By KAREN L. WILLOUGHBY, Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA – The Cooperative Program percentage given to national causes by Louisiana Southern Baptists remained at 36.49 percent for 2011, voted messengers without discussion at the 163rd annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, which met Nov. 15-16 at the Riverfront Center in Alexandria. It was a budget trimmed to $21,284,217, down $1,258,940 from the $22,543,157 budget of 2010. Messengers also approved, again without discussion, 10 resolutions: appreciation for those involved in annual meeting preparations; continuing confidence in and appreciation for the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation; standing with Christians who deal with persecution; commitment to the centrality of the gospel; encouragement for those involved with non-smoking policy efforts; lament for the deaths of the 11 Deepwater Horizon workers and all who have died or suffered injury while working offshore; encouragement for family worship; support for marriage; opposition to changing current law regarding homosexuals in the military; and opposition to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. [img_assist|nid=6874|title=Louisiana Baptist Convention President Rod Masteller listens intently to Al Mohler, … [Read more...]

By KAREN L. WILLOUGHBY, Managing Editor AMITE – The plaque from the International Mission Board recently received by First Baptist Church of Amite was a surprise, said Mike Foster, pastor since 2005. The response of the congregation to his challenge a year ago was “overwhelming,” he added. First Amite averages about 128 in Sunday School, and 250 in worship. Yet they gave $61,120 to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions last year, and this year received a plaque from the IMB saying that in 2009 they were 183rd in giving out of all Southern Baptist churches. “There was a lot of news last year about giving being down, and missionaries who were ready and willing were not able to go to the mission field because giving was down,” Foster said. “Then I read an article by Jerry Rankin saying it costs approximately $43,000 to sustain a missionary for one year, so I challenged our church to send a missionary to the field. In three weeks we raised more than $43,000 to go along with what we would eventually take up for our Lottie Moon challenge First Amite’s usual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal is $25,000. This in addition to its $15,000 goal for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and $12,000 goal for … [Read more...]

By KAREN L. WILLOUGHBY, Managing Editor LAFAYETTE – For the first time in 20 years, all the East Bayou Baptist “church family,” as Pastor Mike Walker calls them, gathered together at the same time, Sunday morning, Nov. 14. Some 2,100 children through adults regularly meet in 10 venues, at two times, in two locations, at what informally is known as “The Bayou.” (A ‘venue’ is a location, such as the on-site coffee shop, with multiple flat screen televisions airing the preaching; the venue provides its own live music.) On Nov. 14, the congregation gathered in a circus-sized tent on the 19-acre property. They came together to celebrate what God has done so far at the 42-year-old church – 26 with Walker as pastor – and look forward “with great expectation to what He will call us to do in the days ahead,” the pastor said. [img_assist|nid=6878|title=The East Bayou Baptist, Lafayette congregation recently gathered in a circus-sized tent for the first time in 20 years.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=67]“God led us to build our current facility in 2002,” Walker wrote in the worship guide passed out as people entered the tent. “When we were done, we were $8.8 million in debt. Because of the faithful giving of our people … [Read more...]

Editor’s note: Executive Director David Hankins gave the following as his report during the 2010 annual meeting, using Romans 1:1-5; 16 as his scriptural reference. Mission statements are very popular among our churches. Taking a cue from business, we realize we need to articulate what it is we are trying to accomplish. Mission statements serve to declare, remind, and focus our aims and goals. The apostle Paul planned on going to Rome to make it the western base of operations. In Romans 1, he sets out his plan and purpose, “set apart for the gospel of God.” Allow me to remind us of our LBC mission: LBC is a gospel organization created, guided and supported by gospel churches  for gospel goals. What are the implications of the gospel of God for Christians and what is its apologetic intent? [img_assist|nid=6872|title=Executive Director David Hankins makes a point during his report to messengers at the 2010 annual meeting|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=67|height=100] The gospel of God is particular in its content. Verses 2-4 conclude that this gospel is centered in Jesus Christ our Lord, who was prophesied, identified and ratified.  All of Paul’s ministry hinges on the reality of Jesus as the promised Messiah, … [Read more...]

Editor’s note: Executive Director David Hankins gave the following as his report during the 2010 annual meeting, using Romans 1:1-5; 16 as his scriptural reference. Mission statements are very popular among our churches. Taking a cue from business, we realize we need to articulate what it is we are trying to accomplish. Mission statements serve to declare, remind, and focus our aims and goals. The apostle Paul planned on going to Rome to make it the western base of operations. In Romans 1, he sets out his plan and purpose, “set apart for the gospel of God.” Allow me to remind us of our LBC mission: LBC is a gospel organization created, guided and supported by gospel churches  for gospel goals. What are the implications of the gospel of God for Christians and what is its apologetic intent? [img_assist|nid=6872|title=Executive Director David Hankins makes a point during his report to messengers at the 2010 annual meeting|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=67|height=100] The gospel of God is particular in its content. Verses 2-4 conclude that this gospel is centered in Jesus Christ our Lord, who was prophesied, identified and ratified.  All of Paul’s ministry hinges on the reality of Jesus as the promised Messiah, … [Read more...]

