A flurry of church relocations and new starts set the stage for the New Zion Missions Incubator, one of the newest ministries in the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association. BOSSIER CITY – A flurry of church relocations and new starts set the stage for the New Zion Missions Incubator, one of the newest ministries in the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association. The incubator – a place for newer congregations to grow – is anchored by New Zion Baptist Church, an African American church pastored by Philip Williamson, said Eddie DeHondt, director of missions for the association. “Over the years our world view has been broadened as we moved beyond being a small inner city church to a church that now participates in missions,” writes Williamson on New Zion Baptist’s website: www.newzionbaptist.org. The idea for the New Zion Incubator was born from another incubator begun two years ago, the Meadowview Mission Center (MMC), DeHondt said. MMC’s building is used by four fledging congregations: Faith Baptist Fellowship with Pastor Larry Black, Common Ground Fellowship with Pastor Jessie Colston, Iglesia Bautista Antioquia with Pastor Virgillio Tuñon, and Christ Fellowship with Pastor Uriah Oxford. New Zion Baptist, an … [Read more...]

Serving about 115 churches and missions throughout Bossier and Caddo Parishes, this ever-changing association finds its mission statement in Ecclesiastes 4:9-11, which proclaims two are better than one, and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken, said the association’s Director of Missions, Eddie DeHondt. NORTHWEST BAPTIST ASSOCIATION – Serving about 115 churches and missions throughout Bossier and Caddo Parishes, this ever-changing association finds its mission statement in Ecclesiastes 4:9-11, which proclaims two are better than one, and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken, said the association’s Director of Missions, Eddie DeHondt. The two parishes that make up the association have a combined population of close to half a million people, according to a 2005 U.S. Census estimate. Tourists from around the world visit the area for attractions such as festivals, nationally-acclaimed sporting events, art galleries, shopping, specialty foods,  horse racing, riverboat casinos, and more. In addition, the area is a duty station to a significant military population serving at Barksdale Air Force Base in South Bossier. The variety of people groups in the area makes for a variety of missions and churches, DeHondt said. “We … [Read more...]

Truth from God’s Word – specifically Romans 12:21 – has served Director of Missions Eddie DeHondt well in the 43 years he’s been in the ministry, he said. SHREVEPORT — Truth from God’s Word – specifically Romans 12:21 – has served Director of Missions Eddie DeHondt well in the 43 years he’s been in the ministry, he said. The Northwest Baptist Association in the northwest corner of the state has presented DeHondt with a large and ever-changing mission field for the past nine years, he said. The area includes two of Louisiana’s largest cities – Shreveport and Bossier City – and also some of the most rural areas. It’s a part of the state that stretches north to the Arkansas border, and west to the Texas state line. But God’s unchanging Word provides the DOM with the truth and wisdom he needs. “I had a number of families who were once faithful in the church I was pastoring,” said DeHondt, remembering an incident that illustrated God’s truth to him early on. For some reason, the families had ceased to come to church at all, prompting DeHondt to plan a “confrontational visit” with each of them, encouraging them to either become faithful or to find another place to serve, he said. However, before the DOM had gotten through … [Read more...]

More than 170 senior adults from throughout District Eight Baptist Convention in west-central Louisiana gathered May 10 in the late morning cool at Clara Springs Baptist Encampment for fellowship and to honor senior pastors, their wives, and widows of senior pastors. PLEASANT HILL – More than 170 senior adults from throughout District Eight Baptist Convention in west-central Louisiana gathered May 10 in the late morning cool at Clara Springs Baptist Encampment for fellowship and to honor senior pastors, their wives, and widows of senior pastors.  The guest of honor for the event was Arnold Nelson, 96, the first director of missions for the district which includes DeSoto, Red River, Natchitoches, Sabine, and North Sabine associations. “I love you, my friend,” said DOM Lee Dickson to Nelson, noting that the elder missionary is not only his predecessor but his mentor as well. Dickson’s words were full of nostalgia as he recounted to the crowd how Nelson had served and continues to serve the district and local churches. In the early years of the LBC, missionaries were supported by the associations they served. Nelson chaired a committee that brought DOMs under the umbrella of LBC, and Nelson in 1963 became the first … [Read more...]

Several founding and longtime members of the BEL Federal Credit Union fellowshipped with a new generation of members at the April 24 annual meeting. ALEXANDRIA – Several founding and longtime members of the BEL Federal Credit Union fellowshipped with a new generation of members at the April 24 annual meeting. The gathering took place at the Baptist Building. Credit Union Manager Matt Marcantel reported that the credit union began with a small number of members who pooled $5 each to begin the process of setting up the operation in 1975. He praised the loyalty of members who have served on the board and all members who have maintained a superior record of repayment of loans since those early years. “Since its inception, the credit union has made 11,979 loans totaling over $42 million, and the number of loans made in 2006 totaled close to $2 million. And all of this has been accomplished with a staff of only three,” Marcantel said. “The credit union has a remarkable history of minimal charge-offs and/or bankruptcies which have been limited to less than one-half of one percent,” he reported. The institution’s financial report as of December 31, 2006, showed assets of $4,402,542. The Nominating Committee – … [Read more...]

