By Message Staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana will remain in Phase Two of reopening the state’s economy, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Monday. During a news conference, Edwards said that he had hoped to move into Phase Three on Friday, which would have eased additional restrictions. The state has been under the current order since June 5. Under the order, churches will continue to be restricted to 50 percent capacity, and, a 250 person indoor maximum was added. Edwards said the decision was based upon data from the Louisiana Department of Health showing that new novel coronavirus related cases and hospitalizations have increased statewide. He said the state has seen an increase of hospitalizations in three regions, and ranks seventh out of 23 states across the nation experiencing an increase in positive COVID-19 cases. He added that Louisiana surpassed 50,000 positive cases and 3,000 deaths on Monday. The state’s population, according to the U.S. Census, is estimated to be around 4.6 million. “We have to continue to work to flatten the curve, to keep it flattened and make sure that we are moving in the right direction as it relates to case growth and to hospitalizations,” Edwards said. “I am convinced we … [Read more...]
Who is advising you?
By Stewart Holloway PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) - King Joash of Judah was only seven years old when he became king. During those years, Joash was advised by Jehoiada the priest. As long as Joash was under the authority of God’s priest, he did only good things. Most notably, he rebuilt and repaired the temple. However, as soon as Jehoiada died, Joash failed. He began listening to the wrong advisors and worshiping idols. Joash became so hardened that, even though God sent many prophets to bring the nation ...back to Him, Joash would not listen. His heart-hardness reached its climax when Jehoiada’s son Zechariah spoke against him. In response, Joash completely forgot the kindness of Jehoiada and had Zechariah stoned. Joash’s story is tragic. A good king became an evil king - all because he started listening to the wrong people. It matters to whom you listen. The people you choose or allow to speak into your life can radically alter your course. These people include your friends and family but also the people you read, listen to on the radio or podcasts, or watch on television or online. Be discerning in whom you allow to speak into your life. The wrong voice can lead you down the wrong path. Proverbs tells us that plans succeed … [Read more...]
Basile congregation thankful after fire
By Message Staff BASILE, La. (LBM) – First Baptist Church of Basile is thankful after a recent electrical fire caused only moderate damage and left no one injured. Mike Fontenot, pastor of First Baptist Basile, told the Baptist Message the fire was reported around 6:10 p.m. June 4 by leaders of the church’s Celebrate Recovery ministry who were preparing for their meeting. Fontenot said the fire was started in the church’s food pantry storage room, and clean-up of the facility was completed Wednesday. While the fire damage was covered by insurance, First Basile must replace two refrigerators and one freezer that was used to store items that were distributed by the food pantry ministry. “We are so very grateful to God that we have been spared heavy damage and for all who have shown support through financial gifts and prayers,” Fontenot said. He said he is also thankful for a financial gift from Louisiana Baptists to help with repairs and replacing lost equipment. John Hebert, Louisiana Baptists missions and ministry team director, delivered a check from the state disaster relief fund to Fontenot Monday. “It’s rather unusual that in my 10 years as missions and ministry director we have not had the amount of fires to … [Read more...]
Mike Huckabee, Kelvin Cochran, Charles Stanley among national leaders of Conservative Baptist Network
By Message Staff BOSSIER CITY, La. (LBM) – The Conservative Baptist Network has identified prominent Southern Baptist leaders, including Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas; Kelvin Cochran, a former Atlanta, Georgia, police chief who won a $1.2 million settlement for wrongful termination by the city because of his biblical views about marriage and human sexuality; and, Charles Stanley, pastor of the historic First Baptist Church in Atlanta, and a former SBC president, as members of its 48-member national steering council. The grassroots movement of more than 5,000 individuals and churches “concerned about the current direction and perceived future of the convention,” also released a schedule of events that figure to help grow the nascent organization as it seeks to connect like-minded Baptists in the effort to "steer the Convention once again to a conservative position." Three events are available for registration: -- Awakening: A Plea for Revival (August 31, 2020, in Bossier City, Louisiana); -- The Conservative Baptist Bible Conference (September 17, 2020, Memphis, Tennessee); and, -- Pastor, Prophet, Patriot: A Freedom and Religious Liberty Event (October 27, 2020, Cleveland, Georgia). According to … [Read more...]
SBC war of words escalated by Maryland leader’s ‘can’t-preach white-boys’ statement
By Will Hall, Baptist Message Executive Editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – At a time of already heightened black-white tensions in the country, the executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland-Delaware has ratcheted up the rhetoric, using racist language on Twitter, June 14, in his defense of the push for women preachers in Southern Baptist pulpits. In supporting an innocuous social media post by Beth Moore -- the best-selling Bible study author for LifeWay Christian Resources, the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, and, someone who in recent years has been strident in her comments about those who oppose women preachers -- Kevin Smith, who is black, wrote, “I see why can’t-preach white-boys oppose her … she has [fire], they have talks, posing as sermons.” Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, who once advocated for the ordination of women, is one of several prominent Southern Baptist leaders who has strongly opposed the call for women preachers. Citing 1 Timothy 2:12 (“I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence,” NKJV), Mohler argued in a podcast last year that it is a matter of “biblical authority.” “Did the Holy … [Read more...]
