Fifteen people from three churches were baptized in Lake Buhlow, near Alexandria, Sunday evening, Sept. 4, in the second North Rapides Associational baptism rally this year. PINEVILLE – Fifteen people from three churches were baptized in Lake Buhlow, near Alexandria, Sunday evening, Sept. 4, in the second North Rapides Baptist Associational baptism rally this year. Ten were baptized last spring. “Welcome to His baptistry,” said Steve Speer, founding pastor of His Church, a contemporary congregation in Pineville not quite three months old. Speer’s words took on a double meaning as about 350 people contemplated the serene lake behind the pastor that was rimmed with tall green pine trees and covered with a semi-sunny sky, which later turned into a golden sunset. It was a perfect fall evening in central Louisiana – no humidity, gentle breeze, just enough scattered cloud cover to shade the sun. The event came to be as much a time of worshipping God in the world He created, as it was a celebration of the baptismal candidates’ decisions to follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior, said Kevin Roberts, event organizer. “I realized I wasn’t living right,” said Jason Pruitt, 28, an offshore worker and member … [Read more...]

"We have all learned something every lesson that has been worth the price for the class," said Clark Palmer, pastor of Faith Bapitst here, abut Financial Peace University. TIOGA – “We have all learned something every lesson that has been worth the price of the class,” said Clark Palmer, pastor of Faith Baptist here, about Financial Peace University. Faith Tioga members are in week 8 of the 13-week study. “There’s not been a dull session; there’s not been an irrelevant session,” Palmer said. “Maintaining attendance at the class has not been a problem – pastors will know what I mean by that. Nobody misses unless they have to.” Palmer, looking for a new and interesting discipleship type of Sunday evening study, stumbled across the Financial Peace University materials on what he understood was the final day of a sale, the pastor said. With the purchase of 10 student books for $90 each, the leader’s kit that included a set of DVDs was free. The DVDs include one session a week, varying in length from 50 to 75 minutes; class discussion is to follow. “Each student kit also contains a set of CDs that are audio recordings of every session,” Palmer said. “I think that’s invaluable because you get … [Read more...]

A business man complained about a proposal to raise the pastor's salary. He explained that he did not feel the increase was justified. "After all," the man quipped, "he only works two days a week." A businessman complained about a proposal to raise the pastor’s salary. He explained that he did not feel the increase was justified. “After all,” the man quipped, “he only works two days a week.” The pastor did not rebut the businessman’s remark, but after the meeting invited the man to come and spend the next afternoon with him. The man agreed. When the man arrived at about noon, the pastor explained that his morning had been spent in prayer, a staff meeting and then a couple of hours of study. He asked the businessman to wait while he returned a few phone calls. Forty-five minutes later, the pastor emerged and the man asked, “What took so long?” The pastor waved a stack of phone messages he had received in the morning. “Who are those from?” the businessman queried. “Church members,” the pastor replied. “Let’s go,” the pastor said. The pair climbed into the pastor’s car. “Where are we going?” the businessman asked. “To the hospital,” the preacher said. After finding a place to … [Read more...]

A reader calls for messengers to reject the amendment to the By-laws of Louisiana College to add an additional member to the Board of Trustees. As a member of the First Baptist Church of Mansfield, I would call on the messengers to the 2006 Louisiana Baptist Convention to reject the amendment to the By-laws of Louisiana College to add an additional member to the Board of Trustees. As reported in the Baptist Message, the Board adopted a resolution to add the Executive Director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention as a voting member of the Board. I submit that this is bad policy for two reasons. The first is lack of accountability since this would add to the 34-member board a member who is not elected by the messengers of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. The Executive Director is employed by the Executive Committee of the convention and is not elected by the messengers. This would be new  ground to have a voting member who is appointed by an outside agency. This move would also add a new level of trustee in that the Executive Director would serve for the full tenure of his employment while all other trustees would have limited terms. The President of the Louisiana Baptist Convention serves … [Read more...]

Louisiana College has taken a strong and bold stand as we daily express our identity in terms of recognizing and affirming the foundational principles. upon which we were founded. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 3:11 NIV Over the last couple of years, and in anticipation of the celebration of 100 years of Christian higher education, Louisiana College has taken a strong and bold stand as we daily express our identity in terms of recognizing and affirming the foundational principles upon which we were founded.  Our founding fathers established an institution of higher education that would stand the test of time that would reflect the principles upon which our Christian identity and Baptist heritage would grow and prosper.  Their wisdom and faith called for an institution that acknowledges that true scholarship can only be found within the context of Jesus Christ as central to all knowledge and learning. One of our newest faculty members, Jason Meyer, a tremendous scholar of New Testament and Greek, put it this way, “Christian scholarship compromises its distinctive calling and identity whenever it consciously or unconsciously … [Read more...]