On Expression of Appreciation WHEREAS, many individuals and groups have had a part in planning, preparing and conducting the 163rd annual meeting of our Louisiana Baptist Convention; and WHEREAS, the messengers of this convention desire to warmly recognize and express appreciation to the following: Mark Jones, Facilities Director, Julie Bayone, Sales Manager, and the staff of the Riverfront Convention Center, Alexandria, for their assistance with details and for providing the use of the facilities for this annual meeting; and Rod Masteller, Convention President, for his warm, gracious spirit in leading, speaking and listening to Louisiana Baptists during the year, and his gentle firmness in moderating this annual meeting; and; Jeremy Christ, Music Director for this annual meeting, for planning and coordinating the music, and the musicians for their dedicated service at the instruments; and Mike Miller and members of the Order of Business Committee for planning this informative and inspirational annual meeting; and Crossover Alexandria/Pineville, and its volunteers for their provision of pre-evangelistic outreach and we pray for those who made decisions for Christ during the Crossover events. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, … [Read more...]

REPORTS OF CONVENTION COMMITTEES REPORT OF CONVENTION COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES The President of the Convention is an ex officio member of all Convention Committees. Names of persons being nominated for election or re-election are underlined.  Others are continuing their terms of service.                    COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS Term Expiring 2011             Term Expiring 2012             Term Expiring 2013 Brad Bunting (VC)                Joe Alain (C)                       Marion Spence Midway, Jena                       Hebron, Denham Springs       Baskin, Baskin George Guillory                    David Goza                         Josh Adams Glen Oaks, Baton Rouge       Jefferson, Baton Rouge         St. Landry, St. Landry Todd Free First, Dubach COMMITTEE ON LOUISIANA BAPTIST HISTORY Term Expiring 2011               Term Expiring 2012              Term Expiring 2013 *    Mary Broussard                  Jimmy Brossette            *    Buddy Hampton Hebron, Denham Springs   First, Dupont                        First, Eunice *    Steven Robertson (VC)    * Joe McKeever (C)           *    Pat Lofton Harmony Grove, Dodson     First, Kenner                        First, Delhi Ex Officio Members: Officers … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=6884|title=Officers elected at 2010 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=67] Messengers unanimously re-elected President Rod Masteller (left) pastor of Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport, and unanimously elected as first and second vice presidents Rick Byargeon (right), pastor of Temple Baptist Church of Ruston, and Jason Hoychick (center), pastor of Elwood Baptist Church of Forest Hill. [img_assist|nid=6885|title=2011 Pastors Conference officers|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=67]Elected as 2011 Pastors Conference officers were (from left) Mike Walker, pastor of East Bayou Baptist Church in Lafayette; Collin Wimberly, pastor of Parkview Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, vice-president; and Matt Cate, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Minden, secretary-treasurer. [img_assist|nid=6886|title=Exemplary Bi-vocational Smaller Church Pastor of the Year plaque award given to Brian Ray|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=67]Lee Dickson, Director of Missions for District Eight, presents Brian Ray, pastor of First Baptist Church of Robeline, and his wife Christi with the Exemplary Bi-vocational Smaller Church Pastor of the Year plaque for … [Read more...]

By John Yeats, Director of LBC Communications In the last half of this decade there appears to be a discovery like that of a lost pearl, a nugget of truth hidden but now revealed in these latter days. The discovery is a renewed application of Matthew 24:14, “This good news of the Kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.” (HCSB) [img_assist|nid=6830|title=John Yeats Director of LBC Communications|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=79|height=100]Seems the news of this discovery was heard first in Richmond, then in Nashville and throughout the Southern Baptist Convention. Announce it far and wide that once every nation (ethno-linguistic group) hears the gospel message, then all the signs are fulfilled and the Lord Jesus will return, the Day of the Lord will appear. This theme has been repeated in many sectors of Southern Baptist life. For example, in September, the SBC Executive Committee heard SBC president Bryant Wright appeal to the Southern Baptist Convention and state conventions to “re-prioritize” their outreach to the nations. “What Christ is concerned about is that we preach the gospel to every people group on earth,” Wright said. “That means that … [Read more...]

By Jake Roudkovski, Director of Supervised Ministry New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Editor’s note: In part 1, Dr. Roudkovski looked at the history of revivals in the Southern Baptist Convention. That column remains available on www.baptistmessage.com. (Search for Dr. Roudkovski’s name.) To recap: The term revival is defined as the sovereign movement of God through the work of the Holy Spirit in revitalizing the believers in Jesus Christ to a more vital spiritual life, work, and witness. Revival meetings refer to a period of time set aside by a church or churches for the purpose of spiritual revitalization and/or evangelism. … In a classic resource on the history of revival meetings in Southern Baptist life, Chuck Kelley asserted that revivalism was one of the major factors that contributed to the enormous growth of the denomination in the past. … In 1866, the SBC instructed the Home Mission Board [now NAMB] to make evangelism its major work and promote a comprehensive system of evangelism, including the appointment of evangelists. … [img_assist|nid=6756|title=Jake Roudkovski|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=82|height=100]C.E. Matthews’ plan, when implemented in the convention [in the late 1930s], ushered in … [Read more...]