By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) – An ongoing emphasis on evangelism and small groups has helped fuel steady growth at First Baptist Church, Lafayette. “During the last 12 months, the Lord has blessed the energy and effort we have put into what God has called us to do,” Pastor James Pritchard told the Baptist Message. “We have tried to cast a vision and make plans to do so in a biblical way. “While the Bible did not have the same exact methodology we have today, the principles of that methodology are the same,” he continued. “That includes a big emphasis on prayer – praying for Kingdom needs and for lost people – as well as intentional evangelism and small groups.” During the church’s most recent calendar year (Sept. 1, 2021-Aug. 31, 2022), they celebrated 155 baptisms, compared to 57 the previous year; and the most baptisms in any single year for the church, since 1998-1999, when they recorded 157. Moreover, the church has seen growth in Sunday school and worship. FBC Lafayette started 10 new Sunday school classes in 2021 and another 13 since January. The church also saw Sunday worship attendance increase from 870 in September 2021 to 1,078 in August 2022. RISING ABOVE … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Foundation Executive Director Jeffrey Steed will be the guest speaker at the First@First business leadership luncheon at First Baptist Church, Pineville, Oct. 6 at 11:45 a.m. “I am very honored to be a part of the First@First event tomorrow at First Baptist Church Pineville,” Steed told the Baptist Message. “I will be sharing some about the Louisiana Baptist Foundation’s ministry as well as sharing a devotional on Responding to Economic and Financial Turmoil.” Next month’s luncheon on Nov. 3 will feature Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Associate/Volunteer Mobilizer Mark Morelock, who was scheduled to speak at the Oct. 6 gathering but was deployed to help with Hurricane Ian relief operations in Naples, Florida. First@First is a ministry to the business leaders of Central Louisiana. Launched in 2015, the purpose of the monthly luncheon is to provide principles for leadership as well as encouragement and motivation to area leaders. The cost of the luncheon is $10. Reservations may be made by visiting https://fbcpineville.secure2.agroup.com/events/firstfirstaugust/2022-10-06+12%3A00%3A00. … [Read more...]

SHREVEPORT, La. – Step Martin, noted throughout the state for his 33-years as pastor Calvary Baptist Church, Shreveport, his evangelistic and mission work, his involvement in the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and his ability to reach the lost, passed away Sept. 23. He was 89. Born Nov. 18, 1933 in Pelahatchie, Mississippi, Brother Step, as so many called him, attended Hinds Junior College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he quarterbacked the championship football team. After graduation, he transferred to William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and continued to play football. Early in his time at Carey, Brother Step experienced a life-changing moment when he began to understand that the life he was living and the future that he had planned were meaningless and empty. One night in October 1954, Brother Step found himself, desperate for answers, at the door of Dean of Men Andy Tate. When he knocked on that door, Tate welcomed him and said, “Come on in, ‘Step, I’ve been waiting for you.” Tate opened his Bible and shared that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Tate explained that God loved Brother Step deeply and that the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NAPLES, Florida (LBM) – Less than a week after Hurricane Ian slammed into the southwest Florida coast, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams are on the ground to “give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name” to those affected by the powerful storm. According to Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry Team Director John Hebert, a shower (Carey Baptist Association) and laundry unit (District 8 Baptist Convention), feeding unit (Rolling Hills Ministry, Ruston), and incident command unit (Louisiana Baptist Convention) are presently working out of First Baptist Church, Naples and have been there since Oct. 3. Assisting Louisiana were teams from the Texas Baptist Men and Ohio Baptist Convention. The feeding team on Monday cooked 2,100 meals that were distributed to residents impacted by the storm. Hebert said they may serve up to 5,000 meals on Tuesday. Mud out teams are expected to arrive later this week to work in homes that were severely damaged by the storm, which made landfall Sept. 28 near Cayo Costa, a protected barrier island 50 miles north of Naples. Ian brought catastrophic winds of 155 mph (two miles shy of Category 5 strength), rain and an estimated 12-foot storm … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist disaster relief units are marshaling their forces in response to calls for help after powerful Hurricane Ian came roaring ashore Florida Sept. 28. Feeding, shower, chainsaw, mud out, chaplaincy and assessment teams from throughout the state (with assistance from Texas Baptist Men and the Ohio Baptist Convention) will minister for at least four to six weeks in an undetermined site in Fort Myers, which is just east of where the center made landfall Wednesday near Cayo Costa, a protected barrier island. Feeding teams arrive this weekend while the rest is the teams will depart next week. Ian, a Category 4 storm with winds of 155 mph, left more than 2.5 million homes and businesses without electricity in Southwest Florida Thursday morning, according to PowerOutage.us. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says Floridians can anticipate more outages in central and northeastern Florida as the storm continues to make its way north. The National Hurricane Center noted the storm was still expected to produce strong winds, heavy rains and storm surge across parts of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Ian is moving toward the northeast near 8 mph, with an increase in … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Christian University is preparing to give students an exclusive view of campus and academic life during what President Rick Brewer has called the most significant “Preview Day” for the school. “More Christian students from our churches need the educational experience we provide, which is devoid of the woke and critical theories agenda,” Brewer told the Baptist Message. “Equipping hearts and minds to engage with competence and confidence a turbulent culture has never been more needed than at this seminal moment. Additionally, we are moving our enrollment forward after a period of two years when COVID-19 practically reduced opportunities to meet prospective students face-to-face either on campus or off. “‘Preview’ Day will allow students to have a fun time, meet coaches and faculty and learn about what it’s going to take to get that degree,” he continued. “It’s a win-win for our LCU community, churches around the state and prospective students. I am urging pastors and youth pastors to load a van full of students and join us.” Scheduled for Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., “Preview Day” will allow guests to tour the campus, gain details about classes … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – God has revealed himself so others may know Him and find life in His Son, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Jamie Dew said during the recent E4 Preaching Conference. Citing Psalm 19, Dew told a record E4 crowd of 92 pastors and 14 pas[1]tors’ wives at First Baptist Church, Pineville, that God reveals himself in creation, reveals himself in His Word and reveals himself to us in personal ways that we may know Him and be saved. “This God wants us to worship Him,” Dew said. “This God wants us to find life and joy and richness and fulfillment in worship of him. This God wants us to find redemption. That’s something the world had never seen until Christianity.” Dew reminded participants that of all creation, man is the most special. However, he said despite warning Adam and Eve to avoid sin, they disobeyed His command and subsequently brought a curse to all creation: death, guilt, hostility and difficulty. “Thus, we see that there were real genuine consequences for all of mankind as a result of Adam’s sin,” he noted. “When sin entered the picture, blessing and peace began to erode. In the end, man was left in a difficult situation.” But God … [Read more...]