By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Organizers and participants of the 2023 Youth Evangelism Celebration praised God for the hundreds of students who made decisions for Christ, Nov. 19-20, at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria. They also were grateful to Him for the estimated 5,100 teens who attended YEC (the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists). “I would just say that Brandon Lewis, Julie Mitcham and an army of volunteers helped us pull this event off,” Louisiana Baptist Youth Strategist Lee Myers told the Baptist Message. “We could not make it happen without their hard work and commitment to youth ministry in the state of Louisiana. Our goal each year is to create an event that students can connect with, hear the Gospel proclaimed, have the opportunity to respond and also come together as a family of believers. SHINE YOUR LIGHT YEC challenged the Louisiana Baptist youth to share their stories of how Christ changed their lives through messages by Daryl Jones, founder of Point Ministries in Miami, Fla. In his messages, Jones encouraged students to be shining lights of Christ to a dark world. Basing his message on Matthew 5:14-16, Jones told the students … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Perry Hancock has much to be thankful for this year. He witnessed numer­ous faith decisions made among the 6,800 children and adults the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries has served this year, but in July he also celebrated his 20th year as president and CEO of the ministry. “I am so thankful to the Lord and to Louisiana Bap­tists for the opportunity to serve at the Children’s Home,” Hancock told the Baptist Message. “I am blessed every day through our staff, the children and families we serve, and by our churches that support the ministry through the Cooperative Program and in many other ways.” Hancock became presi­dent and CEO of the min­istry on July 1, 2003. When he came to the role from New Orleans Baptist Theo­logical Seminary, where he served as dean of gradu­ate studies and associate professor of discipleship, Hancock told trustees of the LBCHFM that he was looking forward to creat­ing a family-style atmo­sphere among workers and administrators and con­tinuing Louisiana Baptists’ desire for the ministry to put children first. Twenty years later, that vision has become reality. NEW MINISTRIES Foster care and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer RUSTON, La. (LBM) – The 2024 Lou­isiana Baptist Evangelism Conference will encourage participants to embrace an Acts 1:8 evangelistic mindset, Jan. 22-23, at Temple Baptist Church, Ruston. From pastors, professors, and Baptist collegiate campus directors in North America to a representative with the International Mission Board, the lineup will seek to spur Louisiana Baptists to share the Gospel in their communities and across the globe. “We’re excited to be back in Rus­ton,” Louisiana Baptist Evangelism and Church Growth Director Keith Manuel told the Baptist Message. “We are fo­cused on creating a culture of evange­lism in our churches with an emphasis this year on the uttermost parts of the world.” The sessions will feature George Lee, Baptist Collegiate Ministry direc­tor, Grambling University, Ruston; John Avant, director and president, Life Action Ministries, Bu­chanan, Mich.; James Pritchard, pastor, First Baptist Church, Lafayette; Jeff Ginn, vice-president of mobilization, Inter­national Mission Board, Richmond, Va. (also, former pastor of Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge); Preston Nix, professor of evangelism and evangelistic preach­ing, New Orleans Baptist … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmes­sage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three to four weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE David, wife Rachel, Rose is the new pastor at Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles. Jimmy Clark is the new pastor at Singer Baptist Church, Singer. Christian Vige is the new Music Minister at First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge. Lloyd and Ginger Bye retiring from Lake­side Baptist Church in Pineville. Come to their retirement party December 31, 2-4 p.m. at Lakeside Baptist Church, 120 Allen Street, Pineville, La. 71360. Allen, wife Christy, O’Kelley is the new pas­tor at Sugartown Baptist Church, Sugartown. Neil Everett has announced his retirement as pastor of First Baptist Church, Calhoun Phillip Boone has been called as the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Bunkie. Bob Holloway has announced his retire­ment from Watson Baptist Church, West Monroe. Alise, husband Stan, who is … [Read more...]