By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Applications are open for Louisiana Baptist churches who need a team of college students to coordinate their Vacation Bible School this summer. In its 15th year, GOLA (Go Louisiana) VBS is an emphasis by the Louisiana Baptist Collegiate Ministry that allows college students to serve on teams who spend the summer sharing God’s love through what is the largest evangelistic outreach of the year for many congregations. Churches in which the teams conduct a VBS normally have low baptisms and would have trouble coordinating such an event without the help of the GOLA VBS team. GOLA Strategist Ashley Jones expects to field two teams, each will comprise five college students. She also is seeking to hire two 23-25-year-old individuals to serve as team leaders. In addition to VBS, GOLA will utilize college students in three other areas of service this summer: as church staff, North American missionaries and international missionaries. Jones said the students who serve on GOLA teams are a blessing to both students and churches alike. “Our students are excited to serve, and we love our Louisiana Baptist churches,” Jones told the Baptist Message. “We want … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) – Pastor James Pritchard knew God could do something miraculous when he scheduled a four-day revival for February, but was amazed, nonetheless, when 56 baptisms took place during the final night of the revival meeting at First Baptist Church, Lafayette. A crowd of more than 900 cheered as individuals from 6 to 95 years old stepped either into a horse trough or the baptistery inside the worship center to symbolize death, burial and resurrection with Christ, Feb. 9. “What happened was the answered prayer of what we hoped the Lord would do,” Pritchard told the Baptist Message. “When He showed up like that, all we could say was ‘God showed up, look what God did!’” Leslie Hale was among the first to be baptized. During the first revival session, Feb. 6, Hale was convicted of her need to come forward and declare her faith in Christ. “It was like someone was pushing me forward that morning and I was obedient,” Hale said. “Once I came out of the baptismal waters, I felt completely clean. Seeing so many people baptized is something that is hard to describe, and I can’t wait to see what the Lord does with all of us who participated in baptism.” PRAYED … [Read more...]

By Craig Franklin, Baptist Message special JONESVILLE, La. (LBM)-- When 19-year-old Daniel Bordelon of Jonesville, Louisiana, agreed to travel to Ohio with two men he had met in an internet chat room, he had no idea what was awaiting him. But his father, Emile Bordelon, a Louisiana Baptist pastor, did, and he launched a rescue mission for his son from what the elder Bordelon described as a “sex-trafficking abduction.” The rescue, which the elder Bordelon described as miraculous, began on Feb. 8, when a text from Daniel to his mother, Cindy, revealed he was riding in a vehicle to Alexandria along LA 28 bound for the Alexandria International Airport with two men, and that he was scared. Upon learning of his son’s situation, Bordelon, pastor of Clayton Baptist Church, Clayton, and owner of Emile Bordelon Transport, Jonesville, immediately took to social media to call upon everyone to pray for his son. He also contacted Catahoula Parish Sheriff Toney Edwards who launched law enforcement efforts in the rescue operation. Hours later, Bordelon believes, a miracle occurred, when the plane bound for Ohio from Alexandria was mysteriously delayed, allowing just enough time to catch up with Daniel and bring him safely … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – For the last five years, Mike Shumock has helped restore numerous Louisiana Baptist churches as Gospel mission centers by leading the rebuild or repair of their facilities. Shumock is set to retire Feb. 28 as the mission builder strategist for Louisiana Baptists, but his calling to help churches with construction projects is far from over. “I realize God gifts everyone,” Shumock told the Baptist Message. “God gifted me to build and use my hands and come alongside and work with people in need. It’s satisfying to know without a doubt people who needed help rebuilding were able to fulfill that through the efforts of myself and so many volunteers who had a common love and that is to help others in Jesus’ name.” CALLED Shumock’s journey began in 1974 at Wade Baptist Church, Moss Point, Mississippi, when he realized he was a sinner and needed to surrender his life to Jesus. A year later, he accepted the call to ministry and became the church’s youth minister. For the next four decades, Shumock combined his passion for construction with a love for ministry. Shumock worked for several construction companies in the early 1980s, before he pastored … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Christian, LC News PINEVILLE, La. (LC News) - Louisiana Christian University’s celebration of Black History Month will continue with the third annual Gospel choir concert Feb. 17. Scheduled for 6:30 p.m. inside Guinn Auditorium, the concert will feature both traditional and contemporary Gospel music sung by the school's choir, students, alumni and community members including the worship team from Zion Hill Church Family, Pineville. “It’s a different style of music that many students are not used to hearing,” said concert director Terrell Phillips. “It taps into a culture that I am used to and a lot of African Americans are used to but a lot of people haven’t heard before.” Next week, two more events will be held to celebrate Black History Month: a showing of the 2014 film “Selma,” which depicts the voting rights marches in Alabama from Selma to Montgomery led by Martin Luther King Jr. It will be shown in the Granberry Conference Center on Feb. 23 at 7.30 p.m. On Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m.  a panel discussion will take place at Guinn Auditorium on King and the realization of his dream. “Diversity is something I want us to celebrate every day at Louisiana Christian University," LCU President Rick Brewer … [Read more...]

