say we might not be able to do that.” Later, Huckabee shared the importance of having a team of 10 ladies praying for her on a daily basis. This team prays for such requests … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Harry, wife Brooke, Brown is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Ringgold. Justin Hardin is the new minister of youth at Beulah Land Baptist Church, Haughton. Brandon, wife Lacey, Lewis is new minister of youth at First Baptist Church, Haughton. Tom Descant is the new associate pastor to families at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Franklinton. Scott Teutsch is the new interim pastor at Plain Dealing Baptist Church, Plain Dealing. Tom Cole is the new music minister at Shreve City, Shreveport. Jeff Triplett is the new youth minister at First Baptist Church, Haynesville. Joe Bob Alexander is the new interim pastor at Ferry Lake Baptist Church, Oil City. Mark Caruso is the new associate pastor/youth minister at Pine Grove Baptist Church, Livingston. HOMECOMING Red River Baptist Church, Benton: 166th anniversary and homecoming celebration, Aug. 30, 10:45 a.m. Speaker: Wayne Dubose. Morning worship celebration will be followed by dinner on the grounds. All former members, pastors and staff are welcome to attend. Pastor: Josh Cagle. Bethel Baptist Church, Colfax: Homecoming, Sunday, Aug. 30, 10:45 a.m. Following the morning service there will be covered-dish dinner and fellowship in the Family Life Center. … [Read more...]