By Arthur Mazhambe & Sheri Duffy, Louisiana College PINEVILLE (LBM) – Problem gambling and all the issues surrounding it have become more prevalent, whether through buying daily scratch tickets, frequenting casinos or sports betting. According to Janet Miller, executive director of the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling, “This problem has risen from 3.1 percent to 8.3 percent in the past 8 years.” Meanwhile, mental health professionals recognize it as such a growing concern that the latest revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), categorizes Gambling Disorder on par with substance-related addictions and not just as a matter of “impulse control” – a change that indicates the severity of the problem. This social ill affects not only the individual gambler, but also touches the lives of all those close to him or her, as well as other aspects of life – sometimes resulting in violence/abuse, deception, loss of or decrease in income, loss of jobs and relationships, and decreased performance on the job or in school. Moreover, the average household budget in America does not have an expense item for “gambling.” Instead, funds budgeted for other purposes are risked and … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2017
Judgement House: 20 years of leading the lost to the Lord
By Staff, Baptist Message WINNFIELD – First Baptist Church is celebrating an evangelistic milestone in Winnfield during October – the 20th anniversary of its first Judgement House. A walk-through drama that presents visitors with a visualization of some of the life and death consequences of choices made on earth, Judgement House at FBC Winnfield has enjoyed an average of 103 people making a decision for Christ from among 1,324 visitors each performance year since its inception. Judgment Houses are held in 20 states, using any of 24 scripts developed by the Judgement House national organization based in Clearwater, Fla. All scripts follow a story line that involves a fatal accident to make the emphasis that the only way to get to Heaven is by believing in Jesus. John Holland, minister of music and senior adults for FBC Winnfield, explained to the Baptist Message that the congregation hosts Judgment House every two years, hosting a church-wide revival in the year between. “After the first year’s presentation, we were overwhelmed by the response from churches throughout central Louisiana,” Holland said. “It is a unique, cutting-edge evangelistic opportunity, but it is very demanding on the cast members. Due to its … [Read more...]
At 50, FBC Dupont gets a second wind
By Holly Jo Linzay, Regional Reporter DUPONT (LBM) – There is new life in First Baptist Church Dupont, which began about 50 years ago as a rural mission church in southern Avoyelles Parish. The congregation, which was gasping for breath to survive, had dwindled down to a handful of people when the door opened for Brian Johnston to become the pastor. Now, after many heavenly appeals, there has been such revitalization that Johnston anticipates members will vote on a new identity within the month. “We plan to change the name because we are a new work. Everything is going great now, and our church has their heart on the Lord. We present ourselves to the community as a new work,” Johnston said. Moreover, the congregation plans to reconstitute as a mission church as part of its “fresh start.” God has given church members, who now number about 28, a vision to be relevant to the Dupont community, Johnston said, and there is a newfound fervor for outreach. Moreover, the pastor believes the church’s “second wind” is the direct result of intentional prayer. When the church switched their mid-week service to Thursday nights, Johnston said the members began a new focus. “We had a big, heavy emphasis on prayer,” he … [Read more...]
Louisiana Notables
IN REMEMBERANCE Mrs. Lonie Mardell Roach, age 94, recently of Alexandria, went home to be with her Lord on Friday, September 15, 2017. She was a Godly woman who dedicated her life to being a Christian wife and mother. She was also a faithful partner in ministry alongside her preacher-husband, H.M. Roach, for 67 years. She leaves a rich legacy of love and Christian values, for which her family wishes to honor her. Condolences can be sent to Dr. & Mrs. Bruce Roach, 2508 10th Ave. NW, Minot, ND 58703. ON THE MOVE Leanne Treme is the new reservations supervisor at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth. Tyler Adams is the new Maintenance Technician at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth. HOMECOMING West Lake Baptist Church, Doyline: 39th Homecoming, October 1, 10:30 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will be held after services. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish. Pastor: Jerry Elgin. Cedar Baptist Church, Archibald: Homecoming 2017, October 1, 10:30 a.m. with dinner on the grounds to follow at noon. Speaker: Bryan Lipscomb , former Pastor of Cedar Baptist Church and present Pastor of Providence Baptist Church of Lufkin, Texas. All friends, families and former church members are … [Read more...]
Violent crime rises for second straight year, led by murders in Chicago, Baltimore, Las Vegas lead
Platt approved to serve on church staff while also IMB president
By Staff, Baptist Message RIDGECREST, N.C. (LBM) – Trustees of the International Mission Board have agreed to a request from David Platt to join the staff of a Northern Virginia congregation as teaching pastor, while also serving as president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s overseas mission entity headquartered in Richmond. Julie McGowan, IMB’s public relations leader, wrote Sept. 14, that trustee chairman Hance Dilbeck presented the information during the recently completed trustee meeting in Ridgecrest, N.C., for approval as part of the minutes from an Aug. 24 IMB trustee executive committee meeting. According to McGowan, during the August meeting, the executive committee of the IMB trustees agreed to evaluate Platt’s involvement at McLean Bible Church “during a provisional period over the coming months.” “‘Our president, Dr. David Platt, has expressed a deep sense of calling to serve as teaching pastor of McLean Bible Church while also continuing to lead the International Mission Board,’ Dilbeck, senior pastor of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, said. ‘We respect Dr. Platt and his sense of the Lord’s leading; and we recognize our responsibility to hold him accountable for his work leading the … [Read more...]
IMB appoints 51 new missionaries, approves budget
By Staff, Baptist Message RIDGECREST, N.C. (LBM) – During their Sept. 11-13 meeting at the Ridgecrest Conference Center near Ashville, N.C., International Mission Board trustees approved new personnel and passed the 2017-2018 budget. The 51 missionaries who were appointed represent churches in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. The overseas missionary force totaled 3,612 as of the end of the trustee meeting, up from the 3,596 numbered at the end of 2016. Meanwhile trustees approved a budget of $262 million, down from last year’s $270 million financial plan. The budget projects Lottie Moon Christmas Offering receipts at $153 million for 2017-18, similar to actual receipts for 2016-2017. The budget is based on a new fiscal year, Oct. 1, 2017-Sept. 30, 2018, which aligns IMB’s financial year with other SBC entities. Trustees also welcomed 11 new colleagues elected in June during the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Phoenix: Joel Bundick, pastor of Community of Grace church in Aurora, Colo.; Jim Crockett, president of R1 Ministries and member of First Baptist Church of Hendersonville, … [Read more...]
After anthem protests, Louisiana lawmaker says cut Saints’, NFL’s estimated $392 million state tax benefits
NFL ratings dropping
Patriots fans boo players for kneeling during anthem
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