By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE – On a day when many pro-abortion activists participated in marches nationwide, supporters of life took to the streets in downtown Baton Rouge to proclaim their message that every person matters in God’s eyes. Held Jan. 21, the Louisiana Life March South drew around 1,500 people, despite the possibility of rainfall in the forecast. "Even though storms threatened the Louisiana Life March South, pro-lifers stood strong to protect both mom and baby," said Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Benjamin Clapper. "Representative Katrina Jackson inspired the audience with the call to never quit defending life and helping mothers." The theme for this year’s march was “Protect Them Both.” Organizers wanted to emphasize the pro-life movement values not only the unborn child but their mothers who have alternatives to abortion, such as crisis pregnancy centers in the state. Among the speakers at the march was Katrina Jackson, a state representative who authored legislation that requires admitting privileges for doctors who perform abortions. She encouraged the marchers to be an advocate for life, showing women facing a difficult decision that they have another option … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2017
Williams: ‘Greatest Commandment’ revival is on the horizon
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON – K. Marshall Williams, Sr. believes a “Greatest Commandment” revival is on the horizon and he is hoping many Christians join him in fasting and praying for it to take place. Referring to Matthew 22:37-40, Williams, pastor of the Nazarene Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa., said he is praying “every blood-bought believer” would be inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit “to model unconditional love, humility, brokenness with radiant obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.” He said this “will bring inexplicable unity in the Body of Christ” which is key to “revival of evangelism and discipleship in the Church and a spiritual awakening in the land.” Since answering the call to ministry 38 years ago, evangelism has been at the heart of his ministry, Williams said. After graduating from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn., in 1978, Williams said he joined Sports Ambassadors, a basketball evangelism ministry team, and toured the Philippines, Hong Kong, Tokyo and five countries in Africa, using sports as a platform to share Christ. When he returned to the U.S., he enrolled at Palmer Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pa., where he served as an adjunct chaplain and … [Read more...]
NOBTs awards degrees at December ceremony
NEW ORLEANS (BP) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary held its graduation ceremony in late December, awarding 89 master’s degrees, 23 doctoral degrees and 54 bachelor degrees. Among those graduating were students with Louisiana ties. They were: Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry Brock Burch, Kentwood Tim Kyle Cross, New Orleans Dustin Wayne Lee, Lafayett Michael Thomas, Bogalusa Master of Music in Church Music Carly York Fulmer, Gretna Master of Arts (Biblical Studies) Andy David Nance, Folsom Dusty Michael Rigsby, Slidell Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics Jade Grantham Turner, Ponchatoula Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry Titus Terrebonne, New Orleans Master of Divinity Andrew Stephen Gaspard, Shreveport Adam Martin, Covington Andrei Parvu, New Orleans David Wayne Sneed, New Orleans Mason Danny Welch, Baton Rouge Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling Sarah R Clanton, New Orleans Tiffany Raley, Baton Rouge Doctor of Ministry Jack Gregory Bell, Hornbeck … [Read more...]
Hispanic Evangelism Conference emphasizes Harvest preparation and strategies for growth
By Will Hall, Message Editor RUSTON — Speaking to a full crowd in the chapel of Temple Baptist Church, Ruston, Jan. 21, featured speaker Mateo Lopez encouraged the audience of pastors and laymen to be intentional in preparing to reap a harvest through evangelism, and, he emphasized going back to the growth "secrets" of the early church in order to expand the Gospel to the world. Referencing 2 Timothy 4:5, Lopez, a pastor, church planter and teacher at the Indigenous Education Center in Veracruz, Mexico, said believers must be serious about "doing the work of the evangelist." He said this life emphasis starts with "a personal transformation," and he implored the crowd to seek the Word and pursue "an attitude of obedience." Lopez concluded the first general session by referencing Isaiah 6:8 which asks "Who shall we send?" and elicits the response, "Here I am. Send me." Revisiting this passage with the Baptist Message, Lopez said too often readers think "international missions" when reading this text. But he said it actually reflects the Great Commission's charge that "as we go" we are to evangelize, baptize and disciple (Mathew 28:18-20). Furthermore, he said, "Acts 1:8 shows the correct order of priority in missions: … [Read more...]
