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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

FBC members ‘geaux’ on mission in Zachary

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ZACHARY, La. (LBM) – More than 100 members of First Baptist Church, Zachary, recently celebrated baptisms and then ventured into the community to share Christ. During “Geaux Sunday,” Dec. 12, four teams planted Gospel seeds in homes neighboring the church. The first team delivered 100 bags that included a coffee shop gift card and an invitation to attend various Christmas activities, another reconnected with 50 families who had not attended the church in 12 months, the third team wrote encouraging cards that were mailed to individuals in Zachary and the final team prayed for the effort that took place. Before venturing into the community, the church celebrated the baptism of four new converts and observed the Lord’s Supper. Jake Roudkovski, interim pastor since late October and a professor with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, said the day was fruitful because members stepped outside the four walls of the church and shared the love of Christ with their neighbors. “God favored our efforts when we intentionally decided to go to the community,” Roudkovski said. “Going is part of the Great Commission. When we go, good things happen in the church and in our … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage. com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Jack West will be retiring as pastor of Holloway Baptist Church on January 23 after 37 years. Following the 11 a.m. worship service, everyone is invited to dinner on the grounds and for the reception honoring West for his 37 years of service. The dinner and reception will take place at 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to share their stories and their memories on this special day according to the church. Randy, wife Chelby, Ziegler is the new pastor at South Bossier Baptist Church, Bossier City. Greg Gill is the new pastor at Hopewell Baptist Church, DeRidder. n John, wife Kelsey, Prose is the new pastor at Mooringsport Baptist Church, Mooringsport. Chris Wales is the interim pastor at First Baptist Church, Carlyss. Jerry Masters is the interim pastor at Red River Baptist Church, Benton. Brad, wife … [Read more...]

LBC maintenance worker arrested for child molestation

By Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office booked Perry Leon Moses, 59, a former employee of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, Jan. 5, on three counts of molesting a juvenile victim, aged between 13-17 years old. Moses, a resident of Deville, Louisiana, had served until Jan. 3 as maintenance supervisor for the LBC’s Alexandria facility which houses offices for different ministries of the state fellowship of churches. He had been employed about 4.5 years. Moses’s bond was set at $300,000, $100,000 for each charged offense, and as of Jan. 6 he was in RPSO custody. … [Read more...]

Jesus is the cure for our heart problem

By David Cranford PONCHATOULA, La.  - Some of the things that happen on this earth and some of the things that people do defy description: unspeakable acts of mass violence, hatred that leads to slaughter, complete disregard for the sanctity of human life, horrible acts committed against children. Some events and actions can only be described as evil. We always want to know the source of this evil. We should know the source of this evil. Scripture answers our question and the answer is not pretty. Unfortunately, the problem is inside of us. “The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) The evil that leads to the worst acts imaginable comes from our own hearts. Blaise Pascal wrote, “the heart has its reasons which reason does not know.” Unmitigated evil surely makes no sense, yet, there it is. I’m not sure we’re willing or ready to wrap our minds and hearts around the depth of the depravity we’re capable of. The need is greater than we can fathom! Thankfully so is the grace of Jesus. David Cranford is pastor of First Baptist Church, Ponchatoula, and is a past president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. … [Read more...]

Volunteers needed for multiple church construction projects in 2022

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Mike Shumock has issued an urgent call for volunteers to help remodel several Louisiana Baptist churches for 2022. Shumock, the Mission Builder strategist for Louisiana Baptists, said all of the projects scheduled for 2022 originally were to take place in 2020 and 2021, but multiple hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic and rising construction costs delayed the work. Now, he said, they are playing “catch up” and need Kingdom-minded people for the task. “I need churches and associations who will step up and commission skilled workers to come and help these churches with their facilities,” Shumock told the Baptist Message. “Everyone has something to offer, whether they are skilled or have just very basic knowledge of construction. We need people in churches that are willing to say we have skills, and these are God’s gifts to be able to utilize His glory for Kingdom work.” Work at First Baptist Church, Avondale, and Ban Suk Korean Baptist Church, Bossier City, is scheduled to begin in early January. First, Avondale sustained heavy damage from Hurricane Ida in August and needs to reroof its 10,000-sq.-ft. facility. Ban Suk Korean Baptist needs help to demolish its old worship … [Read more...]