Despite losing her granddaughter shortly after the child's first birthday and almost losing her son in the same tragic accident, Melody J. James, wife of Ernest C. James, pastor of Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church here, stood strong in her faith, never giving up as her son lingered in a coma for a month. Editor’s note: Second in a series of notable pastors’ wives across Louisiana. Pastors and vocational ministers, if you think your wife is notable, call the     Message at 318-442-7728. SHREVEPORT – Despite losing her granddaughter shortly after the child’s first birthday and almost losing her son in a tragic accident, Melody J. James, wife of Ernest C. James, pastor of Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church here, stood strong in her faith, never giving up as her son lingered in a coma for a month. In July 1991, three children and three adults slept as carbon monoxide filled their house. All three children lost their lives. The three adults, including Patrick James, survived, despite his grim prognosis. “The doctors told her to prepare for her son’s funeral,” Pastor James said.  “But her strong faith allowed her to put her fear for her son and grief for her granddaughters aside in order to minister … [Read more...]

Publicaton of this notice is required twice, one month before the start of the annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. It was first printed in the Oct. 5 issue. PARISH OF CALCASIEU STATE OF LOUISIANA BE IT KNOWN, that on _____Day of November, 2006, before me, the undersigned Notary Public in and for the Parish and State aforesaid, personally came and appeared the undersigned parties of full age of majority whose signatures are subscribed who declare, in the presence of the undersigned competent witnesses that, availing themselves of the provisions of the Louisiana Nonprofit Corporation law, Louisiana Revised Statutes12:201-12:269 (1950 as amended), and upon the instructions of the messengers to the 2006 Louisiana Baptist Convention, they do hereby organize a nonprofit corporation under and in accordance with these articles of incorporation as follows: ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION of the LOUISIANA BAPTIST CONVENTION ARTICLE I. NAME The name of this body is the Louisiana Baptist Convention, hereinafter referred to as “Convention”. ARTICLE II. DURATION The duration of this Convention shall be in perpetuity. ARTICLE III. NON-PROFIT … [Read more...]

Suggested resolution by the executive board of the Louisiana Baptist Conventin for the incorporation of the convention. SUGGESTED RESOLUTION BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE LOUISIANA BAPTIST CONVENTION FOR THE INCORPORATION OF THE CONVENTION WHEREAS, Louisiana law concerning the governance of organizations has changed and evolved over the last 100 years in favor of incorporation; and, WHEREAS, the Louisiana Baptist Convention is an unincorporated association which form of governance is vulnerable to a lack of clear statutory law and jurisprudence as to its method of organization, powers and resolution of issues which it may from time to time face; and, WHEREAS, the Louisiana Baptist Convention can be incorporated in a manner consistent with Baptist Polity and without changing the manner in which it has traditionally operated: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention does hereby recommend that the Messengers to the Louisiana Baptist Convention adopt the following resolution: “BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Louisiana Baptist Convention hereby directs and authorizes the officers of the Louisiana Baptist Convention in office at the November 2006 convention … [Read more...]

Potpourri LEESVILLE – East Leesville church:  Greater Vision in concert; Oct. 27, 7 p.m. with the Gospel Lights and Certain Sound Singers to perform at 6 p.m.; $12.50 per ticket; for ticket information, call Bill Tilley at 337-239-3742 or 337-789-8734; Gil Arthur, pastor. DENHAM SPRINGS – He-bron church:  “Women of Vision – Vessels of Service” women’s conference; Oct. 21, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Mary Varnado, guest speaker; $10 per ticket; lunch will be served; for information, call 225-665-6278 or 225-664-9989; Joe Alain, pastor. MARKSVILLE – Marksville church:  Ladies luncheon; Oct. 14, 12 noon; Jamie Womack, guest speaker; Stacey Tilley, music; Karen Fuqua, women’s director; Dennis Hackler, pastor. KEITHVILLE – Mansfield church:  Rhyme & Reason in concert; Oct. 22, 6 p.m.; Glenn Scruggs, pastor. MINDEN – Harris Assembly camp:  January Bible Study Conference; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; William Steeger, conference leader; to register, call Concord Union associational office at 318-255-9030 or 318-255-5241; Mike Latham, camp manager. DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp:  Church Staff Couples’ Retreat; Oct. 27, 6 p.m. – Oct. 28, after lunch; Marvin and Karen Douglass, retreat leaders; $60 … [Read more...]

Following are two proposed amendments to the Articles of Incorporation of Louisiana College, as passed in late September at their regularly-scheduled meeting by the college's board of trustees. Following are two proposed amendments to the Articles of Incorporation of Louisiana College, as passed in late September at their regularly-scheduled meeting by the college’s board of trustees. First: Amend the Articles of incorporation of Louisiana College by striking out the entirety of the current Article V (Liquidation), which reads ARTICLE V: LIQUIDATION The corporation is formed exclusively for educational and religious purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to the trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments or distributions in furtherance of its educational and religious purposes. The assets of the corporation shall be dedicated to the educational and religious purposes of the corporation. Upon dissolution of the corporation, the … [Read more...]