Baptistery waters stir at Stillwater Baptist
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAMMOND, La. (LBM) – Shanika Washington’s life seemed to be spiraling out of control with a marriage in jeopardy and a persistent "me-first" attitude in all her relationsahips. But through a Bible study class at Stillwater Baptist Church in Hammond, Washington discovered that God wanted to be a part of her life, and she welcomed His offer of salvation. Subsequently, she experieced healing from her former attitude, and during a drive-in worship service April 26 she gave a public testimony of her changed heart by being baptized, along with another new believer, in a portable baptistery. “At that time I was apart from him, so I bore nothing,” Washington told the Baptist Message. “But God stepped in and turned my husband and I completely around. Now we live a life in which we are financially stable, our kids are back making good grades and doing very well, and my husband and I are a part of the audio and video ministry at our church. Now I’m a living testimony.” NEW BIRTHS DURING COVID-19 This year, Pastor Elltore Austin has baptized four new converts, including two since the novel coronavirus pandemic. He said the baptisms are a reflection of God’s faithfulness throughout the … [Read more...]
While closed during pandemic, Acadian Baptist Center opens new worship facility
By Message Staff EUNICE, La. (LBM) - Acadian Baptist Center leaders recently celebrated the completion of their first ever worship center. The $3 million, 18,000-sq.-ft. facility was finished May 13, and can accommodate up to 1,000 people. Construction began in April 2019. Camp Director James Newsom said he appreciated the effort led by builder Joey West, a member of First Baptist Church in Pine Prairie, and architect Brodie Ardoin, a member of First Baptist Church in Ville Platte. Many others in the area volunteered to help with the project, Newsom said. “The new worship center at ABC is an amazing miracle,” Newsom told the Baptist Message. “It is humbling to think thousands of young people will be worshipping there for many years to come even after we are long gone impacting our world for Christ.” … [Read more...]
Louisiana evangelist reaches 14 million in global event, 100,000 saved and counting
By Will Hall, Baptist Message Executive Editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Evangelist Sammy Tippit, president of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, trained 2 million Christians in May, primarily via WhatsApp, about how to share the Gospel with friends and family. As a result, millions more tuned in to a weekend evangelistic event broadcast on multiple media platforms in 11 languages, May 29-31. Moreover, organizers around the globe have reported one hundred thousand first-time professions of faith, so far, and they expect that tens of thousands more have been saved. The special one-hour program included a message on Matthew 7:24-27 (The Wise and Foolish Builders) by Tippit, a digitally integrated choir of individuals singing remotely across the globe, music by Jennifer Turner, the wife of country music star Josh Turner, and testimonies by Jay Begbie, pastor of Bethsaida Baptist Church in Many, and Guy Wolcott, a businessman in Portland, Oregon. “The responses that we have received from the broadcast have been wonderful,” Tippit told the Baptist Message. “There are so many hurting and needy people searching the Internet and looking for hope. We have the message that provides the only lasting hope.” MILLIONS … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Healing the divide with Fred Luter and Dennis Watson
By Message Staff NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) - New Orleans pastors Fred Luter and Dennis Watson recently participated in a dialogue about race, relations, respect and restoration. The discussion took place virtually on June 7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPa6gsDlAyM&fbclid=IwAR1eN621YV0YJtvXhE_gyRcNvseTs28-G5anq5zZ7l3ztaSbRnP_cgTKa7A … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptists remain faithful during social, economic storm
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - While many businesses in the state have been hit hard by coronavirus-related closings or reduced operations, a number of Louisiana Baptist congregations have reported remarkable faithfulness by members in financially supporting ministries across the state. Stacy Morgan, an associate with the Louisiana Baptists communications team, said most of the almost 400 pastors he has spoken with since mid-March have reported little to no significant financial hardships. He said creative measures taken to continue worship services, offer online giving platforms as well as the special efforts by pastors to touch the lives of their congregations despite "social distancing" and "stay-at-home" mandates have made a difference. “Church members are seeing first-hand how much their pastors care for them, and the pastors are really desperate to find any way necessary to reach their people,” Morgan told the Baptist Message. “Many churches are concerned about the coming months and the prospect of jobs returning. “However, God's faithfulness thus far has fueled their hope for the future,” he continued. “The recurring theme has been the faithfulness of God and His … [Read more...]
