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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

SEND Relief assessment team activated for refugee camp in Poland

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – A SEND Relief assessment team plans to leave next week for Poland to determine how they can best assist refugees fleeing from the war in Ukraine. The SEND Relief team will minister to refugees in camps in Poland. Once their mission is complete, future opportunities in the country will be determined. Louisiana Baptists Disaster Relief State Coordinator Stan Statham said one of the most pressing needs for the team and refugees is prayer. He asked Louisiana Baptists to pray for: -- Peace in Ukraine; -- God's protection for believers serving and ministering on the front lines of this crisis; -- Those suffering in the areas of active conflict and for those who have lost loved ones; -- God to open people to the hope of Christ through this difficult season in their lives; -- Displaced individuals, including women and children without husbands or fathers, as they find a place to live away from the areas where fighting continues; and -- Wisdom for local churches who serve and offer compassionate ministry in difficult circumstances. “Like any disaster, we need people to pray, provide with donations and maybe even volunteer to serve on site,” Statham said. ‘Pray … [Read more...]

First Kenner congregation gives big to fix Ida damage

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer KENNER, La. (LBM) – Members of First Baptist Church, Kenner, recently accepted a God-sized challenge and raised, in one day, much of the $450,000 deductible needed to repair the worship center damaged by Hurricane Ida. By the end of the Dec. 12 worship service, members had raised $367,361 that, when combined with another $80,000 given from the New Orleans Baptist Association and Louisiana Baptist Convention, provided enough to begin renovations. Interim Pastor Reggie Ogea, who also is a professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, said he was amazed that 71 families stepped out in faith and committed to help their church rebuild. “I am still astounded, and the folks are, too,” Ogea told the Baptist Message. “When you consider that many of our families were still struggling themselves to make repairs to their own homes after Ida, they truly gave sacrificially. They have a strong sense that God is about to do something.” TRANSITION TIME FBC Kenner has been in transition since Ogea became interim pastor in April 2021. The congregation recognized the need to revitalize, and on June 27 voted to become the fourth member of First Baptist Church, Covington’s … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists seek prayer for adoption of Ukrainian children

By Baptist Message staff KYIV, Ukraine (LBM) – Several Louisiana Baptist families have asked the faith community to join them in prayer as they attempt to finalize the adoption of their Ukrainian children. Russia invaded the country on Feb. 24, and the action subsequently may delay the adoption process. Sherrie Albritton, minister to children at Fair Park Baptist Church, West Monroe, her husband, Kirk, and four other individuals operate International Host Connection, a non-profit organization that places Ukrainian children with host home families in the United States for an unspecified amount of time, with the end goal being adoption. She said some of the families who have worked through their organization have been approved for adoption in the next month, but now face possible delays. “I ask that you pray for the orphanages that we have close contacts with as they try to move the children to safety,” Albritton told the Baptist Message. “And pray for the children and their health. Many children are sick and need medication but have no way to get it. “Finally, please lift up our missionaries that have chosen to stay and minister to the Ukrainian people and pray that Christians will turn to Him during this time,” … [Read more...]

Riverside Baptist makes room for one more soul

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer VIDALIA, La. (LBM) – Pastor Glen Harrigill can attest that God is on the move in a mighty way at Riverside Baptist Church. Last year, the Vidalia church, which averages 70 for Sunday worship service, witnessed 10 people profess Jesus as Lord, and six already have been baptized. Harrigill said his congregation has embraced the Holy Spirit’s call to reach the lost. “It’s 100 percent pure excitement,” Harrigill told the Baptist Message. “Our members are reaching out to others and bringing them in. With this church family, it is unlimited what God can do through our congregation.” In early 2020, the congregation moved Sunday assembly from the 1,680-sq.-ft. worship center to the 4,000-sq.-ft. family life center. Since then, members have recreated the space for worship services and Sunday school. Bobby Mulvihill said working alongside other members on the construction project has created an even stronger bond within the congregation. “We all have pitched in to help make this building happen in some way,” Mulvhill said. “Jesus has truly blessed our church. We are small in numbers but huge in heart.” Willie Gillespie, a member of the building committee, said the … [Read more...]

International Mission Board: Financial highs, missionary lows

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor RICHMOND, Va. (LBM)—In a Feb. 3 press release, Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board, celebrated “record-breaking offerings” and the appointment of 52 fully-funded missionaries. Chitwood cited improved giving through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering as well as the Cooperative Program as evidence that support for international missions is growing. According to the imb.org statement, for the first four months of the current fiscal year: -- LMCO gifts are up 16.1 percent compared to the same timeframe last year. -- CP gifts are up almost 10 percent for the same referenced period. -- Overall, combined revenue from all sources is running 13.6 percent ahead of the previous year’s pace. Despite the financial windfall, field missionary numbers continued to remain about the same as the 1985 tally of 3,597, although up from the nearly four decades low of 3,485 missionaries who were on board at the end of the first year of the pandemic. In reply to an inquiry from the Baptist Message, Julie McGown, IMB’s assistant vice president for communications, shared that there were “3,507 fully funded IMB field personnel” at the end of January … [Read more...]