As a child she was the victim of sexual abuse. As an adult, her daughter was diagnosed with cancer. Charity Roberts knows a thing or two about hangin’ on. During difficult years, her faith became her tool of survival. ALEXANDRIA – As a child she was the victim of sexual abuse. As an adult, her daughter was diagnosed with cancer. Charity Roberts knows a thing or two about hangin’ on. During difficult years, her faith became her tool of survival. Charity’s mother, Linda Aguillard, didn’t know how important the years of Bible memorization during Bible Drill were going to be to her daughter. “From 6:30 to 7:30 every evening, we turned off the  television and began practicing for Bible Drill,” Linda said. “All of my children went through all years of Bible Drill.” (Bible Drill is available for 4th-12th graders.) Linda began to see a  drastic change in then 12-year-old Charity’s personality. Linda didn’t know if this was a normal change for a pre-teen or if more was happening. In time, Linda discovered that some-one close to her family was molesting her daughter. She took immediate action to stop the abuse. “How did you mange to   get through this?” Linda asked her daughter. “Momma, it was my Bible Drill verses. I said … [Read more...]

Clear skies and mild temperatures provided a perfect backdrop for those in attendance at the National Day of Prayer observance hosted by Louisiana College on May 3. PINEVILLE – Clear skies and mild temperatures provided a perfect backdrop for those in attendance at the National Day of Prayer observance hosted by Louisiana College on May 3. Joe Aguillard, president of LC, convened the event, which took place in front of Alexandria Hall. The gathering of about 60 people, including faculty, staff, students and community leaders, participated in scripture reading, prayer and singing. The soothing sounds of Kilgore-Kirkpatrick Fountain accompanied prayers that focused on repentance, government leaders and the issue of alcohol. Aguillard opened the concert of prayer by leading participants in a reading of II Chronicles 7:14. The familiar passage instructs God’s people to turn from their wicked ways and embrace humility, prayer and God’s face in a desire to experience forgiveness and revival. Chuck Quarles, chairman of LC’s Department of Christian Studies, voiced a prayer of repentance. He asked God to forgive the sins of His people who have allowed so much evil to proliferate, especially the sin of abortion. Jock Holt, … [Read more...]

International Mission Board trustees celebrated the largest Lottie Moon Christmas Offering on record, earmarked $5 million to fund an additional 200 new missionaries and adopted guidelines on baptism and the practice of tongues and prayer languages among prospective missionaries during their May 7-9 meeting in Kansas City, Mo. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) – International Mission Board trustees celebrated the largest Lottie Moon Christmas Offering on record, earmarked $5 million to fund an additional 200 new missionaries and adopted guidelines on baptism and the practice of tongues and prayer languages among prospective missionaries during their May 7-9 meeting in Kansas City, Mo. They also appointed 35 new missionaries, re-elected trustee officers for 2007-08 and heard reports on the board’s finances and mission personnel. David Steverson, IMB treasurer and vice president for finance, presented the board’s financial statements for 2006 and reported that the mission board ended the year in good fiscal condition. Steverson also brought good news about the projected total for the 2006 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, which will be counted May 31. “I’m glad to say that we now have over $144 million in hand and continue to believe … [Read more...]

The only pastor Jefferson Baptist Church has ever known is retiring. BATON ROUGE – The only pastor Jefferson Baptist Church has ever known is retiring. The Rev. Thomas Charles “Tommy” French Jr. has decided that at the age of 76 and after 49 years at Jefferson Baptist, it is time to “transition the church to a new pastor and a new generation.” French is the original pastor of Jefferson Baptist, a church founded in 1957 in a rural cottage in the undeveloped forest along Jefferson Highway. Through his steadfast leadership, the church grew from 17 to 1,500 members and a multimillion-dollar complex of buildings. During five decades of ministry, French, one of the most well-known and respected Southern Baptist ministers in Louisiana, has played an active role in Baptist life in the state and the Southern Baptist Convention. In a sermon titled “There is an appointed time for everything,” delivered one recent Sunday, French said, “I cannot imagine not having the responsibility of the pastoral care of this congregation, but it is time for me to release this responsibility to another called man of God.” He’s been a minister for 52 years, including four years at a small Texas church before coming to Baton Rouge. He plans … [Read more...]

NATCHITOCHES – Westside Baptist plans an Outdoor Outreach Ministry May 31, starting with a children’s fishing contest at 5:30 p.m. and a meal at 6:30 p.m. Professional angler Jimmy Houston will speak. Call 318.352.2383 for tickets or more information. Bill Hudson is pastor. “We anticipate 400-plus outdoorsmen, women and children,” reports Ken Lantz, coordinator. “Many participants would not attend a worship service, but will attend an outdoor event.” Past programs have resulted in “numerous” spiritual decisions, Lantz wrote in a letter to the Message. “Our objective is to get unchruched and immature Church members to commit to a relationship or renewal to God,” Lantz wrote. “We schedule quality speakers who relate to the average outdoors-man by utilizing a common interest – fishing or hunting.” COUSHATTA – Fairview Baptist plans a Family Renewal Week May 20-23, with Nick Holden and family as guest speaker, and music by the Willis Family. Service times: 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. Matt Endris is pastor. CAMERON – Johnson Bayou Baptist – destroyed by Hurricane Rita – plans the rededication of their rebuilt church buildings at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 26. PARKS – Parks Baptist plans a 20th … [Read more...]