When Sherrie Bumstead spoke at Pine First Baptist Church in Franklinton, the things she had to say about her work as a missionary in Zimbabwe, Africa resonated in the hearts of many of the women in the church. FRANKLINTON – When Sherrie Bumstead spoke at Pine First Baptist Church in Franklinton, the things she had to say about her work as a missionary in Zimbabwe, Africa resonated in the hearts of many of the women in the church. Bumstead, a former neo-natal ICU nurse at Tulane University Hospital in New Orleans, answered a call from God to do mission work in Africa. She is now working at a women’s clinic there and on a recent trip home, she came to Pine First Baptist, which helps sponsor her work in Africa. She showed a video of her work in the clinic and said the newborn babies are in need. Upon being discharged from the clinic after giving birth, the mothers are sent home with two diapers and one blanket. Several of the local ladies said they were so burdened with this need that they began working on it as a mission project about four months ago. Since that time, this small group has made approximately 800 diapers and 150 receiving blankets. Amazingly, they feel the Lord has even provided the materials – … [Read more...]

In today’s economy we must trust God will supply the needs of the people. LAKE CHARLES – In today’s economy we must trust God will supply the needs of the people. Over the last six years, Grace Ministries of Lake Charles, an outreach ministry of the Carey Baptist Association, has been able to provide school uniforms and supplies for 150 to 200 families a year in the Lake Charles area. “We average a little more than 150 families before school starts, and 50 more after school gets underway,” Director of Grace Ministries Gerri Captain said. “Some years we deliver the supplies to the families and other years we have a cook-out or a back-to-school party and hand out the supplies then.” While school does not start in and around Lake Charles until Aug.18, Captain is anxious to see how people and the churches in the association will respond this year, considering the poor economy. “Our associational churches have been our biggest sponsors in this and all of our ministries,” Captain said. “As a matter of fact, I received an offering check right after July 4 from one of our churches. I know God will provide, but I’m still a little anxious to see how people will respond this year.” Area churches can help Grace Ministries … [Read more...]

Summer brings to a Louisiana Baptist’s mind Vacation Bible School, children’s camp, youth camp and other activities and events primarily for non-adults. ALEXANDRIA – Summer brings to a Louisiana Baptist’s mind Vacation Bible School, children’s camp, youth camp and other activities and events primarily for non-adults. But actually, the Louisiana Baptist Convention gives equal time to those past the first blush of youth, with workshops offered in childhood education, music, church finances and more. Workers with infants through fifth grade This weekend – July 24/25 – the Louisiana Baptist Convention and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary are sponsoring a Childhood Education Workshop at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport. A similar workshop will be offered July 27/28 at NOBTS. Already, about 600 church daycare workers, daycare directors, and weekday education teachers, in addition to secular daycare workers and directors, have registered to participate in the training, and there’s room for more, said Kevin Roberts, LBC Childhood Ministry Strategist. His predecessor, Carolle Green, more than 20 years ago started the workshops so children’s education workers could get state certification credits. It grew by … [Read more...]

Freddie Arnold, recently retired from the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans, has returned home to Walker to become associate associational missions coordinator for the Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association. WALKER – Freddie Arnold, recently retired from the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans, has returned home to Walker to become associate associational missions coordinator for the Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association. A native of Walker, Arnold graduated from Walker High School, attended Southeastern Louisiana University for two, and later received his Associate Degree in Religious Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as the Minister of Education at Kingsville Baptist Church in Pineville for 17 years before taking over as a Church Planter Missionary for BAGNO. A position he held for the last 10 years. He officially started his new position on July 6. “Freddie brings with him a wealth of experience in associational ministry, church planting, and disaster relief (being a Blue Cap in Southern Baptist Disaster Relief). His background in church education and church planting will make him a valuable resource to the churches of the association,” wrote David Brown, … [Read more...]

“The Bible is your survival guide when the storms of life weigh you down.” COVINGTON – “The Bible is your survival guide when the storms of life weigh you down.” These words, spoken by Kaitlynn Floyd of Florida at the National Invitational Tournament for youth and high school Bible Drill and youth speakers, were similar to many others spoken during this event in mid-June at First Baptist Covington. At this national event – which took place for the first time ever in Louisiana June 19 – the Bible was lifted high as containing the Holy Words of God. The respect and adulation for the Scriptures brought to light a fervency for God’s Word that was more evident in the 1940s and ’50s than typically it is today. “Youth Bible Drill, Youth Speakers Tournament and High School Bible Drill are probably the greatest discipleship programs we have for students,” said Kevin Boles, youth ministry strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention and chairman of the National Invitational Tournament procedural team. “There is a long-term interaction and relationship with adults who are pouring their lives into students; that makes an impact,” Boles said. “The end result [scripture memorization] is mechanical, but the teaching is … [Read more...]

