By Will Hall, Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Letters show that Georgia Barnette’s first impressions of the Pelican state were love at first sight. Arriving by train from Atlanta, Barnette remarked how moved she was by the landscape she saw. “Surely God loved Louisiana because He made it so beautiful,” she wrote to a friend. Years later, after having retired from serving 25 years as the director of the Woman’s Missionary Union in the state, and awaiting her last breath, she lay in her bed praying for her “beloved Louisiana people.” In between these two bookends in her life, Georgia Barnette was motivated by her “value of one soul” and tirelessly worked to build up the body of Christ and minister to those in need, while inspiring Louisiana Baptists to take the Gospel across the state. Her legacy of love for Christ and the people of Louisiana continues through the state missions offering that was named for her in 1936. The goal for the 2022 Georgia Barnette Offering is $1.7 million, an amount that supplements what Louisiana Baptists give through the Cooperative Program, the primary funding channel for state and national Baptist causes. for state and national Baptist causes. CP gifts provide … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – U.S. Congresswoman Julia Letlow encouraged 70 ladies gathered for a Women on Mission meeting to remain hopeful in difficult circumstances. Letlow, during the monthly meeting, Aug. 11, at First Baptist Church, Pineville, shared how her faith in Christ sustained her after her husband, Luke, died from COVID-19 complications, Dec. 29, 2020. He was just five days from taking office after winning an election the month before to succeed Ralph Abraham, who retired from Congress. She later won the seat in a special-called election in March 2021. “He doesn’t waste an experience, good or bad, for His calling and His purpose in our lives,” Letlow said. “I am so thankful to be able to choose hope. I continue to choose hope. I think it’s so important for my children to see that in their mom, when life knocks you down you have a choice to make. You can either stay down or you can get up and you can continue to walk in faith.” Letlow said serving others is a way to move forward when tragedy strikes. “When you are hurting get outside of yourself, serve other people,” she said. “And that will provide healing and give you hope.”   … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists Children and Youth Education Strategist Jess Archer has been named the new executive director and treasurer for the South Carolina Baptist Convention Woman’s Missionary Union. Archer will join the staff Oct. 24 and will assume her new role Jan. 1, 2023. She will follow Laurie Register, who retires Dec. 31 after serving South Carolina’s WMU for more than 29 years (including 14 of those as executive director-treasurer). “I am eternally grateful to the Lord for calling me by name to this new position,” Archer told the Baptist Message. “And I am ready to see what God has in store for South Carolina Woman’s Missionary Union.” A graduate of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Archer has spent the last eight-and-a-half years helping women and young people develop a deeper passion for missions. During her time with Louisiana Baptists, Archer has served on the Women’s Missions and Ministry team as a catalyst to develop and encourage mission’s education through WMU for preschool, children and youth in the state’s Baptist churches. She also has trained countless leaders of all ages in … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) - Pastor John Fream said Cypress Baptist Church has several “non-negotiable” practices they use in their mission to reach Benton and beyond for Jesus Christ. Fream, during the ReGroup Sunday school training conference at First Baptist Church, Lafayette, Aug. 6, said his members at Cypress Baptist preach and live out the Word of God, are soul winners, follow the Great Commandment and use Sunday school, worship and big events to draw others to Christ. Fream was the keynote speaker for ReGroup that focused on strengthening discipleship efforts. The conference included breakout sessions for pastors/staff/key leaders; preschool/children, youth and adult leaders. ReGroup focuses on four areas – sharing the Gospel, developing biblical community, helping believers mature spiritually, and equipping believers to live missionally, with special emphasis on maximizing Gospel impact. Since he became pastor 14 years ago, Fream has seen Cypress Baptist grow from 450 in Sunday worship to 2,600 and baptize new converts each Sunday (including 173 since January). Fream said he reminds his members they are on mission to share the Gospel wherever they go. “Life’s too short,” he said. “The … [Read more...]

By Message staff ST. LOUIS (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Strategist Stan Statham has issued a call for volunteers for a response in areas impacted by recent flooding in Kentucky and Missouri. Statham told the Baptist Message teams from Eastern Louisiana Association and the Lake Charles area will be needed to serve on mud-out and shower units. A team from First Baptist Church, LaPlace, also has been activated to bring generators. The first teams will be sent out around Aug. 8 or 9, and will join dozens of other state Baptist conventions who have sent teams to hard hit areas of eastern Kentucky and St. Louis, Mo. The call for DR team members comes after nearly a foot of rain fell in parts of eastern Kentucky and St. Louis, the Associated Press reported. At least 37 died from flooding in Kentucky and two deaths were reported in St. Louis. “Prayer is important for those impacted and our volunteers who are going,” Statham said. “And if people would like to give, that would be a big help because it helps fund our travel expenses and equipment used.” For more information on responding or giving, call 318.448.3402 or … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff LAS VEGAS (LBM) – Ben Waites, a Christian musical recording artist and 2010 graduate of Louisiana Christian University, is one of four contestants vying for the final spot on America’s Got Talent. During the Aug. 2 episode on NBC, the show’s judges chose 54 acts to advance to the live show on Aug. 9 and opened up voting for the final “Wildcard” spot. After the show on Aug. 2, Waites appealed to his fans to help him advance to the next round. “I need y’all’s help!!!,” Waites wrote on his Facebook page. “America’s Wildcard Save is open!” To vote, go to agt.vote.nbc.com. … [Read more...]

By Staff, Louisiana Baptist Message PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Christian University presently is accepting applications for fall enrollment in its TEACH alternative certificate program that the school hopes will help place more teachers into the school system. Previously, the school just offered summer enrollment for those who had a bachelor’s degree and wished to earn state certification in education. To accommodate the growing needs, LCU decided to expand the program. “We are hopeful this fall group will attract those who missed the summer start,” said Victory Lindo-Lemons, LCU assistant professor of education and TEACH program coordinator. “We basically want to change the narrative to say that it’s not too late to join the TEACH program and earn your master’s degree while pursuing certification.” Students must complete 21 hours to become certified. According to the Rapides Parish School Board website, schools in the parish have more than 98 teaching positions that need to be filled with school starting Aug. 8. RPSB Superintendent Jeff Powell said LCU continues to be a strong partner through its TEACH program. “Each year there is a big need to fill the dozens of vacancies left by those retiring, moving, … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff SUCEAVE, Romania (LBM) – A Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief team responded to a “last minute” call to Romania, July 11-22, and was rewarded by seeing many Gospel seeds planted in Ukrainian refugees and relief workers through food and Bible distribution. Tommy Middleton, associational mission strategist for Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge, led the team of six individuals who spent time at Suceave, Romania (located on the border with Ukraine). The team previously was scheduled to travel to Poland to do ministry work with Ukrainian refugees but changed their plans at the request of SEND Relief. During their time there, the team handed out bottled water, power bars, cookies, chips, and Bibles that were in both the Ukrainian and Romanian languages to refugees and relief workers. The Bibles and bottled water had a QR code attached to them, which directed individuals to a website that had a Gospel presentation. While the team did not see anyone come to accept Christ, the group was able to share the Gospel with countless individuals. “While these people were not on the level of the Ukrainian refugees three months ago, they were open to hearing the Gospel,” Middleton told the Baptist … [Read more...]