By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ZWOLLE, La. (LBM) – Jerry Penfield traveled around the world as a member of the U.S. Air Force, but he said that even that thrilling part of his life’s journey paled in comparison to the great adventure he has experienced as a minister for the past 44 years. “I have enjoying seeing people grow in their spiritual walk,” Penfield told the Baptist Message. “It’s so exciting to see people come to Christ and then begin their walk on the path to a great rest of their life with God.” In 2021, Penfield was named a Louisiana Baptist Convention Exemplary Bi-vocational Pastor of the Year for his dedication to ministry. Born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Penfield spent his childhood traveling with his family to Alabama, Alaska and Japan (his father, Ray, served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War as a member of the Air Force). While the family was stationed in Montgomery, Alabama, an 11-year-old Penfield attended a revival service at Court Street Baptist Church and gave his heart to Christ. “I somehow got separated from the rest of my family one night during the service and remember the Holy Spirit speaking to me that night,” Pen[1]field said. “That evening changed … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff NAPLES, Florida (LBM) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary student Sophia Roark recently saw God at work among residents impacted by Hurricane Ian during her first ever disaster relief trip. Roark served on a mud-out team Oct. 17-20 in Naples, Florida, with fellow NOBTS student Jordan Matthews and a team from Paramount Baptist Church, Amarillo, Texas. While there, Roark and Matthews helped complete three jobs and visited with one homeowner who just the day before had accepted Christ during a visit from another DR team. “The woman I met lost a lot in her home, but was changed forever after she found Jesus,” Roark told the Baptist Message. “To meet her and to hear her story, was so uplifting and encouraging. Just to see how God was at work amongst all that devastation left me wanting to go on another disaster relief trip. “Both of us were tired from the work, but after we got back to Louisiana, we were refreshed and can’t wait to serve again,” she said. “I have such a deeper respect for all those who serve during times of a disaster, like a hurricane.” The NOBTS students are among 106 Louisiana Baptist DR team members who have ministered in Naples since Oct. 3. Assisting Louisiana were … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer DRY PRONG, La. (LBM) – An attack by the Powhatan tribe on the colony of Jamestown, Virginia, was imminent on March 22, 1622, but a warning from an Indian convert to Christianity saved the life of settler Richard Pace and many others. Upon learning of the plot, Pace immediately traveled by boat across the James River into Jamestown to warn those living in the area. While 347 died in the attack, many more were saved. Kevin Goodman, a descendant of Pace, and pastor of First Baptist Church, Dry Prong, is thankful God used the Indian named “Chanco” to alert the family of the planned attack. “Somehow, someway, God was working behind the scenes,” Goodman told the Baptist Message. “This Indian could have sat on the information and not told Richard about it, but he had the courage to speak up and alert him. “Richard then rowed his boat across the river to warn his countryman and save some lives,” he continued. “It’s a reminder that when God stirs something up and wants us to share it, we don’t need to just sit and be idle.” William Stith, a historian and third president of the College of William and Mary, documented the impact Chanco had in saving Pace and his … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer TROUT, La. (LBM) – For the last 20 years, Pastor R.V. Couch has devoted his life to sharing how Christ can set men free, especially inside prisons. “It’s been such a joy,” said Couch, interim pastor at Dunbarton Baptist Church, Ferriday, and a 2021 Louisiana Baptist Convention Exemplary Bi-vocational and Retired Pastor of the Year award winner. “I never thought that I would ever do this as a child. I have enjoyed it thoroughly and everywhere I have gone there is a purpose that God has equipped me to do.” CALLED AMID DARKNESS A lifelong resident of Jena, Couch was working as a repairman in 1990 when his wife, Malcolm, was undergoing treatment for cancer. While she was having surgery, Mickey Hudnall, then pastor of Summerville Baptist Church, Olla, and now associational missions strategist for Ouachita Baptist Association, paid a visit to the hospital and prayed with the couple. At that moment, Couch’s eyes were open to the Gospel, and soon afterward, he accepted Christ. A year later, Couch felt a call to ministry during a revival service with Aimoch Baptist, Olla. Then he began accompanying Hudnall to Raymond Laborde Correctional Center, Cottonport, to minister to … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ROGERS, Ark. (LBM) – A tent at a motorcycle rally served as a tabernacle of sorts for 81 new believers who offered themselves as “living sacrifices” in turning their lives over to Christ during the recent “Bikes, Blues and Barbecue Rally” in Rogers, Arkansas. Bikers from around the country rallied, Oct. 6-8, in the mountainous community, and 22 members of several Louisiana F.A.I.T.H Riders were there, offering an opportunity to win a daily drawing of $500 to anyone who listened to a three-minute testimony about Christ. By the end of the three-day event, the members from chapters with Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville, and Calvary Baptist Church, Ruston, joined other F.A.I.T.H. Riders chapters from across the United States to share Christ with 755 people. The F.A.I.T.H. Riders chapter of Cross Church, a multi-site congregation with a campus in Rogers, hosted the event and will follow up with those who made decisions for Jesus. Jesse Littleton, assistant state director for Louisiana F.A.I.T.H. Riders, was among those who led a biker to Christ. After one woman admitted she would spend eternity in hell, Littleton shared she had another option. “She questioned a lot of … [Read more...]

By Staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – U.S. Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) will be the keynote speaker at Louisiana Christian University’s Value and Ethics series, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Johnson, who is a member of Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, and represents 15 parishes in Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, will share with his wife, Kelly, about the importance of religion and morality and what can be done to restore it in the United States. “Kelly and I are looking forward to the event because we love the idea behind the Values and Ethics Series,” Johnson told the Baptist Message. “It’s unfortunate that most universities today would never host such discussions. There is too little emphasis on these subjects today, and the foundations of our country are being destroyed because of it. “On November 10, we will discuss why the founders insisted that religion and morality were essential to maintain our republic, and how we can all work to restore those pillars before it is too late.” The public is encouraged to attend this free event in Guinn Auditorium. COMMUNITY AWARNESS FAIR LCU’s Psychology Club will hold a Community Awareness Fair, Oct. 28. Services and information will be available on domestic violence, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SAINT FRANCISVILLE, La. (LBM) – Judson Baptist Retreat Center, a camp owned by churches of the Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge, has voted to cease operations, and to sell the property. During the BAGBR annual meeting Oct. 16, a task force that was formed to study the camp’s future presented their motion to close the facility and messengers approved the recommendation. BAGBR Director of Missions Tommy Middleton told the Baptist Message he has spent the last 36 years leading camps and enjoying all that Judson Retreat Center offered. The decision was not easy, Middleton said, but the task force spent a great deal of time in prayer in coming to this conclusion. “Our task force was composed of 10 members, most of whom have been very active in the work at Judson Retreat Center over the years,” Middleton said in a statement to the Baptist Message. “Our chairman, Keith Horton, was outstanding in leading this group; and we are grateful for his excellent shepherding of the entire process. “Our camp director, Justin Busby, and his wife Kim, have done incredible work to continue the ministry, going above and beyond the call of duty over these last five years. We could … [Read more...]