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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

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...]

Cypress Baptist dedicates sports facility to Christ

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BENTON, La. (LBM) – Cypress Baptist Church recently celebrated the grand opening of a new field house that will serve as place not only for fellowship and recreation but to plant Gospel seeds. Dedicated on March 24, the 81,687-sq.-ft., named the 3:16 Field House, features two courts that can accommodate basketball, pickleball and volleyball competition; a 48-yard by 66-yard indoor turf field; and a mezzanine to hold spectators. The church also will offer seasonal leagues and camps for a variety of sports and is available for local schools to use the facility year-round, including for non-sports community events. The first event featured a 5K and 10K race, age-based egg hunts (kindergarten through fifth grade) and a sports skills competition as part of its Easter Family Day, March 30. Cypress Baptist Recreation Pastor Brian Loe believes the facility will reach beyond the Shreveport-Bossier City area. “This is bigger than just Shreveport-Bossier,” Loe told the Baptist Message. “I envision we will draw people from the Ark-La-Tex and impact those who don’t go to church but want to play basketball, flag football or another sport. “This is a wonderful facility but … [Read more...]

NAMB claims its partnership agreement establishes an ‘ecclesiastical’ governance

By Will Hall, Baptist Message Executive Editor NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – During April 4 arguments before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, the lawyer for the North American Mission Board, the domestic mission arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, argued that the strategic partnership agreement (SPA) it negotiates with a state convention establishes an “ecclesiastical” governance for the two parties. The claim was part of the latest development in the seven-year legal battle by Will McRaney against NAMB for its alleged defamation and tortious influence that led to his termination as executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware. ARGUMENTS During the 43-minute oral presentations before the Court, lawyers for both parties made multiple points and responded to pointed questioning by the justices. However, each attorney tightly focused on his respective legal position. NAMB’s lawyer claimed that that the Court did not have jurisdiction in the matter because of “ecclesiastical abstention” (a legal precedent that prevents courts from deciding matters of faith such as religious doctrine) and “ministerial exception” (the legal principle which prevents a court from interfering in issues … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Ron McLellan is retiring as pastor of Gloster Baptist Church on April 28. Mike Palmer is the new pastor at Red River Baptist Church, Benton. Gary Johnson, after serving as interim, is the new full-time pastor at Pilgrim Home Baptist Church, Benton. Jonthan Gers in the new senior pastor at Bedico Baptist Church, Ponchatoula. Larry Eubanks is the new pastor at Watson Baptist Church, West Monroe. Richard Gambill, First Baptist, Bastrop, has accepted the position of Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services and Operations at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Jacob, wife Allyson, Crawford in the new Church Planting Strategist on the Louisiana Baptists Missions & Ministry Team. Jackson Powers is the new youth minister at Belle … [Read more...]