Christine Gill answers the call as Louisiana Baptists’ new WMU strategist

By Philip Timothy, Managing editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Christine Gill didn’t go looking for the job; the job came looking for her. “I learned about the pending retirement of Janie (Wise, Women’s Mission & Ministry strategist) in October when I was at a minister’s wives retreat at Tall Timbers,” said Gill. “I remember thinking to myself who would be able to do that job?” Little did she realize but God already had the answer. “When they were seeking applicants, I didn’t apply. My name, though, was given to John Hebert who reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in the position,” said Gill. “I was shocked but excited to be given this opportunity. “I always have had a heart for women and a call to missions,” Gill continued. “So, when John called with the news I was shocked but excited.” The forty-two-year-old former IMB missionary was chosen to become the new Women’s Missions & Ministry strategist on Tuesday, Dec. 22, to replace Wise upon her retirement. “I am pleased to announce that Christine will begin her ministry here Jan. 1, 2022,” said John Hebert, director of Missions and Ministry for Louisiana Baptists. “I spoke with WMU leaders across the state and asked them to describe what … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist DR unit activated to hard hit Kentucky

By Baptist Message staff MURRAY, Ky. (LBM) - A Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief shower unit has begun serving in Murray, Kentucky, one of several communities devastated by a series of tornadoes last weekend. According to Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief strategist Stan Statham, the team from Mt. Olive Baptist Association arrived Dec. 14. They are stationed at First Baptist Church, Murray. The Louisiana Baptist Convention also has donated tarps, furring strips and financial gifts. Statham encouraged Louisiana Baptists to pray and, if led, give financially to help those in a state that has helped with disaster relief efforts in Louisiana. The Associated Press reported that 74 were confirmed dead and another 100 were missing after the tornadoes touched down in the state over the weekend. “The last two years getting hit hard ourselves we know what it’s like in moments of need,” Statham said. “We continue to pray and be sensitive to their needs.” To give to DR efforts in Kentucky visit https://louisianabaptists.org/missions-ministry/disaster-relief/donate/ … [Read more...]

Pastors celebrate defeat of Slidell casino

By Baptist Message staff SLIDELL, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist pastors in St. Tammany Parish rejoiced about the resounding vote, Dec. 11, against a proposal that would have brought casino gambling into Slidell. By a margin of 63 percent against (37,664 “nays”) and 37 percent for (22,031 “yeas”), voters rejected a proposal to build a $325 million casino complex in an area east of the I-10 interchange in Oak Harbor. DAVID DEFEATS GOLIATH The Slidell project was proposed by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, also known as P2E, which owns one of the 15 approved riverboat casinos permitted in Louisiana (for a bankrupt and defunct Shreveport casino that they proposed to move to Slidell). Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was among those who backed the proposal. According to WWL-TV, more than $3 million dollars was spent on advertising to get residents to vote in favor of the casino. Opponents spent $1 million to fight against the proposal, WWL reported. Proponents had promised big returns in terms of jobs, economic development and tax revenue. TROUBLED PAST Three years ago, the Los Angeles-based P2E failed in the legislature in their bid to move their now closed Shreveport riverboat casino to … [Read more...]

Pastor celebrates more than seven decades of ministry

By Norm Miller, Special to the Baptist Message GRAND CANE, LA. (LBM) -- Not many pastors celebrate 14 successive years of ministry at one church, and fewer still do so when 89 years-old. Wayne Roberts first preached at Wood Springs Baptist Church in Grand Cane, Louisiana, in a pulpit supply role 14 years ago, he told the Baptist Message. He’s still preaching and his wife Bobbie, 87, still plays the piano, and they both continue to exude spry spirits as well as a deep love for the Lord’s work and His people. “Wood Springs believes in missions,” Wayne said. “We give to home and foreign missions. Our people gave about $100,000 for the new ministry building at Toledo Bend.” The church also helps people in the community after personal tragedies and sickness, and aids those who are in financial straits. “We use God’s money wisely,” Roberts said. “We may be small, but Wood Springs is probably the most mission-minded church we ever served,” his wife added. The pandemic cut worship attendance in half, but about 25 have remained faithful. “Wayne isn’t a longwinded preacher. That’s why the people like him,” she explained. “About 15 minutes is as long as you can keep anybody’s attention,” he reasoned. “I don’t care … [Read more...]