By Raleigh Sadler, NAMB Missionary, Pastor of Gallery Church, New York City It’s been a year since I moved to New York with the desire to fight human trafficking and lead the local church in recapturing a passion for freedom. The funny thing is three years ago I made it known publicly that I would NEVER 1) visit New York City or 2) raise support. So how did I end up raising support to serve as a Christian abolitionist in NYC? The quick answer would be that one of my best friends, Davin Henrickson, paved the way for me. Davin was the first person that I met at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2003. Soon, we became friends and then roommates. Davin and I consistently challenged each other to grow closer to Christ. I remember one evening he and I were talking through a struggle that I was going through and “Blessed Be Your Name” by Matt Redman came on the radio. As these words played, Blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering. Though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be Your name, Davin stopped and looked at me and said “this is what it’s about.” Davin understood that suffering pushes us to depend more and more on the Gospel and he challenged me with those lyrics. That was my friend, “MacGuyver the … [Read more...]

By Bill Warren, NOBTS QUESTION:  How can I understand the Bible better when I read it?  Part 4 Revelation NOBTS’ Bill Warren responds: Where can hope be found when the world is in chaos and there seems to be no hope for the future? Is there really any sense in being faithful to God when the future looks so bleak for God’s people and causes? Apocalyptic writings minister to people in these worse case scenarios, with Revelation being such a writing: Rev. 1:1 “The apocalypse [revelation] of Jesus Christ.” “Apocalypse” implies an “uncovering” or “revealing” of something – this literature seeks to reveal something about the situation at hand that is not being perceived by the larger group, with a goal of inspiring faithful living in spite of the current circumstances. These are ministry documents that speak to real people struggling with real questions (the seven churches) who are going through horrible circumstances that are affecting life both within the group and in the larger culture. History is spinning out of control with intervention by God as the only hope. John proclaims that God will intervene on behalf of his people in the most dramatic of fashions and with the most decisive of victories, thereby offering an … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:15 No matter if Brian Prucey was serving in the Air Force or in the pew, he has kept his focus on ministering to people. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY – Brian Prucey’s journey in ministry has taken him from the battlefield in Saudi Arabia to the church field in Louisiana, and countless highways and byways in between. But no matter if he was serving in the Air Force or in the pew, Prucey has kept his focus on ministering to the multitudes. “God has given me a wonderful opportunity to serve both my country and His Kingdom, and for many years to do that at the same time,” said Prucey, a bi-vocational pastor at Elm Grove Baptist Church in Bossier City and one of many who will celebrate Veterans Day on Nov. 11. Though he sensed the call to ministry at 15, Prucey opted to instead focus his attention on one day joining the armed forces. By the time he graduated from a Warren, Ohio, high school at age 18, Prucey was on a plane bound for San Antonio and the start to his 22-year career in the Air Force that ended on Jan. 1, 1999, when he honorably retired as a senior master sergeant with more than 20 medals, awards and ribbons. However, God never allowed … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:19 A large crowd of 1,430 filled the gym at New Zion Baptist Church in Covington for the 2nd Annual Blessing of the Hunt, which was sponsored by the LBC’s Men’s Ministry, North Shore Baptist Association and six area churches. By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor COVINGTON – As any hunter knows, the key to a successful hunt depends on planning, finding the right location, using the proper equipment, and having plenty of patience. Oh, OK, maybe there’s a little luck [blessing] involved as well. The 2nd Annual Blessing of the Hunt, sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Men’s Ministry, North Shore Baptist Association, First Baptist Church in Folsom, Red Bluff Baptist Church, Bogue Falaya Baptist Church, Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church, and New Zion Baptist Church, had all of the above in addition to some great food, door prizes, and program. The above combination proved a winner as attendance at New Zion Baptist Church for the Sept. 19 event was 1,430. More importantly, though, by evening’s end there were 91 recorded professions of faith. “It was such a huge success and a real blessing for all involved,” New Zion Pastor Clark Stewart said. “We drew a lot of people from … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:21 Pastors Conference President Roy Davis By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Pastors and others attending this year’s Louisiana Baptist Pastors Conference will be encouraged to become more than conquerors. Scheduled for Nov. 10-11 at First Baptist Church Pineville, the 25th annual Pastors Conference theme is “More Than Conquerors,” based on Romans 8:35-37. “Everybody needs encouragement,” said Roy Davis, president of the Pastors Conference and pastor of North Shreve Baptist Church in Shreveport. “I’m having more preachers than are generally scheduled for the purpose of giving more encouragement to the pastors.” The conference will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 with music by  First Baptist Church Pineville Worship team to be followed by the Southern gospel group Three Bridges from Nashville, Tenn. later that evening. Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director David Hankins will then preach the first sermon of the Pastors Conference. Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter, who also serves as pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, will close out the conference with his sermon to begin around 3 p.m. Other Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:26 First Lafayette Pastor Steve Horn will allow his name to be placed in nomination for LBC President By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor Why have you agreed to allow your nomination for convention president?   Obviously, I think anytime a person decides to be involved in something like this, the person should have peace in his heart and be able to say that he has sensed the will of God in the matter. I honestly can say that I have both peace from God and a sense of God’s blessing in allowing my nomination. On a practical level, multiple people throughout Louisiana have asked me to consider allowing my nomination. While I was president of the Executive Board in 2010-11, I was privileged to meet so many from every corner of Louisiana. I love Louisiana. I do not want to live or serve any other place. Because I love Louisiana, I want and am deeply committed to Louisiana knowing Jesus. In addition, our church is deeply rooted in the work of the Convention through our giving to the Cooperative Program, and as a result, we should desire to be as involved as we possibly can in the decisions of the Convention.   If elected, what will be your primary focus as convention … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:29 Stewart Holloway, pastor First Baptist Church Pineville By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer A native of Lecompte, Holloway has spent more than half of his ministerial career in Louisiana. In addition to First Baptist Church Pineville, other Louisiana churches he has served include Pine Grove in Ruby as minister of youth and First Baptist Lecompte as minister of music. Holloway also has served on staff of several Texas churches, including Forestburg Baptist Church as pastor before he was called to First Baptist Pineville. He holds degrees from Louisiana College in Pineville and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Holloway and his wife, Rebecca, have two sons, Zachary and Evan. Active in Louisiana Baptist life, Holloway has served as moderator of North Rapides Baptist Association, chair of the Teller’s Committee and alternate convention sermon preacher at this year’s LBC annual meeting. PINEVILLE – Stewart Holloway will be nominated as president of the Pastors Conference, according to Lewis Richerson, pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. The pastor of First Baptist Church Pineville, Holloway said if elected he will look forward to … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Ray Rainey new Senior Adult Minister at Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge from First Baptist Church, Bossier City. Thomas Aaron Chapman ordained into the Gospel Ministry on Oct. 20 at Red Oak Baptist Church, Livingston. Pastor: Alan Moak. Jerry Poston, who previously served as pastor of First Baptist Church Mandeville and was the former Director of Missions for Two Rivers, Washington and William Wallace Associations, passed away October 21 at the age of 89.   REVIVAL/HOMECOMING Epps Baptist Church: Homecoming Service, Nov. 10, 10:30 p.m. followed by fellowship and lunch. Speaker: Pat Lofton. Music: Epps Baptist Church choir. Pastor: Johnny Smith. Rose Park Baptist Shreveport: Revival Nov. 10-13, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday. Evangelist: Len Turner. Calvary Baptist Church, Forest Hill: Old-fashioned tent Revival Nov. 11-15, 6:30 p.m. Worship: Lewis and Lewis. Pastor: Brandon Gill. First Baptist Church, Jonesboro: Revival, Nov. 17-20. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.. Evangelist: Gary Bowlin. Music: Russ Givens. Pastor: Charles Wesley. Reeves Baptist Church, Reeves: A Friend Weekend, Nov. 17 at 9:30 a.m. Speaker: David Hanna. Lunch will follow … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, LBF Communications Tax law extensions have been the norm for the past 7 years for as many as 50 different tax provisions on a one to two year basis. One of these key provisions that benefits donors and charitable organizations alike has been the Public Good IRA Rollover Act. This allows an individual to donate money from their IRA directly to a charitable organization without receiving the distribution as taxable income. The provision first appeared as part of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and recently reinstated in the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.  However without further legislative action this provision will expire at the end of 2013. Individuals age 70 ½ and above can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) up to $100k directly from an IRA to a charitable organization, including the donor’s church or another ministry organization.  Here are other details: • Donations will count toward the donor’s minimum distribution requirements (MRD). • Donations from IRA’s are not used to calculate percentage limitations of adjusted gross income (AGI). • Donor must instruct the IRA custodian/manager to transfer the funds directly to a charitable non-profit organization. • Must be an outright gift … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:34 By Jerry Love, LBF Communications ALEXANDRIA – In a recent conversation, a prospective donor asked what happens to the donations given to the Louisiana Baptist Foundation. The answer was a bit of a surprise: “Whatever you tell us to do with it.” The Foundation exists to help people make gifts in support of their church or other Baptist entities and ministries in the state and around the world.  That answer is a bit cold and sterile, so let’s put it another way: The Louisiana Baptist Foundation helps people give to whatever is tugging on their heart-strings.   Heart-String Giving!   If you come by the Foundation office you won’t see young students receiving a Christian education, nor will you find children from difficult circumstances being cared for or families being counseled. You won’t see people traveling to far reaches of the world to share the Gospel and you won’t see churches under construction or renovation. You won’t physically see these things taking place in our office and yet the LBF has been involved in assisting Baptists (and a few from other denominations) in supporting these ministries and many more.  Here are some examples of how … [Read more...]