By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Shortly after Hurricane Katrina made landfall near New Orleans on Aug. 29, 2005, some Louisiana Baptist churches in that area lost important historical and financial printed documents. However, all was not lost as those churches were able to contact Louisiana Baptists business office to retrieve identical information that was stored in the archives through the Annual Church Profile, or ACP. The affected churches were then able to submit the information to various entities as part of the claims process. That’s just one example of the value of the ACP which is Louisiana Baptists/Southern Baptists process for gathering information related to local churches missions and ministries. State conventions work in conjunction with local associations to request and collect the information which is then forwarded to the SBC. The final report provides a snapshot of the average Southern Baptist church as well as the larger work of Louisiana Baptists and Southern Baptists. “Your ACP is your congregation’s story, its testimony,” said Shana Johnson, information services support supervisor for Louisiana Baptists. “This fall every congregation gets to tell how God is using them to accomplish his … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message Pastor Appreciation Month is just around the corner and the Louisiana Baptist Pastoral Leadership Team is providing church members with a list of ways to encourage their church staff and their families. Held every year in October, Pastor Appreciation Month is a time set aside to honor ministers during that period. Louisiana Baptist Church Administration Strategist Stacy Morgan said encouragement is something ministers need and Pastor Appreciation Month allows church members to show that gratitude. “The key thing is church members should recognize that pastors are a gift from God to the church,” Morgan said. “They are not merely an employee or hireling, based on Acts 20:28 and Ephesians 4:8-10. The Bible also says we are to honor those who serve among us and to give honor where honor is due.” Honoring a pastor also has the practical benefit of encouraging him to serve the congregation and community well, Morgan said. “Everyone wants to be appreciated for what they do,” he said. “As a result, whenever a church honors their pastor they are honoring God because it was the Lord that sent him to them. When you criticize your pastor, unduly you may be criticizing God and His provision for the church.” The … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:45 Phil Robertson may have been the headline speaker of the evening but Jesus was the main topic of the Duck Commander’s message during the recent Outdoor Extravaganza in Bossier City. The outreach event was primarily sponsored by First Baptist Bossier City and Cypress Baptist in Benton, though many other churches and businesses in the area also helped out with the evening. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY – Duck Commander Phil Robertson, wife Kay and son Alan returned to Bossier City for a homecoming of sorts recently, complete with duck calls and a call to salvation before more than 8,000 people. “It’s good to know we’re among friends,” Alan Robertson told the crowd gathered at the Century Link Center for the first ever Outdoor Extravaganza. “We travel around the country and we see crowds but I tell you what, Dad and I are excited because we are right here in our home base. This is where mom and dad are from, is Caddo Parish, so we’re home.” A former Church of Christ minister in West Monroe and now a cast member on the popular reality TV show Duck Dynasty, Alan Robertson and his mom, commonly known as Miss Kay, shared thoughts about how the Duck … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:49 Since Fairbanks Baptist Church in Sterlington became a multi-site campus of First Baptist Church West Monroe in January 2012, the church has baptized 64 people. The name of the Sterlington church was changed to First West Fairbanks when the merger took place. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Each month approximately two Louisiana Baptist churches close their doors. According to former Fairbanks Baptist member, and current member of First West Fairbanks, Cheryl Spence, they were faced with the question, “How do you close God’s church?” However, one West Monroe-area church and another Baton Rouge area church didn’t want to be a part of that statistic. Recently, Fairbanks Baptist and Broussard Grove Baptist decided that rather than die, they would allow a nearby church to become their supporting church. So far, those members who chose to remain have been supportive of the move – a key ingredient in the health of the revitalized congregations. First West Fairbanks First West Fairbanks’ story began in early 2011, which was a critical time for Fairbanks Baptist in Sterlington. Faced with the reality of not having enough young families to sustain, the congregation … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH – God’s grace is ever-present, a concept that Louisiana Baptist women’s missions and ministry strategist Janie Wise feels is a concept important enough to center an entire conference around for minister’s wives in the state. “Where Grace Abounds” will be the theme for this year’s Louisiana Baptist Minister’s Wives’ Retreat. Based off the biblical passage 1 Timothy 1:14, the annual conference will take place Oct. 17-18 at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth. “One morning my personal Bible study led me to the thought that God’s grace is over everything,” Wise said. “It’s the challenge of not taking His grace for granted.” Registration for the conference opens at 3 pm on Oct. 17, with a meal served at 5 pm. Other highlights of the evening include two breakout sessions with such topics as self-defense, how to make meals to place in a freezer and ways to design coffee mugs, as well as a worship time. Lifeway Ministry Multiplier Karen Alexander-Doyel of Knoxville, Tenn., who was a pastor’s wife for 28 years before her husband died, will deliver the message while Tracy Orr, a ministry worship assistant at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville, will lead the music. The … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Brandon Pool new as pastor at Good Pine First Baptist Church, Jena. REVIVAL/HOMECOMING Alto Baptist Church, Alto: Homecoming service, Sept. 28, 10:30 a.m. Speaker: David Shirley. Dinner on the grounds will follow the service. Pastor: Alan Miller. First Baptist Church, Head of Island: Revival, Sept. 28-Oct. 1. Services will be at 10:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Speaker: Raymond Taylor. For more information call Terry or Sharon Simoneaux at 225.698.6654. Pastor: Rocky Brown. First Baptist Church, Bienville: 120th Homecoming Celebration, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. (Sunday School), 11 a.m. (Service). Speaker: Mel Campbell. Following the service there will be dinner on the grounds and singing. Pastor: Edwin Rasbury. Glenmora Baptist Church: 120th Homecoming Celebration, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. Speaker: David Hankins. There will be dinner on the grounds following the service. Pastor: Falis Holloway. Pine Grove Baptist Church, Livington: 125th Anniversary Celebration and Revival, Oct. 1-5. Oct. 1, 7 p.m. Speaker: Kevin LeBoeuf. Music Leslie Falks; Oct. 2, 7 p.m. Speaker: Shelby Smith. Music: Renee Scheidt. Oct. 3, 7 p.m. Speaker: Lionel Crowell. Music: Mark Dunn. Oct. 4, 7 p.m. Speaker: Gary … [Read more...]

By Staff, World News Magazine BATON ROUGE – A federal judge on Aug. 30 temporarily blocked enforcement of a Louisiana law that requires abortionists to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. District Judge John deGravelles said he will hold a conference in 30 days to evaluate the progress toward obtaining admitting privileges and set a court date for his ruling on a preliminary injunction. Three of the state’s five abortion facilities filed suit, represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR). The law requires all Louisiana abortionists to obtain admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles of their respective facilities. Violators risk losing their medical licenses and a $4,000 fine. The restraining order allows abortionists to continue to practice while they seek admitting privileges. District Judge John deGravelles said he will hold a conference in 30 days to evaluate the progress toward obtaining admitting privileges and set a court date for his ruling on a preliminary injunction. Women’s College Redefines “Women” SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – An all-women’s college in South Hadley, Mass., has expanded its definition of “women” with a new admissions policy this week. Mount Holyoke College President Lynn … [Read more...]