By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer HAUGHTON, La. (LBM) – More than 300 members from 107 churches in the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association joined together, Feb. 4, to pray to Almighty God during the fellowship’s ninth annual “Call to Prayer,” according to organizers. Hosted by Eastwood Baptist Church, Haughton, the gathering brought together Christians of various ages and ethnicities to pray for law enforcement officers, the persecuted church, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders. The event was marked by prayer 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. The evening also included a special message from U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a member of Cypress Baptist Church, Benton. URGENCY TO SEEK GOD NLBA Associational Missions Strategist Lane Moore told the crowd that America is at a crossroads and needs a divine solution to the troubles of the world. “We are clearly in an uncertain hour all across this nation,” Moore said. “2023 was a very turbulent year in our world to say the least. We are obviously living in a more wicked and fallen … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Mark Robinson told students attending the Collegiate Evangelism Conference hosted by Louisiana Christian University, Feb. 2-3, that they are ambassadors for Christ on their respective campuses. “We’re the ambassadors that are carrying the message of reconciliation,” Robinson, Louisiana Baptist collegiate ministry team director, shared during the conference’s opening session inside Guinn Auditorium. “You are an ambassador and should tell people about Jesus. You’ve got the authority and you’ve got the name badge that says you belong to Jesus.” Citing Luke 19:1-10, Robinson told the students that Jesus saw Zacchaeus in the sycamore tree, called him by name, and in the end, Zacchaeus turned to Jesus. He said that just as Jesus took notice of Zacchaeus, He also takes notice of them. “But you may feel in your life, like nobody sees you,” he said. “They don't know what's going on. They don't know what's happening with my grandparents. They don't know my parents just split up. They don't know anything about what's going on in my life. Let me tell you the good news. Jesus knows us.” HEAR GOD Robinson’s message was part of the two-day program that … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – More than 250 Louisiana Life March Central participants braved a steady rain, Feb. 3, as they marched to show their support for all pregnant and parenting woman. Men and women, young and old, from various denominations and ethnicities joined together to make the journey from the Louisiana Christian University campus to Sacred Heart Church in Pineville. Sarah Zagorski, communications director for Louisiana Right to Life, reminded the crowd that while Roe v. Wade (a decision in 1973 that legalized abortion) was overturned in 2022, pro-life supporters must continue the fight for life. She also encouraged the crowd to follow public policy decisions made by the state legislature in its upcoming session that begins in March. “We’re very excited to see the progress we’ve already seen since the reversal of Roe vs. Wade,” she said. “It's important that even though Roe was overturned, we continue stepping up for women because there will always be unplanned pregnancies. There’ll always be crisis pregnancies and women will always need us.” The life march was the last of five held in the state over the past few weeks. According to LRTL officials, … [Read more...]