By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists are in the final year of implementing the President’s 2020 Commission Report, an initiative undertaken during the leadership of Waylon Bailey, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington, and the LBC president in 2012-2013. The 2020 recommendations were crafted collaboratively by a commission of 400 Louisiana Baptist leaders, staff members and laypeople, working in 20 subcommittees of 20 members each. Ten “key actions in reaching our state” – known as KAIROS – were developed to engage two audiences – the next generation and every people group. These measures for improving the spiritual health and growth of the state were adopted by messengers at the 2013 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. This is the final article in a series published by the Baptist Message to report what successes have been achieved toward the ambitious goals of the statewide initiative, as well as to note what objectives remain to be done. KAIROS 10 – Lead Louisiana Baptists to maximize their collective influence in the arena of moral and cultural concerns, especially in strengthening families. The 2020 Commission recommended three specific … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – George Aultman, a pastor for more than six decades, died Saturday, Oct. 3. He was 91. A native of Sumrall, Miss., Aultman preached his first message at the age of 18 on April 17, 1948. He later served as a pastor of churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and Washington for 62 years and preached in revival services at more than 100 churches. He was a graduate of Clarke College in Hickory, Miss., the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss., and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Most recently, Aultman was a member of Airline Baptist Church in Bossier City, where he attended a men’s Sunday school class and was part of the men’s ministry. Aultman was preceded in death by his parents, Ida and Herbert Aultman; his first wife, Lillian; three brothers, James, Wayne and Harold; and his most recent wife, Nellie, who he was married to 50 years. He is survived by sons, Patrick Green and wife Joy of Dublin, Georgia, Randy Aultman and wife Peggy of Covington, Louisiana; daughters, Judy Rambin of Bossier City, Louisiana and Candi Aultman of Jackson, Mississippi. He is also survived by grandchildren, Kerri Coleman, Kristi Brewster, Kelli Hull and husband … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, Baptist Message special correspondent DERIDDER, La. (LBM)—Despite roof and water damage, Longville Baptist Church in rural DeRidder has maintained its in-reach to members and outreach to the surrounding area. “We’re still here, ministering to people and trying to love on them,” Pastor Corey Townsley told the Baptist Message. “The church is feeding the community, providing water, and even helping to operate a mobile laundry ministry provided by North Carolina Disaster Relief. Regarding supplies and other needs, Townsley said, “The Lord has really blessed us. But what we really need are the finances for chainsaw crews and clean up — the funding for fuel costs. We need that.” When Hurricane Laura hit, more than 50 people gathered in the church building. “During the storm it was kind of crazy,” Townsley said. Staff as well as congregants who lived in mobile homes and others who felt unsafe in their houses also sheltered in the building. The high winds obliterated a section of roof over Longville’s educational building and library, flooding classrooms and the church offices. “I don’t know if the building will be a total loss,” Townsley said. “We’re waiting on the insurance adjuster’s assessment. It’ll … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff FERRIDAY, La. (LBM) – On the heels of a vote on an amendment that could protect pro-life laws in the state, First Baptist Church in Ferriday has erected 100 crosses on a nearby field to proclaim their love for the unborn. Situated along a grassy area near the church, the crosses were placed there to bring attention to the importance of voting yes on Amendment #1, either during early voting or on Election Day, Nov. 3. Known as the Love Life Amendment, the change to the state constitution is needed because of developments in 14 other states, where in each case a state court ruled that in the state constitution there was a right to abortion or the right to force the state to pay for abortions – but based on a creative interpretation of a general phrase or vague wording and not on anything that specifically stated such rights. The crosses, which were placed in the ground Oct. 3, are expected to remain there until the election. Church member Bill Beasley said members have placed the crosses on the grassy area for six years every January, when several pro-life marches take place in the state and around the nation. Beasley was moved to place them in the same vicinity after watching Christians take … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, Baptist Message special correspondent DRY CREEK, La. (LBM)—Hurricane Laura uprooted, snapped off, and twisted more than 500 trees, obstructing the landscape at Dry Creek Baptist Camp such that workers spent almost three days clearing a short stretch of camp road that led to a garage where equipment, needed to restore the campus of the 95 year-old encampment, was kept. “Our greatest need is for some volunteers who can come and stay for a while — I’m talking weeks,” said Todd Burnaman, Dry Creek camp director. “Maybe some RV-ers or some folks who could stay in our cabins and help keep things moving at a steady pace. We love having youth groups coming in for a day, too,” he said. Three weeks after the hurricane swept through the area, the camp still has hundreds of trees that need to be removed, and other general clean-up work must be done. “We’re just using every bit of energy we have right now to get the trees off the ground,” Burnaman said. “I can’t even start to think about spending energy taking care of people, which hurts, because that’s what’s important. If we don’t get trees off the ground we can’t get people here.” Camp staffers, including administrative assistants, have pitched in to remove … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Early voting has begun for the Nov. 3 election. Louisiana citizens have until Oct. 27 (excluding Sunday) to cast their ballots in person. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day at the parish registrar of voters office or other designated locations. In addition to casting their vote for president and congress, Louisianans will have the opportunity to approve a number of amendments, including one that would help to protect pro-life laws in the state. Known as the Love Life Amendment, the change to the state constitution is needed because of developments in 14 other states, where in each case a state court ruled that in the state constitution there was a right to abortion or the right to force the state to pay for abortions – but based on a creative interpretation of a general phrase or vague wording and not on anything that specifically stated such rights. The Love Life Amendment does not outlaw abortion or address such controversies as exceptions for rape and incest. The language simply makes clear that there is no stated right to abortion in the Louisiana Constitution: Amendment #1: Do you support an amendment declaring that, to protect human life, a right … [Read more...]

