By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – After months of the Holy Spirit working on his heart, Will Sharbino, 11, finally was convicted of his need for a Savior, during a revival service, March 23, at the First Baptist Church, Pineville. Leading up to that night, Sharbino had been soaking in biblical truths from his family as well as faithful teaching by his FBC Pineville Sunday school teacher, he shared with the Baptist Message. After that revival service, he went home and prayed with his parents, repenting of his sins, and committing to follow Jesus as Lord. “I realized I was a sinner and knew Jesus had forgiven me for what I had done,” Shabrino said. “I then knew He lives inside my heart and that I would now go to live in Heaven one day with God.” INTENTIONALITY Sharbino, along with six others, publicly shared his faith decision during a special baptismal celebration, March 28, at FBC Pineville. The baptisms were visible evidence of the rejuvenation experienced by the congregation from the four-day revival services. Stephen Rummage, pastor of Quail Creek Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, preached and the FBC Pineville worship team and choir led music each night, March 21-24, and … [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 Jesse Balch is the new pastor at Bosco Baptist Church, Monroe. Charley Westbrook has resigned as pastor from Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs and is available for pulpit supply. Mark Talbot is the interim pastor at Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs HOMECOMING Beech Springs Baptist Church, Minden: 150th Anniversary, September 2021. The church is in the process of looking for prior/current members for whom they have lost contact in preparation for its anniversary celebration. Please send name(s), address, phone and email to beechspringsbs2@suddenlink.net. Pastor: Randy Brown. REVIVAL New Hope Baptist Church, Calcasieu: The Mackey Willis Family in concert, June 5. Worship: Mackey Willis Family. Pastor: Robert McLane. Laurel Hill Baptist Church, LaCamp: Revival, June 6-9, Sunday at 10 a.m. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer BALL, La. (LBM) – Nathan Law, Joshua Pugh and Macey Baze were chosen to represent Louisiana at the national competition at Dallas Baptist University, June 17-18, following the recent state Youth and High School Bible Drill, and Speakers’ Tournament. The event, which was postponed last year by COVID-19 safety concerns, drew 62 children and 96 youth to Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball, April 24. Bible Drill is a discipleship program for children and youth to help increase their knowledge of the Bible. It is also fun as children learn to memorize Scripture and gain confidence in their knowledge of the Bible and their ability to quickly locate significant passages with ease. Participants in the state Bible Drill and Speakers’ Tournament advanced from the district level after competing in their local churches. “We are so thankful that we were able to host state Bible Drill and Speakers’ Tournament in-person this year,” Louisiana Baptist Youth Ministry Strategist Brandon Lewis told the Baptist Message. “The students worked hard and did a fantastic job. The scriptures that have been hidden in students’ hearts is a treasure that will remain with them forever. We’re also thankful for … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Corporate prayer at 7:14 every morning and evening, in the months following the onset of COVID-19, have sparked a renewed commitment to discipleship and evangelism among Louisiana Baptists. At least 30 members of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, have joined the prayer movement, based on 2 Chronicles 7:14, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” The twice-daily prayer times, in effect since mid-March and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, also attract 150 others from across the nation to participate regularly. The call is sponsored by Project 200, a nationwide community of men passionate about the Great Commission which includes an emphasis on discipleship. Jeff Draughon, a CBCA member as well as a member of the Project 200 board, said prayer calls have been a “game changer” for so many individuals and families across the country and even internationally. He noted that more than 700 calls have taken place since March 19, 2020. “The powerful, spirit-filled devotionals have been led by … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – Recognizing the need for personal revival, Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn announced a 28-day personal revival guide that he hopes hundreds of churches and members will engage with later this year. “We are in a desperate situation,” Horn told Executive Board members during their May 4 meeting at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth. “We are doomed. I am asking the Lord and seeking the Lord about what could be my part in helping that. I am not even sure we are ready for revival in terms of mass evangelism right now, but instead what we are desperate for is personal revival.” State missions services staff began a joint focus on personal revival May 9 and will conclude June 5, using Horn’s booklet, “Change Me.” The effort is based on Psalm 139:23-24. “It is my prayer, my vision and my dream that we will have hundreds of churches in Louisiana at the end of 2021 or to start 2022 that will seek the Lord for personal revival,” Horn said. “And, so, pray for us as a staff over the next 28 days as the Lord brings that to your attention and pray that each one, most of all me, would have a sense of God doing something new, fresh and real in our … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff LAKE CHARLES, La. (LBM) - Heavy rainfall on Monday, May 16, dumped up to 15 inches in parts of southwest Louisiana and other areas of the state still recovering from Hurricanes Delta and Laura that devastated the region last year. “We know that this situation is becoming a little too familiar for a lot of us in Lake Charles,” Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter said in a video update on the city’s Facebook page. “This is another challenge, but it is not a challenge that we are not capable of handling.” Accuweather said the rainfall on Monday was the third-wettest day on record for Lake Charles. According to the National Weather Service, more than 15 inches of rain fell in south Lake Charles and other areas received up to 12 inches of rain. The excessive rain caused flash flooding that stranded cars in city streets and sent water inside homes. The Advocate newspaper reported that 10-12 inches of water fell in the Baton Rouge area, flooding streets and stranding some motorists m in their cars. St. George Fire Department crews performed multiple water rescues of motorists who drove into high water. Motorists also were stranded at the intersection of Camellia Blvd. and Johnston Street in Lafayette, … [Read more...]