A church relies heavily on its staff, whether it is the pastor, youth minister, music minister or any other staff member. Yet there is another set of staff that often goes unnoticed, but is vital to the church. A church relies heavily on its staff, whether it is the pastor, youth minister, music minister or any other staff member.  Yet there is another set of staff that often goes unnoticed, but is vital to the church. Ministry assistants, or secretaries, work each day to keep their churches running.  Their duties differ from assistant to assistant and church to church, but they all have one thing in common – service. “Our church secretary does everything from take the trash out to make the bulletins, and everything in between,” said Gene Gibson, pastor of Beulah Land Baptist. Ministry assistant Lori Strange said she primarily assists the lead pastor and worship pastor of Graywood Baptist, but her day-to-day duties would take a few pages to type. Jackie Branscum began working as a ministry assistant in 1977 and is now at Kingston Road Baptist.  “I was told a long time ago by a dear lady that church secretaries wear many different hats,” Jackie Branscum of Kingston Road Baptist said. “We are called upon to do many … [Read more...]

One by one, over the course of the week of July 6, Big Creek, Central Louisiana and North Rapides Baptist Associations met and voted to call Robert A. Daniel as their director of missions. PINEVILLE – One by one, over the course of the week of July 6, Big Creek, Central Louisiana and North Rapides Baptist Associations met and voted to call Robert A. Daniel as their director of missions. Daniel’s last day in the pulpit at Bethel Baptist in Colfax, Big Creek Baptist Association, is to be the first Sunday in August. He has served there since July 2004. Daniel also serves as chairman of the board of trustees for the Louisiana Baptist Message. “Because of Robert’s involvement on our board, I feel like I’ve come to know him pretty well,” saidBaptist Message Editor Kelly Boggs. “He has been on the board since my arrival in 2006 and chair for the past couple of years. “As a leader,” Boggs said, “I have found Robert to be patient, discerning and a man of conviction.” Boggs paused, and added, “He’s a great listener. A native of Arkansas, Daniel graduated from LSU-Shreveport in 1978 with a BS degree in marketing. He graduated in 1997 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with an MDiv degree and a concentration in … [Read more...]

People from all over Louisiana gathered recently to honor Eddie Dehondt, retiring Director of Missions for the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association. SHREVEPORT – People from all over Louisiana gathered recently to honor Eddie Dehondt, retiring Director of Missions for the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association. The dinner, hosted by Summer Grove Baptist Church, began at 4 p.m. on June 16. Dehondt stood by to shake hands and welcome guests as they filed in. Over the course of the evening, more than 100 people came to greet the DOM and his wife, and give them their well-wishes. At 6 p.m., the presentation began. Dehondt and his wife Glenda climbed the steps of the stage to receive the gifts prepared for them. One of the first items was an extremely thick, carefully bound binder filled with letters to the Dehondts from various churches and individuals. Following the giving of giftcards and a check, Mike Canady, director of missions and ministries for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, took his place for the final part of the presentation. “No Director of Missions worth his salt can get away without a special plaque,” Canady said. The LBC leader thanked Dehondt as the plaque changed hands. “I have never seen … [Read more...]

COMINGS AND GOINGS -Robert Daniel (wife Trudy), new as director of missions Central Louisiana, Big Creek, North Rapides  Baptist Associations. -Gary Hahler, resigns Springhill Baptist, Ringgold. -Kevin Celestin, new as pastor of First Baptist, Lockport. -Cecil Marr (wife Pam), new as pastor of Pinecroft Baptist, Shreveport. -Steve Kelly resigns as pastor of First Baptist, Many going to Bayou Vista Baptist, Morgan City. -Roger Whittington (wife Carolyn), new as transitional pastor at Calvary Baptist, Bayou Chicot. ORDINATIONS -MINDEN – First Baptist: Gary Swanson ordained to the gospel ministry July 12; Wayne DuBose, pastor. NEEDED -Bi-vocational music minister at First Baptist, Delhi; call 318.878.3724; fax resume to 318.878.4575; email to fbcdelhi@bayou.com; mail to First Baptist Church, PO Box 5, Delhi LA 71232. -Bi-vocational music director at First Baptist, Jonesboro; send resume to First Baptist Church, Attention: Director of Music Search Committee, 500 S. Cooper Ave., Jonesboro LA 71251. -Pastor at Spring Hill Baptist, Ringgold; email resume to 2flints@bayou.com. ANNIVERSARIES -HAMMOND – New Beulah Baptist: 150th anniversary “Big Celebration” begins Sunday, July 26;  Milton Kliesch, guest … [Read more...]

July 4th always causes a warm stirring of pride for my country. It humbles me to think of the price my heritage cost, thrills me that I was born here and shames me that I don’t do more to defend my freedom. July 4th always causes a warm stirring of pride for my country. It humbles me to think of the price my heritage cost, thrills me that I was born here and shames me that I don’t do more to defend my freedom. My mind goes back to 1492 when a young Christopher Columbus followed a dream and led a scroungy crew of sailors across troubled waters – facing mutiny from his men – pressed on and opened up a world for us here in a new land- making possible the reality of freedom to come. I see Ferdinand Magellan in 1519 on board a small ship, hearing his men moan and groan and threaten to turn back or mutiny. I hear him tell his starving crew, “We’ll go on if we have to eat the leather off this ship!” I see them as they actually do that very thing—boil the leather and eat it. Though Magellan was killed in the Philippines, my mind’s eye watches that little ship appropriately named “Victory” complete its journey round the world and open the gate to freedom a little wider. I move to 1607 and watch Captain John Smith at … [Read more...]