By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
Judging by the schedules of two Louisiana Baptist singing groups, there’s a whole lot of singing going on through early 2015.
The Louisiana Baptist Singing Ministers – a group of 52 music ministers and laymen – and the Louisiana Baptist Singing Women – a compilation of around 70 women from various areas of the state – kicked off their 2014-15 concert season in mid-September and will travel throughout the state until the spring of 2015. Highlights of the tour include a performance at Angola State Prison on Feb. 19, 2015, by the Louisiana Baptist Singing Ministers and a combined concert by both groups on April 16 at First Baptist Lafayette.
During each performance, the two groups collect an offering for needy students. The Louisiana Baptist Singing Men collect money to fund BB McKinney scholarships for students at Louisiana College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary who are preparing for serve as worship leaders.
The Louisiana Baptist Singing Women collect an offering that goes toward the Teresa Thomason Keyboard Scholarship, which is awarded to Louisiana students who have participated in the State Piano Festival and are furthering their collegiate studies.
To prepare for the upcoming concert tours, both groups gathered for separate two-day retreats.
Not only are the retreats a time to practice together but also a chance to join in Christian fellowship.
“We always enjoy the fellowship with each other, and joining our voices together in praise to our Lord,” said Paul DeRousse, minister of music at Emmanuel Baptist in Shreveport and a past president of the Louisiana Baptist Singing Ministers.
Pansy Morgan, president of the Louisiana Baptist Singing Women, echoed the thought.
“Our mission is to share the gospel through music,” said Morgan, a member of First Baptist Natchitoches. “It’s a fun time if fellowship and getting together with other women who sing. The greatest blessing is sharing the love of Jesus through music.”
The remaining concert schedules of the two groups are:
Louisiana Baptist Singing Ministers
Oct. 16 – 6:30 – First Baptist Swartz*
Nov. 10 – 2:30 – First Baptist Lafayette for LBC Annual Meeting (time shown is rehearsal time)
Nov. 20 – 6:30 – First Baptist Lecompte*
Jan. 15, 2015 – 6:30 –First Baptist Vivian
Feb. 19, 2015 – Angola State Prison
March 19, 2015 – 6:30 – University Baptist, Baton Rouge*
April 16, 2015 – 6:30 – First Baptist Lafayette, combined with Singing Women of Louisiana
May 21, 2015 – 6:30 – Bethany Baptist, Bethany*
Dates with an asterisk (*) indicate possible ministry events at local prisons or other facilities.
Louisiana Baptist Singing Women
Oct. 9 – First Baptist Youngsville
Nov. 13 – Trinity Baptist-Lake Charles
Jan. 8, 2015 – First Baptist Columbia
Feb. 12, 2015 – First Baptist Zwolle
March 12, 2015 – First Baptist Natchitoches
April 16, 2015 – First Baptist Lafayette
(Joint Concert with Singing Ministers)