By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LECOMPTE, La. (LBM) – Stewart Holloway has fond memories of attending various events and later serving on staff with First Baptist Church, Lecompte. But not long after he returned to the area in 2008 to pastor First Baptist Church, Pineville, Holloway noticed his former church needed revitalization. Now, FBC Lecompte has merged with FBC Pineville, with the final vote held at both campuses, May 1. Holloway told the Baptist Message he was overjoyed at the bittersweet decision made by the Lecompte congregation and is hopeful for what lies ahead for the two bodies that now are one. “We are really excited about what God has in store for both campuses as we move forward,” Holloway said. “This is my home church and I have been concerned about them. When I first went to seminary, I compared everything to First Baptist Lecompte and I was so proud of what that church was doing. To see them decline was disappointing. “When they approached us earlier this year, I was very excited about that because I could see the potential they had,” he continued. “In fact, that church has way more potential than they and others may realize. Though it will take it a lot of work to get the … [Read more...]

By Staff NEW ORLEANS, La. – Georgia pastor Inman J. Houston has been named the new CEO of Baptist Community Ministries. Houston, who assumes his responsibilities in June, is the first ordained minister to serve as CEO. The pastor of First Baptist Church Lawrenceville, Georgia, since 2008, Houston previously was on staff for five years at First Baptist Church in New Orleans, both as associate pastor of global impact and director of the Baptist Crossroads Project, a low-income housing initiative in the city’s Upper Ninth Ward. While at FBC New Orleans, Houston coordinated a response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that utilized nearly 10,000 volunteers to assist more 800 homeowners. He also help to start the home rebuilding effort of what is now referred to as Musicians’ Village. “Over 100 years ago, Baptists in New Orleans began dreaming of a Baptist hospital, and their legacy of service to God and the community continued with the creation of Baptist Community Ministries,” Houston said. “I have long appreciated BCM’s strategic impact, and the opportunity to lead such an institution is both exciting and humbling. I am truly honored by the board’s confidence.” As pastor of FBC Lawrenceville, Houston led the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer AVONDALE, La. (LBM) – Marc Daniels was a Jewish-turned-atheist searching for biblical truth when he found his answer with the First Baptist Church, Avondale, during a return trip from his honeymoon. His wife, Kristen, had grown up in the church and frequently prayed for him to accept Christ. After hearing a Sunday school lesson about the Roman centurion who acknowledged Jesus was Lord, Daniels realized he needed to do the same on Aug. 29, 1992. The day not only changed his spiritual eter- nity but paved the way for his return to the church eight years later -- as pastor. “Jesus was astonished at the centurion and scolded the crowd for their lack of faith,” Daniels told the Baptist Message. “That connected with me. knowledge about the Bible, but knew I needed to make a decision to walk away or surrender to Christ. I opened the door to Jesus, and everything changed.” In 2021, Daniels was named a Louisiana Baptist Convention Exemplary Bi-vocational Pastor of the Year for his dedication to his church and secular job (professor of biology at William Carey University, Hattiesburg, Mississippi). CHOSEN Three years after he made the decision to fol- low Christ, Daniels was completing … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer KENTWOOD, La. (LBM) – Evangelist Steve Paysen was on the Northshore for another assignment when he felt prompted to contact Spring Creek Baptist Church about a last-minute speaking engagement for March 23. Fewer than 24 hours later, the Holy Spirit used the Wednesday evening message to bring three teenage boys to make decisions for Christ. “Friends invited their friends to this service,” Paysen told the Baptist Message. “When young people see the fruit of their labor it really helps them catch the vision of evangelism and discipleship. And they become even more excited about sharing Jesus with others.” He encouraged churches to consider holding more evangelistic events on Wednesday nights because of the fruit that is yielded. “You always get a more diverse crowd,” Paysen said. “It’s a one-hour commitment, where you get in and get out. We saw that play out with the three teenagers who made a decision for Christ at Spring Creek Baptist.” Paysen, an evangelist with the P230 Foundation, said he has seen students more open to the Gospel during a mid-week gathering during his 17 years of experience both as a student minister in three churches (two that ranked among the … [Read more...]

By John Marcase, Special to the Baptist Message WINNFIELD, La. -- Cranford Jordan awoke and had no idea where he was located. He did not even know the date, he recounted, explaining how five days on a ventilator impacted him. The Winn Parish sheriff is among the millions of Americans who have contracted COVID-19. He also feels he is one of the fortunate ones. “The experts tell us if you are over 65, overweight, have high blood pressure and are a diabetic, and you get the virus, you are not going to make it,” said Jordan. “Well, here I am. I have all four of them and I’m still here. I’m part of the 13 percent that gets off the vent.” Jordan gave two reasons why he is part of that select 13 percent -- the medical and nursing staff at Rapides Regional Medical Center, and his Lord and Savior. “I’m here today because one, my good Lord,” says Jordan. “Prayers went up for me. And two, God answered the prayers through the nurses and medical staff at Rapides Regional Medical Center.” The irony that Jordan would recover from COVID-19 at the Alexandria hospital was not lost on him. Several years ago, Jordan had to take his sister to the emergency room at Rapides and the experience was not a pleasant one. “I told my … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer HOUMA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief recently completed a two-week pilot program dedicated to rebuilding homes damaged by Hurricane Ida in Houma. Florida and South Carolina disaster relief volunteers joined Texas Baptist Men to work alongside Louisiana team members, March 24-April 8, on 18 Houma homes. They also repaired the Bayou Baptist Association office (located in Gray) as well as buildings on the campuses of Christ Baptist Church and Couteau Baptist Church (both in Houma). Projects ranged from smaller jobs like replacing fence boards to more complex ones such as drywall installation, electrical line re-wiring and plumbing replacement. Teams were housed at Coteau Baptist Church, and funding for the project was provided by Louisiana, North Carolina and Texas Baptist Men disaster relief ministries. “We have learned during these two weeks what all is involved and chose to do projects of different magnitudes so we could learn what is needed logistically for all projects we would undertake in the future,” Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Associate and Volunteer Mobilizer Mark Morelock told the Baptist Message. “Once this is over, we can take what we … [Read more...]

By Staff LAFAYETTE, La. – The Bayou Church will demolish a 45-year-old building damaged by Hurricane Delta on April 25 that will make way for expansion of the Church’s existing facilities. According to a news release, the 33,000-sq.-ft. building sustained significant damage to its roof and infrastructure after Hurricane Delta made its way through the Lafayette area in October 2020. Built in 1979, the former skating rink, known as Roller City, has served as a worship and event space since it was purchased by the church in 1986. Senior Pastor Sean Walker said once demolished, the space will allow the church to add onto its current worship center and educational space. With a completion date expected in 2023, the additional space will include a large central lobby, new children’s space, a 250-seat multi-purpose worship venue, a coffee shop, and restrooms. “It’s a bittersweet day as this building has had so much ministry for decades; so many small groups, worship services, gatherings, meetings, people finding community, and so many people led to Christ in this place,” Walker said. “We are thankful for this building, but we’re excited about what the future holds. The demolition is paving the way for something new as we … [Read more...]