By Staff GONZALES, La. – The Louisiana Family Forum has named Gail and Patsy Richardson as the winner of its contest for the state’s longest married couple. Gail, a longtime member of First Baptist Church, Gonzales, and Patsy, who attends St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Gonzales, married on Sept. 1, 1940. Gail Richardson said the key to marriage is a faith centered on God and trusting in Him. “He handles all of the little and big things in our lives,” he told the Baptist Message. “For those who want to have a long, happy marriage, treat your spouse well and have lots of one on one time. Love one another and help each other in whatever way you can. And, forgive and forget.” The longest-known married couples are honored yearly for their commitment to building a culture of strong marriages in Louisiana and for being examples of lasting love. "We want to remind the next generation that marriage is good for both men and women. Married couples are healthier, wealthier, love more often and more deeply… and are less trim!” commented LFF President Gene Mills stated in a LFF press release. "We are honored to shine a light on these examples of lasting love." The Richardsons are among 15 couples who have been inducted into … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff SAINT FRANCISVILLE, La. (LBM) – The Judson Baptist Retreat Center, a camp owned by churches of the Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge, has announced it will suspend operations from May to December. According to BAGBR Director of Missions Tommy Middleton, coronavirus pandemic-related financial challenges played a key role in the decision. While the camp will not be available for all camps, retreats and other activities for the foreseeable future after April 30, events already scheduled before that date will take place. Camp Director Justin Busby will remain on staff and a task force will be formed to study Judson Baptist Retreat Center’s future. Middleton said the task force will report its findings during the BAGBR Annual Meeting in October. “Hopefully, they will be able to bring forward an approach and direction for the Center that will result in a new direction, reimagined, and reinvigorated for 2023 and beyond,” Middleton wrote on the camp's website. “Your prayers and input for the task force will be needed and appreciated. Within the next few weeks when the task force has been fully formed, we will be releasing the names of this team.  “Finally, we, as the churches of the Baptist … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – More than 250 members of the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association’s churches came together to cry out to God to bring revival during the fellowship’s 7th annual “Call to Prayer.” Hosted by Woodridge Baptist Church, Shreveport, the Jan. 30 gathering brought together Christians of various ages and ethnicities to pray for law enforcement, the persecuted church, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders. As in previous gatherings, this event was marked by prayer in multiple formats: from the worship center stage; in small groups around the room; and by individuals who pleaded with God for revival in their community, state and nation. Thirty pastors either shared a message or prayed for a variety of needs. The event also included a special designed time of prayer for area schools, teachers and students. The “Dads On Duty” from Southwood High School in Shreveport were present for a time of corporate prayer. These men recently were featured in national news reports for their efforts to have a strong male presence through daily visits to the school as a means to curb violence. REVIVE US Lane Moore, NLBA director of missions, reminded the crowd of the … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clark, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Alliance Defending Freedom Regional Director Shannon Kendrick addressed many cultural hot topics facing Christians during Louisiana Christian University’s first Christ Church Culture event of the spring semester, Feb. 6. Kendrick, who has served in senior executive roles in the federal government, regional economic development and congressional affairs before coming to the ADF, told the audience it’s never been more important to understand the cultural shifts that are occurring and to fight for freedom to practice and preach the Gospel. “Now, more than ever, we must know the times we are living in,” she said, “and listen to God to be relevant and effective.” Threats to religious liberty are happening nationwide, she emphasized. “Times are really different now, and church leaders are finding themselves in positions they never thought they’d be in,” she said. Kendrick addressed some of the most recent challenges to Christian faith and practice that the ADF has been involved in, including Colorado baker Jack Phillips, Houston Pastor Steve Riggle, Gaston College v. DeWeese Boyd, and Seattle Union Gospel Mission v. Woods. “We’re up against an ideological … [Read more...]