By Alena Noakes, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) – “God’s plan is to unite us as one, and you have the opportunity to be a part of that process,” Alexandria physician Gregory Bevels said at the recent Louisiana College’s 5th annual Values and Ethics Conference. The conference, Nov. 4-5, featured speakers from various backgrounds who addressed one of the most critical issues in today’s culture, racism. Bevels, a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria, was joined by Louisiana state Rep. Katrina Jackson, author of the Louisiana Right to Life amendment and an equal rights proponent in the legislature, and Joshua Joy Dara, Sr., dean of the department of human behavior and associate vice president for student engagement and enrichment at LC and pastor of Zion Hill Church Family in Pineville. Chris Singleton, a former minor league baseball player whose mother was one of nine people killed during a 2015 deadly shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., shared his message virtually. “I think this mission of unity that we have … that’s Jesus’ mission,” Singleton said. “And I think if we lead people, no matter where they’re from or what they look like … if we lead them to the Lord, I … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Lee Wesley, a pastor who started one of the first predominantly African American Louisiana Baptist congregations in the Baton Rouge area, died Nov. 10. He was 76. Wesley had served as pastor of Community Bible Baptist Church in Baton Rouge since 1989, but he also was a well-known leader at all levels of Louisiana Baptist life. Friends and colleagues described him as a champion for bringing churches together to make the greatest Gospel impact on the community. According to information compiled from the Annual Church Profile, Tommy Middleton, director of missions for the Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge, and James Jenkins, Louisiana Baptist director of church planting, Wesley was the first African American moderator of BAGBR; he helped Middleton establish inner city camps for children in Baton Rouge; and, he also identified potential Black church planters. During his tenure at Community Bible Baptist Church, which averages 125 worshipers for Sunday morning service, 676 new converts were baptized since 1989. Statewide, Wesley was chairman of the Every People Group Task Force of the LBC President’s 2020 Commission since 2012. He also was an LBC Executive Board … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer HAUGHTON, La. (LBM) - Evangelist Bill Britt, in early 2020, was looking forward to preaching at crusades and revivals over a 45-week period, but in mid-March COVID-19 brought his schedule of events, like every other evangelist’s, to a near close. Britt saw 14 events cancelled, yet he is confident about his calling no matter the crushing burden caused by the COVID-19 shutdown. “You can’t stop the Gospel,” Britt told the Baptist Message. “When you have the opportunities to preach to the crowd, it’s exciting because you get to exercise your calling and gifts. Seeing Him move when people are full of fear and then to see some turn to the Lord is such a blessing.” In July, the evangelist from Haughton resumed his slate of crusades and revivals, though the crowds have been smaller because of COVID-19 attendance restrictions. Then Britt tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Although only a mild case, he had to cancel two more of his preaching assignments. “The Lord provided healing for me, finances and met all of my needs,” Britt said. “It has made me more sensitive to pray for those who are battling with this disease.” Despite these challenges Britt has seen multiple … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer COUSHATTA, La. (LBM) – Nathan Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church, Coushatta, accepted the “Who’s Your One” evangelistic challenge by sharing the Gospel with someone especially close to him -- his daughter, McKinley. Throughout the year, Davis planted Gospel seeds with his daughter and prayed she would become a follower of Jesus. His evangelistic efforts and daily prayers finally were answered during a revival service, Sept. 28, when McKinley, upon the invitation of evangelist Bill Britt to the First Baptist congregation, stepped forward to declare she had repented of her sins. A month later, on Oct. 25, McKinley proudly declared her newfound faith through baptism in front of her FBCC family. “It’s awesome to know that McKinley will join the rest of our family in Heaven one day,” Davis told the Baptist Message. “I tell our kids salvation is the starting point but not the finish line. I’m thankful we will get to spend life in Heaven together but also hopefully have a long life here to influence others for Christ.” McKinley said she and her dad have shared many joyful times, but that her baptism is perhaps the most memorable. “I was excited to show everyone I am a … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – The Committee on Resolutions presented a single resolution “On Gospel Resolve” and the Committee on Moral and Social Concerns Committee addressed Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality in a separate report at the Louisiana Baptist Convention 2020 Annual Meeting, Nov. 10, at Louisiana College in Pineville. RESOLUTIONS Committee on Resolutions Chairman Steve McAlister, pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Natchitoches, said the committee considered possible resolutions, including one against Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality – which have become hot topics since messengers to the 2019 Southern Baptist Convention in Birmingham, Alabama, adopted Resolution 9 which describes these two controversial Marxist concepts as “analytical tools subordinate to Scripture” to “aid in evaluating a variety of human experiences.” In the end, McAlister said, the committee decided that a single resolution drafted by Steve Horn, Louisiana Baptist executive director, was preferred in the face of overcoming the obstacles of multiple hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic and political tensions related to hotly contested national elections. McAlister said once the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Amid a year of COVID-19, multiple hurricanes and political turmoil, hope and resolve were consistent themes shared at the Louisiana Baptist Convention. STEVE HORN Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn praised messengers to the 2020 LBC Annual meeting of churches for their resiliency amid a difficult year. “COVID, political division exacerbated by racial division, devastating hurricanes and the accompanying economic disruptions have tested us,” Horn said during his executive director’s report, Nov. 10. “As one social media meme put it, ‘In Louisiana, we are tough, but we are tired.’ “But, if 2020 has proven anything, this year has proven that we, in Louisiana, are a resilient bunch,” he continued. “And, I am thankful.” Horn said Louisiana Baptists were faithful in giving, gathering and sharing the Gospel despite COVID-19 and multiple hurricanes. Though most events sponsored by the state missions services team were canceled during the summer, Horn said efforts to share the Gospel did not wane. The communication team used the “Here for You” multimedia campaign to reach 95 percent of television viewer homes in the state -- who … [Read more...]

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 Eric Zimmer is the interim pastor at Ida Baptist Church, Ida. Lance Rolland resigns as pastor of Westwood Baptist Church, Keithville and David Venable is the interim pastor. REVIVAL Serenity Baptist Church, Tickfaw: Revival, November 18-20, 6:30 p.m. each night. Evangelist: Gary Bowlin. Pastor: Keith Wagner. Social Springs Baptist Church, Ringgold: Harvest Sunday, November 22, Evangelist: Bill Britt. Pastor: James Hester. Faith Baptist Church, Baker: Revival, December 6-9. Evangelist: Bill Britt. Pastor: Arnold Austin. LAGNIAPPE Rocky Springs Baptist Church, Lisbon: Seeking a bivocational music leader. If interested in this position, please call 318.680.7419 for further details. Brushy Creek Baptist Church, Bancroft: The Erwins in concert, November 20, 7 p.m. at the Hyatt High School … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA, LA (LBM) - U.S. Sen. John Kennedy has announced important information for Louisianans seeking help in the wake of Hurricane Laura. The Small Business Administration has extended its deadline to Nov. 27 for physical loan applications (property damage to home or business). Submit completed loan applications to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. For additional information, contact the SBA by phone, (202) 205-6734. Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency also has extended its deadline to Nov. 27. Homeowners and renters can apply for federal assistance, which includes help for temporary housing, rental assistance and repair or replacement of damaged property. Grants may be available as well to help with other expenses such as medical and dental care, childcare, funeral and burial costs, replacing essential household items, moving and storage, vehicle repairs and cleanup. Louisianans can determine whether they live in a designated parish and obtain other information through the FEMA helpline, 800.621.3362 (TTY 800.462.7585), and at disasterassistance.gov. … [Read more...]