By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist leaders have announced that the 2020 Youth Evangelism Celebration will move to a regional format this year because of novel coronavirus pandemic attendance restrictions. YEC originally was scheduled to convene at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, Nov. 22-23. Brandon Lewis, youth ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists, said his team has monitored the situation for several months and prayed about the best way to move forward. Though details have not been finalized, Lewis is thankful youth groups still will be able to gather at muiltiple venues to celebrate Christ. “YEC is going on the road!” Lewis said. “2020 has taken so much away from all of us, so we’re asking the Lord, and working with local churches, to provide a safe, fun and uplifting experience for students. We need a spiritual booster shot, if you will, to close out this crazy year.  While we are certainly disappointed that we aren’t able to gather in one group, we are excited about what God has in store for us.” New dates and locations are expected to be announced by mid-October. Groups who have registered will have their fees refunded automatically. Additional questions about YEC can be … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff FRANKLIN, La. (LBM) – Darrell Guy, a church planter in Franklin, died Thursday, Sept. 17. He was 62. Born in Franklin, Guy in 2016 started Unity One Baptist Church in his hometown. According to the Annual Church Profile, Unity One grew from 53 in worship attendance by the end of 2016 to 70 in 2019. Guy baptized 52 new converts during his time at Unity One Baptist, including a high of 35 in 2017. Though he continued to serve as pastor of Unity One Baptist, he recently started Unity Two Baptist in Morgan City. Additionally, he was moderator of Gulf Coast Baptist Association. When he was not serving as pastor, Guy worked as purchasing agent for the City of Franklin. He was a graduate of Grambling State University and later attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a master of arts in pastoral ministry. Guy is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn Guy, three children, Darreon Griffin, Dana Guy, Darrell Guy Jr., and one adopted nephew, Troy Giddens. A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, at Unity One Baptist. Visitation will precede the service: 5-7 p.m., Friday, at MK Dixon Funeral Home in Baldwin and noon-12:45 p.m., Saturday, at Unity One … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists are in the final year of implementing the President’s 2020 Commission Report, an initiative undertaken during the leadership of Waylon Bailey, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington, and the LBC president in 2012-2013. The 2020 recommendations were crafted collaboratively by a commission of 400 Louisiana Baptist leaders, staff members and laypeople, working in 20 subcommittees of 20 members each. Ten “key actions in reaching our state” – known as KAIROS – were developed to engage two audiences – the next generation and every people group. These measures for improving the spiritual health and growth of the state were adopted by messengers at the 2013 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. This article is the 10th in a series published by the Baptist Message to report what successes have been achieved toward the ambitious goals of the statewide initiative, as well as to note what objectives remain to be done. KAIROS NINE Increase financial support through the Cooperative Program and the special mission offerings. Several attempts have been made to increase Cooperative Program support over the seven-year span of the 2020 initiative. … [Read more...]