LEESVILLE, La. (LBM) – Leaders with First Baptist Church, Leesville, changed their approach to Vacation Bible School and in the end witnessed six children and one student volunteer make decisions for Christ. Held June 24-29, the VBS drew 69 youngsters in the mornings, a departure from previous years when the outreach was held in the evening. Children’s Minister Kiersten Nolen told the Baptist Message that they incorporated more time for Bible study and missions and on the final day presented the Gospel during a group assembly time. “All of our decisions were by boys and some of them have been coming to activities at our church for several months,” Nolen said. “Throughout the week they heard the Gospel in the classes and by that final night decided to come forward. It was just exciting to see all the hard work of Bible school pay off for these kids who made decisions.” Once the VBS concluded, church leaders followed up with the youngsters, and three were baptized on July 7. Among those was Kacen Smith, who accepted Jesus during the large group Gospel presentation June 27. Smith said he “felt relief” after he was baptized alongside his cousin, Damian Berrios, and classmate John Rogers. His dad, Dustin, said he prayed … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff BUTLER, Pa. (LBM) – Numerous elected officials and faith leaders from Louisiana requested prayers for former President Donald Trump after he survived an apparent assignation attempt during a campaign rally, July 13. A few minutes into his speech, a popping sound was heard and Trump placed his hand over his right ear before Secret Service agents pulled him to the ground. He signaled to the crowd as he was escorted away. The Associated Press reported a shooter was dead and an attendee was killed. Two attendees were critically injured. Secret Service agents, according to the AP, said the shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by agents. Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn also posted that he is “praying for Louisiana Baptists pastors as they preach tomorrow. I have said before that preaching on the Sunday after 9-11 stands out in my memory above most any other Sunday. Brothers, just ‘Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; rebuke, correct, and ENCOURAGE with great patience and teaching.’ (2 Timothy 4:2).” Speaker Mike Johnson, also a member of Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, shared that “Kelly and I are praying for President Trump and all the attendees of the … [Read more...]