By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – Organizers of this year’s Louisiana Baptist Pastors Conference, hosted by Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport, hope to remind participants, Nov. 11, to remain faithful in their ministry, marriage, and family lives. “God kind of laid this theme on my heart during last year’s Pastors Conference that we need a time to encourage those who are hurting, maybe their ministry is hard, or maybe they have a death in the family,” said Pastors Conference President Heath Peloquin, pastor of Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport. “We need this day now more than ever. “Christianity is under attack and our country is divided,” he continued. “We will come together be encouraged to be faithful to take the Gospel to our cities and communities. These men that are coming are humble and they’re praying for the Pastors Conference and preparing to come to bring a Word from God.” The program will begin at 9 a.m. with music led by the Summer Grove Baptist praise and worship team and messages by Gevan Spinney, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Haughton, and Richard Taylor, director, Corpus Christi Baptist Association. Pastors Conference Vice President Tommy Kiker, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist youth and adult leaders are gearing up for the 37th annual Youth Evangelism Celebration, a statewide assembly focused on preparing the next generation to share Christ with the world. Scheduled Nov. 24-25 in the Rapides Parish Coliseum, Alexandria, the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists will feature messages by Zane Black, evangelist and tour pastor for Winter Jam 2024; in-depth discussions led by Clint Davis, a counselor from Shreveport; high-energy music by Crescent City Worship, a worship band with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; entertainment by Jaron Myers, a comedian and podcaster; times of fellowship; and a concert by Rend Collective to close out YEC on Monday evening. Brandon Allen, student pastor with Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Columbus, Mississippi, and student ministry podcast producer, will serve as the host/emcee. Additionally, the Louisiana Baptist Collegiate Ministry will offer a lounge for youth ministers attending YEC. Last year’s event drew more than 5,100 youth and resulted in 157 students stepping forward during the opening session to accept Christ, grow deeper in their faith or pursue a … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff CLEARWATER, Florida (LBM) – To say October has been a busy month for Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams is an understatement. Since late September, LBDR teams have worked tirelessly in areas impacted by Hurricanes Francine, Helene and Milton and they have no signs of stopping anytime soon. According to Mark Morelock, teams are working in four states: Tennessee – mud-out team from First Baptist Church, LaPlace; North Carolina – two shower teams, one from Mount Olive Baptist Association, and another from District Eight Baptist Association; a laundry team from Carey Baptist Association; two chainsaw teams, one from Carey Baptist Association and another from First Baptist Church, Covington; a mud-out team from Carey Baptist Association; and an incident management team from Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana; Georgia – a chainsaw team from Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association; and Florida – a mass care feeding team from Rolling Hills Ministry; and a quick response feeding and shower team from Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville; and chainsaw and mud-out teams from First Baptist Church, Lafayette. LBDR already has spent more than $161,000.00 on the responses. Stan … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SLAUGHTER, La. (LBM) – Basil Wicker recently celebrated more than a half century of ministry with First Baptist Church, Slaughter. During the church’s 182nd anniversary service, Sept. 8, the congregation honored Wicker for his 55th year of service as pastor. The event featured messages by his nephews Mark Wicker and Blake Emfinger, both who serve on staff with churches in Mississippi. The church plans to name the new multi-purpose building that is under construction in honor of him. For Wicker, the service was a reminder of a church and community that have held a special place in his heart since he preached his first sermon on July 21, 1969. “It’s been like a dream, a dream come true,” Wicker told the Baptist Message. “The Lord's blessed me and my wife. She is deceased. She and I did not have children, and my prayer was always that God give us children, and he did! My children were the children of the church, and that's my family. “I'm totally committed to the to this body. We have always worked on building relationships and love for one another, and there's always something going on,” he continued. “As for me, I’ve tried to keep things simple. I've not looked for … [Read more...]