By Aaron Quartemont, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, La. (Wildcats Media) - Louisiana College’s Preview Day is going virtual for the second time this year. Virtual Preview Day, scheduled for Oct. 24 from 1-3 p.m., will offer prospective students a virtual tour of the school’s campus and provide interview opportunities with professors. Prospective students also will hear from current students and learn more about student clubs and organizations, athletics and residence life. The college held a similar event April 17. “Following on the success of a virtual preview day this past April we trust hundreds of prospective students and their families will join us Oct. 24 to learn more about LC’s distinctive student learning experience,” said President Rick Brewer. “Indeed, we look forward to being able to host families on campus in 2021, but until then a virtual approach will have to suffice. We also encourage individual campus visits by prospective students seeking more information and connection with faculty, current students, coaches and financial aid.” “We try to recreate the in-person preview day as much as possible,” added Rose Smoak, north Louisiana regional admissions counselor and an LC 2017 theatre graduate. Two students … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—Voters will be offered the opportunity to protect state pro-life laws by approving Amendment #1 on the ballot, Nov. 3. Known as the Love Life Amendment, the change to the state constitution is needed because of developments in 14 other states, where in each case a state court ruled that in the state constitution there was a right to abortion or the right to force the state to pay for abortions – but based on a creative interpretation of a general phrase or vague wording and not on anything that specifically stated such rights. The Love Life Amendment does not outlaw abortion or address such controversies as exceptions for rape and incest. The language simply makes clear that there is no stated right to abortion in the Louisiana Constitution: Amendment #1: Do you support an amendment declaring that, to protect human life, a right to abortion and the funding of abortion shall not be found in the Louisiana Constitution? Please protect the unborn and vote “yes” on Amendment #1. … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The 2020 Youth Evangelism Celebration is going on the road this year for three one-night events called “YEC: Limited Edition.” Originally, YEC was scheduled to convene at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, Nov. 22-23, but novel coronavirus pandemic attendance restrictions caused the event to move to a regional format. First Baptist Church in Haughton will host the first of these smaller gatherings, Nov. 8, 6-8 p.m. Eddie Briery, pastor of The Church at Red River in Shreveport, will be the main speaker. Louisiana College will host the second in the series, Nov. 11, 6-8 p.m. Derek “Griff” Griffon, student pastor at The Bayou Church in Lafayette, will be the main speaker. This event also will be livestreamed on the Louisiana Baptist website for groups who can’t attend. First Baptist Church in Lafayette will close out YEC: Limited Edition, Nov. 15, 6-8 p.m. Shane Pruitt, National Next Gen Evangelism Director for the North American Mission Board, will be the guest speaker. Nick Parish, interim worship leader at Grawood Baptist Church in Keithville, will provide music at all three regional events. All participants will be required to wear a mask at the three … [Read more...]

By John Kyle Louisiana Baptist communications director ALEXANDRIA, La. – Without the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering, the multi-media outreach, “Here for You,” would not exist. That’s according to John Kyle, director of communications for Louisiana Baptists. “In a sense, Georgia Barnette and ‘Here for You’ are a marriage made in ‘missions heaven,’” Kyle noted. “Missions mean go – go to places and people who need to hear the Gospel. That’s exactly what “Here for You” is doing. Only we’re doing this inside the borders of Louisiana.” Launched in the summer of 2014 as part of the President’s 2020 Commission, “Here for You” is attempting to impact the estimated 2 million people in Louisiana who do not have relationships with Christ. “We talk a lot about those two million people and occasionally we’ll pray for them. ‘Here for You’ is an intentional effort to consistently go where they live and work, and creatively seed God’s truth in their hearts.” Georgia Barnette gifts supported pilot campaigns in three of Louisiana’s seven markets from 2014 – 2018. “Here for You” launched statewide in February 2019. Kyle says much was gleaned from the pilot campaigns. “‘Here for You’ started out as the tagline for the … [Read more...]