Louisiana DR teams deploy to Oklahoma, Mississippi
By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA–Despite five confirmed tornadoes, Louisiana was not pummeled as badly as its neighbors over the weekend as a strong storm system swept across the south. In Texas and Oklahoma strong winds and a severe ice storm crippled the area while to the east a rash or tornadoes left a swath of multiple deaths – 18 fatalities with scores injured in Mississippi and Georgia – and destruction costing millions in its wake. The enormous storm system which blew through Louisiana Jan. 21, left trees uprooted, destroyed homes and trailers, toppled power lines, snapped trees in two, and injured several people. Gibbie McMillan, Disaster Relief director for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, said no teams were being dispatched to these areas in the state as local communities had already begun the clean-up process. However, five teams – three to Petal, Miss., and two more to Woodward, Okla., -- were being dispatched. “We are sending chainsaw, blue tarp and debris removal crews to Mississippi,” he said. “Mike Shumock, who is from the Hattiesburg area and is helping us with the rebuild here in the state, is leading those volunteers to Mississippi.” McMillan said the devastation is significant, … [Read more...]
Louisiana Notables
ON THE MOVE Mike Smith resigns as pastor of Brookwood Baptist Church, Shreveport. Mark Cole is the new NextGen pastor at First Baptist Church, West Monroe. Ed Baldwin is the new pastor at Sharp Baptist Church, Lena. Josh Eliff is the pastor at First West, Calhoun. David Brown is the pastor at Refuge Church, Monroe. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Patterson: Revival, Jan. 29-Feb. 1, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.; Sunday evening thru Wednesday, 6 p.m. Evangelist: The Lisembys. Pastor: Michael D. Reichard, Jr. Sugartown Baptist Church, Sugartown: Revival, Feb. 2-5, Thursday thru Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. Evangelists: The Lisembys. Social Springs Baptist Church, Ringgold: Harvest Sunday, Jan 29. Evangelist: Sam Moore. Pastor: James Hester. Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church, Spearsville: Revival, Feb 5-8. Evangelist: Sam Moore. Pastor: Adam Hill. Wilda Baptist Church, Gardener: Revival, Feb. 8-12. Evangelist: Lyndon Longoria. Pastor: Joey Rudisill. LAGNIAPPE Earnest Little is available for interim or supply. Call 318.663.2770. The Evangeline Baptist Association is recognizing Wallace Primeaux on his 90th birthday at the end of January. Primeaux is the former Director of Missions for Evangeline and Gulf … [Read more...]
Baptisms, outreach to military, are East Leesville’s heartbeat
By Brian Blackwell. Message staff writer LEESVILLE – Shortly before Christmas 2016, Sherry Slaydon gave her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren a priceless gift – the opportunity to celebrate her new life in Christ by being present at her baptism. “I pray watching their grandma proclaim her love for God was an inspiration to them,” she said. “I had people tell me I had a glow afterward … words can’t describe the feeling.” Now, she is anxious to share the Good News that changed her heart with others, too. Slaydon was among 77 people East Leesville Baptist baptized in 2016, adding up to a combined three-year total of 205. Rarely does a Sunday pass when Pastor Jeff Smart or another staff member is not baptizing someone. “We are so used to baptisms every week that it’s something our church looks forward to every Sunday,” Smart shared, saying baptisms reflect the heartbeat of the congregation – evangelism. God even uses baptisms for still more evangelism, he said. “I tell those who are getting baptized that they are telling their story of how Christ has changed their life,” Smart said. “Someone who isn’t saved sees that and they might accept Christ – which has happened numerous times.” The heartbeat of … [Read more...]
During tornado woman takes flight in bathtub and survives
350,000 networks of fake accounts discovered on Twitter
Nasty or nice? Study lnks personality to brain shape
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