Wayne Jenkins and Charles Billingsley shared moving testimonies of thankfulness with those attending Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference, their stories epitomizing the messages of God’s power and grace presented throughout the program.
Impromptu testimonies of God’s faithfulness, music by national recording artists Mark Lowry and Charles Billingsley and multiple times of individual prayer highlighted Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference. Held Jan. 25-26 at First Baptist Church Lafayette, the event drew between 2,000 and 2,5000 people and ended with 500 people coming forward at the end to make a commitment to lead at least one person to Christ in 2016.
Several men lay hands on Wayne Jenkins, evangelism and church growth director for Louisiana Baptists. Jenkins has steadfastly fought a battle with cancer.
“God has moved throughout history in what we call Great Awakenings,” said Alvin Reid, evangelism professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. “If you are in a movement of God whether it’s a few days on a college campus or a global awakening, you are never the same.”
David Burton said he could sense the Holy Spirit moving throughout the sessions of the Evangelism Conference. “I sense God wants to do something very unique,” said Burton, of David Burton Ministries in Jacksonville, Fla. “When we leave here, we have a mandate to make a difference out there. Most of the people out there are lost—without Jesus.”
David Burton said he could sense the Holy Spirit moving throughout the sessions of the Evangelism Conference. “I sense God wants to do something very unique,” said Burton, of David Burton Ministries in Jacksonville, Fla. “When we leave here, we have a mandate to make a difference out there. Most of the people out there are lost—without Jesus.”
David Burton said he could sense the Holy Spirit moving throughout the sessions of the Evangelism Conference. “I sense God wants to do something very unique,” said Burton, of David Burton Ministries in Jacksonville, Fla. “When we leave here, we have a mandate to make a difference out there. Most of the people out there are lost—without Jesus.”
Attendees of the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference worship during one of the sessions. The conference was held Jan. 25-26 at First Baptist Church Lafayette.
Reginald Calvert preaches during of session of the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference at First Baptist Church Lafayette. “God sometimes send us to places we really don’t want to go,” said Calvert, pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Bessemer, Ala. “I’m so glad God is patient with me. Every now and then I want to take matters into my own hands. But God has to remind me that He doesn’t need me, but I need God.”
Reginald Calvert preaches during of session of the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference at First Baptist Church Lafayette. “God sometimes send us to places we really don’t want to go,” said Calvert, pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Bessemer, Ala. “I’m so glad God is patient with me. Every now and then I want to take matters into my own hands. But God has to remind me that He doesn’t need me, but I need God.”
Mickey Smith plays the saxophone during the final session of the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference. Smith is a Grammy Award finalist who lives in the Lake Charles area.
Vernon Stephenson is presented the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists. This is the first such award the organization has given to someone. Stephenson, who lives in Many, goes weekly into area prisons and ministers to inmates there. He recently saw 11 inmates come to know Christ and baptized them. “He has been discipling and equipping those he has shared with,” said Gary Maroney, president of LCOSBE, who presented him with the award. “God has given him a strong ministry. Cancer has been found in his lungs and he is taking treatments for that. But it doesn’t take away him from being faithful to the Lord.”
Vernon Stephenson is presented the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists. This is the first such award the organization has given to someone. Stephenson, who lives in Many, goes weekly into area prisons and ministers to inmates there. He recently saw 11 inmates come to know Christ and baptized them. “He has been discipling and equipping those he has shared with,” said Gary Maroney, president of LCOSBE, who presented him with the award. “God has given him a strong ministry. Cancer has been found in his lungs and he is taking treatments for that. But it doesn’t take away him from being faithful to the Lord.”
Wayne Jenkins, director of evangelism and church growth for Louisiana Baptists, speaks during the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference. The conference was held Jan. 25-26 at First Baptist Church Lafayette.
Luther Burney, assistant to Pastor Steve Horn at First Baptist Church Lafayette, shares a few words during a session of the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference. First Baptist Lafayette hosted the conference, held Jan. 25-26.
Josh McDowell, a national best-selling author and a speaker on issues dealing with young people, shares his testimony during the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference. McDowell overcame abuse as a child and living in a dysfunctional family and accepted Christ while attending college. “The power of forgiveness or the destruction of non-forgiving is so powerful in the life of a Christian,” McDowell said. “I made a conscience choice I’m not a victim. No one can make you a victim unless you let them. I was determined I was not going to let that man make me a victim.”
