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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

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...]

Disaster relief efforts show cooperative spirit among Louisiana Baptists

By Baptist Message staff SLIDELL, La. (LBM) – A week after powerful storms knocked out power to thousands and produced significant damage to homes and businesses, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been extremely busy with cleanup to those impacted. Disaster relief teams from four Louisiana Baptist and one Mississippi Baptist association have worked in Slidell since April 10. Additionally, a team from Beauregard and Carey Baptist associations spent a day cleaning out a home that flooded in Merryville. Through April 15, a feeding team from First Baptist Church, Slidell, has provided 10,000 meals that have been distributed to area residents. The American Red Cross provided the majority of the funds for the food from April 10 until lunchtime on April 13, and FBC Slidell, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief through the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering and Louisiana Baptist Hunger Relief Fund have been used to purchase food and drinks from supper time on April 13 through April 16. Additionally, teams from CENLA, Eastern Louisiana, Northshore and Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana associations and a DR team from Mississippi, have completed 42 of 68 chainsaw jobs that have been requested by … [Read more...]