By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAUGHTON – Bill Britt had aspirations of playing big time football as a promising high school athlete, but his life’s plans and priorities changed immediately when he accepted Christ during a revival at First Baptist Church in Haughton. Excited about his newfound faith, the next morning Britt posted a handmade sign in the locker room asking teammates to come talk to him about how to become a Christian. That same day, he shared the plan of salvation during math class. It would be the beginning of a lifetime spent sharing the Gospel from Louisiana to the uttermost parts of the earth. “I think getting saved at a revival is one reason I am so passionate about evangelism, especially in large settings,” said Britt, founder of Compel Outreach International. “I saw how much of an impact revival meetings can have on a local church and surrounding community.” A graduate of Louisiana College, Britt was called to evangelism in 1982 while serving as pastor of Freedom Baptist Church in Pitkin. His invitations to preach at other churches steadily increased to the point that Britt felt it was time to say yes to God’s invitation to “step out in faith.” Compel Outreach International, … [Read more...]
Closed by flood, church still a part of the Kingdom to come
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAMMOND – Since it was constituted 30 years ago, Hillside Baptist Church has been known as a loving congregation which survived its share of trials. Despite an optimistic attitude, the congregation of 20 could not overcome several feet of water that filled the worship center – after the Natalbany River overflowed its banks in August – wiping out pews, hymnals and three decades of memories. Among the few items not destroyed was the baptistery. Lacking flood insurance, the congregation decided to close permanently, but they were looking for a way to continue contributing to Kingdom work, even in the face of shutting down and turning over the keys Sept. 8 to the family who originally donated the property. During this time of seeking God’s guidance, Hillside members were inspired to donate the baptistery to a congregation that was busy soul-winning and in need of one – and found out Still Water Baptist Church in Hammond was waiting to baptize 13 new believers. Pastor Gerald Burton was excited his Hillside congregation was able to give away something that can bless others for generations to come. “The devastating fact that all was lost was a very hard blow to the few … [Read more...]
Malachi: The same old sins
By Russell L. Meek, Louisiana College ALEXANDRIA – The Babylonian army descended upon Judah in the sixth century BC, destroying the city of Jerusalem and the temple of God in 586. The people had been consistently warned this would happen, but they were confident it would not be so, even though the Northern Kingdom Israel had suffered a similar fate some 150 years earlier. FORWARNED The prophets warned Judah repeatedly that their idolatry – looking to things other than God for their safety, satisfaction, and fulfillment – would end badly; and, because the vertical relationship between God and the people was broken by idolatry, the horizontal relationship between people also suffered greatly. The prophets also warned the people about this: Their social injustice – exploitation of the poor, the orphan, the widow, the stranger – would also bring about God’s judgment. But why were God’s people so confident that judgment would not befall them? In a word (or two): religious ritualism. They were convinced that simply going through the motions of worship was sufficient to keep God happy and secure His blessing. Biblical scholars J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays describe Jeremiah’s prophecy about these covenant … [Read more...]
Make Christmas Great Again — keep Christ at the center
By Franklin Graham Have you ever heard the old saying “Misery loves company?” That’s what this atheist billboard made me think of. These people are anti-God, and they want others to miss out on the joy of Christmas as well. They are blind to the truth of Christmas—which is God showing His great love for us by sending a Savior, His Son Jesus Christ. Christmas isn’t about Santa Claus or Jingle Bells. So let’s make Christmas great again this year—by attending church and by keeping Christ at the center. Are you in? … [Read more...]
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