Josh McDowell, a national best-selling author and a speaker on issues dealing with young people, shares his testimony during the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference. McDowell overcame abuse as a child and living in a dysfunctional family and accepted Christ while attending college. “The power of forgiveness or the destruction of non-forgiving is so powerful in the life of a Christian,” McDowell said. “I made a conscience choice I’m not a victim. No one can make you a victim unless you let them. I was determined I was not going to let that man make me a victim.”
David Hankins, executive director for Louisiana Baptists, talks briefly during the final session of the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference.
Mark Lowry shares his gift of comedy and music during the final session of the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference. Born in Houston, Lowry overcame battles with Attention Deficit Disorder as a child to attend Liberty Baptist College (now Liberty University) and launch a career that has included four-decades of making audiences laugh and leave encouraged. Although Lowry specializes in comedy and song parodies, he also wrote the lyrics to “Mary, Did You Know?” in 1984. This Christmas song has been recorded more than 400 times by artists such as Kenny Rogers, Michael English, Wynonna Judd, Natalie Cole, Reba McIntire, Clay Aiken and the Gaither Vocal Band of which Lowry was the baritone singer for more than 20 years. Lowry also shared a few laughs and some of his songs during the Senior Adult Luncheon held earlier that day.
Mark Lowry makes a face to compare himself to the grandfather in the movie Up during a session of the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference.
Mark Lowry shows a video of him singing to his mother before she passed away. He shared stories of how she impacted his life, along with other inspirational and humorous tales and musical selections at the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference.
Mark Lowry sings Mary Did You Know during the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference.
Louis Charrier, pastor of multiple church plants in south Louisiana, prays in his native French language. He was among several people of different people groups who prayed throughout the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference at First Baptist Church Lafayette.
Attendees of the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference worship during one of the sessions. The conference was held Jan. 25-26 at First Baptist Church Lafayette.
Steve Gaines addresses the question of what happens to people when they die. Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn., preached two times during the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference at First Baptist Church Lafayette.
Nearly 500 people come forward during the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference after a call by Steve Gaines to make a commitment to win at least one person to Christ this year. Gaines is pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn.
Nearly 500 people come forward during the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference after a call by Steve Gaines to make a commitment to win at least one person to Christ this year. Gaines is pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn.
Reginald Calvert shares a moment of laughter with those attending the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference. Calvery is pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Bessemer, Ala. This was Calvert’s first time to preach away from his church since July 2015. Due to health concerns which required a time of hospitalization last year, he had canceled all of his previously scheduled speaking engagements—except this conference.
David Burton said he could sense the Holy Spirit moving throughout the sessions of the Evangelism Conference. “I sense God wants to do something very unique,” said Burton, of David Burton Ministries in Jacksonville, Fla. “When we leave here, we have a mandate to make a difference out there. Most of the people out there are lost—without Jesus.”
Josh McDowell, a national best-selling author and a speaker on issues dealing with young people, shares his testimony during the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference. McDowell overcame abuse as a child and living in a dysfunctional family and accepted Christ while attending college. “The power of forgiveness or the destruction of non-forgiving is so powerful in the life of a Christian,” McDowell said. “I made a conscience choice I’m not a victim. No one can make you a victim unless you let them. I was determined I was not going to let that man make me a victim.”
Steve Gaines addresses the question of what happens to people when they die. Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn., preached two times during the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Evangelism Conference at First Baptist Church Lafayette.
Joe Senn, pastor of the church, tells the story of how his church experienced an extended revival during one of the sessions of the Evangelism Conference. Crockett Point Baptist Church in Crowville had planned to hold a four-day revival. But recognizing a movement of God, the congregation extended the revival three times over a two-week period last year. By the event’s conclusion, 197 people had accepted Christ and many more had made other spiritual decisions. Senn said every revival he has been a part of started with the youth and this time was no different. He encouraged the youth to find just one person for which they would pray. Night after night, his students would bring that one person to Crockett Point Baptist and God began changing lives.
