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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

WMU Missions Celebration brings ‘Joy’ to Indy

By Julie Walters, SBC WMU BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – (SBC WMU) – Gather your friends and race to Indianapolis this June for the Woman's Missionary Union Missions Celebration just prior to the SBC Annual Meeting. This year’s WMU gathering will be held in the Indiana Convention Center in the 500 Ballroom on June 9, beginning at 12:00 p.m. “Join us and discover ways God is at work in our midst and around the world as you hear inspiring stories from missionaries and missions advocates who are making Christ known,” said Sandy Wisdom-Martin, executive director of SBC WMU. The event theme "What Joy!" will be supported by 1 Thessalonians 2:8: “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” Missions speakers will encourage various aspects of this verse, including being passionate about reaching the lost, compelled by love, generous in sharing and serving with much joy. “In addition to hearing from field personnel, testimonies from our national Acteens panelists along with WMU emeritae presidents is a special time for me,” said Connie Dixon, president of SBC WMU. “It is an encouraging reminder that while we have a rich heritage in WMU, we also have a very bright … [Read more...]

LCU recognizes Dean’s, President’s List recipients

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University recently announced students who earned placement on the Dean’s and President’s List for the fall 2023 semester. The students were recognized in a ceremony, April 16, in which they were thanked their parents, along with faculty and staff who supported them in their academic pursuits. “We rejoice in the academic achievements of our students,” said Acting President David Jeffreys. “And we appreciate the students who recognize their parents’ contributions to their success, as well as the gratitude they give the LCU faculty and staff.” The Dean’s/President’s List ceremony is an annual event at LCU. It includes students who have earned a minimum of 12 hours in the designated semester with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 and no grade below a “C”: Zoi Akrivaki Thessaloniki, Greece Adrian Navarro Alicante, Spain Ja’Kaylib Anderson Lafayette Kaitlyn Antilley Coushatta Payton Arcement Katy, Texas Alex Archield Deridder Micah Ardizzone Lake … [Read more...]

LCU recognizes outstanding students at Honors Convocation

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University recognized outstanding accomplishments of students in academics and athletics during its 63rd annual Honors Convocation, April 16. “What a great day to celebrate our students,” said Acting President David Jeffreys. “It was a living testimony of how Louisiana Christian University prepares graduates and transforms lives.” Student awards and recipients are listed below by department, including hometowns: Art Central Louisiana Ad Club Scholarship Award - Lena Cogghe of Temse, Belgium Grady Harper Scholarship Award - Abby Johnson of Jonesville Thilo Steinschulte Scholarship Award - Maryane Mafra of Moreira Maia, Portugal Athletics NAIA Student Athletes of the Year - Olivia Scott of Lafayette and Cy Fontenot of Alexandria Business ACBSP Student Leadership Award - Julia Keller of Metairie Outstanding Graduating Seniors in Business Administration - Brooke Ross of Oak Grove and Misty Tanner O’Banion, of Alexandria Outstanding Juniors in Business Administration - James Sanders of Trout and Elisabeth McGrath of Westlake Senior External Major Field Test, Second Highest - Caroline Lucius of Pineville Senior … [Read more...]

Beech Springs Baptist transformed through prayer, soul winning

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer QUITMAN, La. (LBM) – Shortly after Jason Womack arrived as pastor with Beech Springs Bap­tist Church, he and other members of a men’s prayer group made a “dream list” of prayer concerns and took those requests to the Lord. Fifteen months later, the church has seen God answer those prayers through personal revival, lives transformed and a rise in baptisms, including 16 since January. “There just seems to be true revival taking place in individuals and in the church at large,” Womack told the Baptist Message. “God is moving through this church and in this community just like we are praying about. “I know it’s not me,” he continued. “All I’m doing is preaching the Gospel, loving on people, sharing the Gospel. But I’m not the only one. Others are sharing the Gospel. God is moving through our church, and He is using the church to build His Kingdom.” Womack, now 51, was a member of BSBC until he was 34 years old and returned as pastor in May 2022. When he arrived, the church had baptized just a handful the previous year. He sensed the church’s hunger for growth and believed God had some­thing special in store for BSBC and the commu­nity. “When I met with the pulpit … [Read more...]

Rescue Church restores hope in Bawcomville

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WEST MONROE, La. (LBM) – Patrick Adams had been in and out of multiple state detention centers for 22 years when an encounter with Jesus changed his life. In September, Adams was released from Rich­land Parish Detention Cen­ter in Rayville after serving a conviction of simple bat­tery and three days later found freedom in Christ during a service at Rescue Church, West Monroe. “I let it go and gave it to God,” Adams told the Baptist Message. “That’s a hard thing for me to do and while I knew there was a God, I didn’t know a per­son like me could change. “But the love I felt the moment I walked into this place really grabbed my heart,” he continued. “I felt tingly all over and heard a voice saying, ‘I’ve got you son.’ At that moment I turned to Christ, and I haven’t looked back since.” Adams, who responded to a Gospel invitation from Pastor Russell Caldwell, Sept. 5, attended the ser­vice as part of his participa­tion in a recovery house on the church grounds – a ministry that includes daily small group Bible studies at 5:30 a.m., nightly meetings, a work requirement and Sunday morning services with Rescue Church. He is thankful for the men who pour into him … [Read more...]

More young men, fathers race to RA Congress

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – The recent Royal Ambassador Congress, March 22-23, saw an increase in attendance and fathers accompanying their sons (first through sixth grades) at the Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center event. The two-day conference drew 160 boys and adult leaders from eight churches and featured: Gospel presentations by “Champion Chaplain” Allen Huffman, the 2023 Southeast Super Truck Series champion; go-karting; pit row (how to change and plug a tire); a classic car show; and the Pinewood Derby and Soap Box car races. Louisiana Baptist Men’s Ministry and Disaster Relief Strategist Stan Statham believes the event reflected a renewed interest in RAs around the state. He noted the RA Congress drew 160 participants and fathers. “More churches are wanting to get back to emphasizing missions education and RAs is a great way to do that for young men who will carry on that passion for missions into their teenage and adult years,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “Events like RA Congress helps to train young boys to become godly men. I’m very encouraged to see more dads come out here and spend quality time for a couple of days with their sons. Additionally, the … [Read more...]