ALEXANDRIA – The best way for the Baptist Message to tell the story of what God is doing through His people in Louisiana is to have reporters in every association, Editor Kelly Boggs says.
ALEXANDRIA – The best way for the Baptist Message to
tell the story of what God is doing through His people in Louisiana is
to have reporters in every association, Editor Kelly Boggs says.
He has directed Managing Editor Karen Willoughby to
develop a group of regional reporters – ideally at least one in each of
the state’s 46 associations – to help tell the story.
“God is doing amazing things in Louisiana, things
that will encourage and bless you – and challenge you,” Boggs said.
“With regional reporters, we’ll be able to tell more of those stories
better than ever before.”
Regional reporters do not need to be professional
journalists, Willoughby said; she expects to coach those with an
interest in newswriting and a desire to serve God with their writing.
“I’ve been training writers via email, phone and fax
for at least 10 years,” Willoughby said. “It’s thrilling to me to see
how quickly people can improve their writing with a bit of direction,
and it’s exciting to think of reporters all around the state using
their eyes and ears to report the news of the wonderful things God is
doing through His people called Southern Baptists.”
The basic criteria for a regional reporter: a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ, active participation in a
local church for a minimum of one year, and a desire to write for God’s
honor and glory. A letter or email of recommendation from the
applicant’s pastor also is required.
Men and women from their 20s on up are invited to be
regional reporters. A vehicle and camera would be helpful; a telephone
and access to a computer, probably essential.
“Regional reporters don’t get paid in dollars for
their ministry,” Willoughby said. “The coaching they receive is their
payment, and if they work hard, within six months they should be able
to freelance articles to their local newspaper and to a multitude of
magazines, and still keep on doing the ministry of writing for the
Message.”
A workshop for Regional Reporter wannabes is set to
open with dinner Friday, March 17, and close by 4 p.m. Saturday, March
18 at the Baptist Building in Alexandria. Meals, snacks and materials
will be provided by the Message.
Register or receive more information by emailing karen@baptistmessage.com.