Amid uncertainty in Ukraine, the Lord reigns

By Steve Horn ALEXANDRIA, La. - For me, today has the feeling similar to 9-11 or the beginning of the Gulf War when Iraq invaded Kuwait. In fact, a handful of my high school friends participated in the Gulf War. The U.S. counter began on a Wednesday night, which was our worship night for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. As several friends and I left the dormitory for our meeting, we met a regular attender who was headed the opposite way. When we asked about his coming, I still recall his incredulous response, “Don’t y’all know there’s a war going on?” We did, but we felt the best place to be was gathered with other Christians doing what we usually did on Wednesday evenings. I feel the same way today. What can we do? We can all pray. I join countless others urging prayer and more prayer. Pastor, consider a special prayer time during your Sunday morning worship service to praying specifically about these current events. Second, we can be people of peace. The watching world needs to see Christians as people of peace and not panic. I am reminded of Colossians 3:15, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Third, let me encourage you to stand on the promises of God. Jesus tells us in John 16:33, “I have told … [Read more...]

IMB’s Chitwood calls Baptists to pray for Ukraine

RICHMOND, Va. (LBM)--“With the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine, we join all those in Eastern Europe in praying for peace,” said Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. His comments were forwarded to the Baptist Message by Leslie Caldwell, a managing editor for the organization. “We know that God is sovereign in all situations, and Scripture reminds us that He is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. We keep our focus on Him, asking for His protection of the innocent and trusting that His justice will prevail,” said Chitwood. “Pray with us that Jesus Christ would be glorified through the crisis in Eastern Europe, and that Southern Baptists would remain vigilant in meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those who are suffering.” Caldwell stated that security concerns prevented any discussion about possible impacts on deployed missionaries and that Chitwood’s comments “are the only statement we can make at this time.” There already was an existing humanitarian crisis in the Ukraine resulting from the 2014 invasion and ultimate absorption of the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine (and it’s 2 million people) into the Russian … [Read more...]

Louisiana delegation condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine

By Baptist Message staff KYIV, Ukraine (LBM) – Louisiana’s delegation to Congress has issued statements condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Thursday, Feb. 24. THE SITUATION The Associated Press reported that Russia launched a “wide-ranging attack” and hit cities and bases with airstrikes or shelling, sending civilians into trains and automobiles. Sirens were heard in Kyiv, the country’s capital, along with other cities. The Ukrainian government said it was seeing a long-anticipated invasion from the east, north and south, and reported more than 40 soldiers had been killed and dozens wounded. Russian President Vladimir Putin promised those who interfere with his country’s operations face “consequences you have never seen.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on his Twitter account that his country has severed diplomatic relations with Russia and pleaded with those in Russia to protest the war. “Russia treacherously attacked our state in the morning, as Nazi Germany did in World War II,” he wrote. “As of today, our countries are on different sides of world history. (Russia) has embarked on a path of evil, but (Ukraine) is defending itself and won't give up its freedom no matter what Moscow … [Read more...]

Kennith Gordon, Beulah Baptist pastor, passes away

By Staff CHENEYVILLE, La. – Kennith Gordon, pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Cheneyville, died Thursday, Feb. 17. Gordon, 48, served in ministry for more 18 years with the last two years at Beulah Baptist. Before coming to Beulah, he was pastor of Bougere Baptist Church, Vidalia, Macedonia Baptist Church, Effie, Baptist Temple Church, Alexandria, and Oak Grove Baptist Church, Bentley. Gordon is survived by his wife, Susan; sons, Liam, Kieran and Silas, all of Cheneyville; daughters, Stella and Isla, both of Cheneyville; God daughter, Mkayla Sikes and her son, Jax Garr of Lecompte; and his parents, William David and Bobbie Ann “Mam Mam.” He was preceded in death by his brother, Brandon; maternal grandparents, Dan and Millie Wiley; paternal grandparents, Taft and Hazel Gordon; mother and father-in-law, Jimmy and Gail Ingram. Family and friends gathered Feb. 22 at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Marksville, for a celebration of life service. He was  buried the same day at Pease Cemetery in Larto.     … [Read more...]

FBC Hornbeck wild game supper nets 78 men for Christ

By Baptist Message staff HORNBECK, La. (LBM) – After a year-long hiatus, an overflow crowd of more than 600 men welcomed the return of annual wild game supper at First Baptist Church, Hornbeck by packing the church’s fellowship hall. COVID-19 prevented the church from having the popular event last year and organizers were excited to see the response to its return. The 32nd annual event on Feb. 18 featured a variety of wild game cuisine, numerous hunting and fishing giveaways and an inspiring message by Alaskan game guide Billy Molls. It also netted 78 decisions for Christ. According to sponsors, 37 men professed their faith in Christ and another 41 restored their fellowship with the Lord. A follow-up team plans to contact each person who made a decision. “The most humbling and exciting blessing of the night was those who place their faith in Jesus,” FBC Hornbeck Pastor Jack Bell told the Baptist Message. “We had a fantastic night and our gracious Lord blessed tremendously.” In his message, Molls shared that for the past 24 years he has led sportsmen from around the globe to some of the most remote regions of Alaska in pursuit of moose, caribou, wolves, bear and sheep. And even though he has enjoyed each hunt, … [Read more...]