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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Anyone can be saved

“It can happen to anyone.” Have you heard this expression before? You may have said it to someone or maybe, someone said it to you when you made an uncharacteristic mistake, misunderstood someone’s direction, or overlooked something that was literally right in front of you. No matter what, no matter where, no matter when, “it can happen to anyone.” … [Read more...]

Hammond pregnancy care center given ultrasound machine

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer HAMMOND, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana Baptist Convention, Northshore Baptist Association and Louisiana Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries have teamed up with the Psalm 139 Project to provide an ultrasound machine for women in crisis pregnancies. Leaders from all four ministries attended a Nov. 15 dedication for the ultrasound machine donated to the Restoration House Pregnancy Resource Center in Hammond, through the Psalm 139 Project, a pro-life ministry of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Funds were given by the LBC, NBA and LBCHFM and forwarded to the Psalm 139 Project, which then coordinated the purchase and delivery of the machine, and in September provided the necessary training for the staff of the pregnancy resource center. Since 2004, the Psalm 139 Project has provided more than 80 ultrasound machines to pregnancy care centers across the country. The project provided an ultrasound machine in 2012 to the LBCHFM for use in a mobile pregnancy unit and in 2018 to the Baptist Community Health Services in New Orleans’ lower 9th Ward. Coleen Enmon, Restoration House board member and co-manager, said 25 women have used the … [Read more...]

Culture of evangelism

Culture. Louisiana is known for it. Our food. Our celebrations. Our hospitality. While I acknowledge and enjoy those things, my heart’s desire is for Louisiana in general, and Louisiana Baptists in particular, to be known for a culture where lives are transformed by people who are transformed  – by the power of the gospel. I’m calling this a culture of evangelism. … [Read more...]

Parts of South damaged after Thanksgiving week tornadoes

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – A series of strong winter storms, Nov. 20, produced heavy rainfall, high winds and several tornados across parts of Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. The storm system caused severe damage in Cottonport (located in Avoyelles Parish).  According to a video by Live Storms Media, the tornado left behind downed trees, damage to homes and destroyed a mobile home. In Alexandria heavy rain and wind pounded the area as the storm passed through. A possible tornado also was reported at 2:40 p.m. southwest of Colfax (Grant Parish) with structural damage being reported by the NWS. Additionally, downed trees were reported near Ferriday, Midway and Pollock. As of 10 a.m., 74 CLECO customers were without electricity. The same storm system that impacted Louisiana was expected to hit other areas of the country at it moves further eastward. According to the Weather Channel, more severe weather is possible in the Southeast, the Midwest may see rain, a few snowflakes and strong winds, and parts of New England could see snow. AAA projects 55.4 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, which would be a 2.3 percent increase … [Read more...]

Louisiana Christian to host student worship collaborative

PINEVILLE, La. (Wildcats Media) -- Calling all high school church musicians and worship leaders to join us at Louisiana Christian University! LCU will host its inaugural Nex Gen Worship Collaborative on Feb. 23-24. High school-aged praise bands will have the unique opportunity to visit campus and share their music while receiving quality feedback from our clinicians. All participants will be considered for LCU scholarships. “There are many students, throughout Louisiana and beyond, who are deeply involved in music outside of the school day at home and in churches, yet they likely have few opportunities to play in a setting like this,” said Jacob Wittkopp, coordinator of Department of Fine Arts. “We seek to do our part in helping to engage and equip the future generation of worship leaders.” Next Gen Worship Collaborative provides a place where students can share their talents and walk away with new inspiration and a broadened community. “We want to provide an outlet for youth praise bands to grow and learn more about worship and how to play skillfully,” said LCU President Rick Brewer.  “This annual event will also provide students with in-depth information regarding LCU’s new Worship Arts and Production major. … [Read more...]

Rosalynn Carter, former first lady, dies at 96

Rosalynn Carter, the first lady who prioritized humanitarian causes in the U.S. and abroad, died today (Nov. 19) at the age of 96. According to a release from the Carter Center, she died peacefully, with family by her side. Her husband, Jimmy Carter, served as President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. Much of the Carters’ 77-year marriage found them working together. After her husband’s term as president, the Carters moved back to their hometown of Plains, Georgia, where they were active at Maranatha Baptist Church. The former president taught a popular Sunday School class and Rosalynn served as a deacon. In 1982, they established The Carter Center to address health crises, ensure fair elections and resolve conflict around the world. Rosalynn created and led the center’s Mental Health Task Force, having advocated for mental health reform during her husband’s time as Georgia’s governor and as president. She also established the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers to advocate for the unique needs of people providing care for children and adults. Helping others The Carters spent decades volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and established an annual building project to provide affordable housing in the … [Read more...]

Pastors Conference: Have joy in ministry

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – During the 2023 Louisiana Baptist Pastor’s Conference, Nov. 13, hosted by the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, speakers offered words of encouragement and conviction to pastors. SERVE WITH JOY Leroy Fountain, a Louisiana Baptist church health strategist, spoke during the opening session from Acts 20:16-24 to urge the crowd to endure with joy. Fountain said as Christ followers strive to finish their races, they must remember there is a prize for those who compete, they must prepare for the spiritual battle and they must persevere. He encouraged pastors not to focus on the size or location of their church, but rather to work hard for Christ and the Kingdom. “God has placed you there and you should be faithful there,” he said. “If you really want to finish your race with joy, you must keep your eyes on the prize.” He challenged the pastors not to give up as they run the race and to remember what waits for them at the finish line. “The payoff of the race of faith is Heaven, it’s everlasting life and it’s everlasting joy,” he said. “But in order to get that everlasting joy, we must endure the challenges and the difficulties. We must … [Read more...]