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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Hobby Lobby donates building to New Orleans congregation

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – Faith-based arts and crafts retailer Hobby Lobby has donated a historic church building to the members of the NOLA Baptist Church. The donation, which took place in late-Decem­ber, allows the congre­gation to move forward with plans to renovate the building and relocate from a leased warehouse space. “We trusted that He would provide all that we needed if He wanted us to steward this property,” Pastor Kyle Jagers told the Baptist Message. “God far exceeded our expecta­tions.” BACKGROUND NOLA Baptist Church began in 2013 as a church plant of Norris Ferry Com­munity Church, Shreveport. The church relocated a few times, including in 2017 to its current location on Tchoupi­toulas Street. Through conversations with New Orleans Baptist Association leaders, the church learned Valence Street Baptist Church (who donated the property to the association after they closed in 2016) was for sale. NOBA and NOLA Baptist Church then signed a pur­chase agreement. However, Hobby Lobby learned of the situation and in November 2022 purchased the facility for $275,000, with the end goal of one day donating the property to the church. Since then, NOLA Bap­tist … [Read more...]

Five ‘Life Marches’ scheduled in 2024

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Thousands of Louisianians will stand together for life at five pro-life marches throughout the state in the coming weeks, according to the lead organizer. “In 2024, our life marches will share that the pro-life commu­nity and the state of Louisiana are ready to support every pregnant and parenting woman regardless of the circumstances she may be facing,” Louisiana Right to Life Ex­ecutive Director Ben Clapper told the Baptist Message. “We know that women considering abortion are often under immense pressure, or even coercion, by partners, friends or loved ones, and resort to the dangerous abortion pill online through black-market distribu­tors. They need to know that there is support across Louisiana in the form of private and public agen­cies. In January, we can let Loui­siana know that we are here for women.” “We are here for her” is the theme for this year’s events, which will once again bring together pro-life supporters of different denominations, ages and ethnic backgrounds to continue to raise awareness about abortion con­cerns, he said. The Supreme Court on June 24, 2022, overturned the landmark case and returned “the authority to … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a commu­nity outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the pa­per, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptist­message.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure place­ment in the Message. ON THE MOVE Richard Methvin is retiring as pastor of Bisteneau Baptist Church. HOMECOMING Emanuel Hispanic Baptist Church, De­Ridder: 18th Anniversary Celebra­tion, January 27, 4 p.m. Pastor: Ruben Us. REVIVAL Gulf Coast Baptist Church, Gold­en Meadow: Revival, January 12-17, 6:30 p.m. nightly. Friday, speaker Joe Arnold; Saturday, youth emphasis, Dylan Johnson: Sunday morning, Cameron Shoemaker; Sunday evening, Tony Thibodeaux; Monday, Shane Terrebonne and Wednesday, Titus Terrebonne. Pastor: Shane Ter­rebonne. First Baptist Church, Haynesville: Revival, January 14-17, Evangelist: Sam Moore. Pastor: Rob Burns. Fort Necessity Baptist Church, Co­lumbia: Revival, January 28 – Febru­ary. Evangelist: Sam Moore. Pastor: John Bradley New Chapel Hill … [Read more...]

Louisiana’s Fountain among WMU state presidents recognized

Four Woman's Missionary Union state presidents will complete their term of service and rotate off the board this spring. They were recognized for their faithful service during the recent national WMU board meeting, and Gail Hallman was recognized for serving as executive director of Arizona WMU (2020-2021). Those photographed are (left to right): Sandy Wisdom-Martin, executive director/treasurer, national WMU; Gail Hallman, former executive director, Arizona WMU; Carolyn Fountain, president, Louisiana WMU; Cindy Burns, president, South Carolina WMU; Connie Dixon, president, national WMU; Deborah Taylor, president, WMU of North Carolina; and Jan Turner, president, Missouri WMU. Photo by Sarah Goff/national WMU … [Read more...]