By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Louisiana Baptist churches around the state are starting the year off by humbling themselves before God through a variety of prayer efforts. Among those efforts were churches gathering for the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association’s third annual “Call to Prayer” Jan. 28 6 p.m. at Cypress Baptist Church, Benton. Hundreds of members from the association’s 117 churches came together to pray for law enforcement, the persecuted church, government officials, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders. Pastors and other church staff led various times of prayer. Hosted by Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, the Jan. 28 gathering brought together Christians of various ages and ethnicities to pray for law enforcement, the persecuted church, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders. Just like the previous gatherings at First Baptist Church, Bossier City, and Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport, this event was marked by prayer from the worship center stage, in small groups around the room and by individuals who pleaded with God for revival in their community, state and nation. FIRST BOSSIER One church in the association … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2018
Rolling Hills’ thrift store opens door for ministry in Monroe
By Message Staff MONROE – Rolling Hills Ministries has opened its new thrift store in Monroe, setting the stage for the store to be used as a tool to show Christ’s love to the people of northeast Louisiana. The thrift store that serves also as a compassion center located at 5339 Desiard Street opened Jan. 2. Among the items sold inside the store are household items, clothing and furniture. “Rolling Hills has seen God work through many ways to provide this step of faith,” said David Abernathy, executive director of Rolling Hills Ministries. “The ministry wants to add value to Monroe by serving those in need, and assure them that God loves them and desires to help them through the life situations that they are experiencing.” The $1.8 million, 15,600 sq. ft. store is the fourth Rolling Hills Minisitries has opened. The other three are located in Arcadia, Bossier City and Ruston. Like the other stores, the Monroe location accepts drop off items, and picks up donations such as furniture and other large items. Money made through the thrift store will support Rolling Hills Ministries’ compassion ministries such as the partnership with Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home starting in March. Women in the community – … [Read more...]
Archaeologists debunk peaceful coexistence myth about ancient Christian town taken over by Muslims
Bible studies, baptisms are the wind beneath the Eagles’ wings
Tie that binds Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles is a strong Christian faith
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/jan/28/strong-christian-faith-binds-philadelphia-eagles-a/ … [Read more...]
How to tell you’ve the joy of your salvation
By Joe McKeever “Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation” –Psalm 51:12. Just because salvation is for eternity, anchored forever in the faithfulness of God, does not mean you cannot lose the closeness and fellowship with our wonderful Lord. A married couple can lose their joy and intimacy for a season, although the marriage is still valid and intact. God’s faithfulness does not wax hot and cold depending on what we do or how we felt when we woke up this morning. He does not undo our salvation when we weaken and falter. The blessings upon us are conditional to our faithfulness and may dry up, but the relationship never varies. Forever, we are His and He is ours. My children may be in or out of my favor at given times, but they are still mine. Just because the Lord brings us into His forever family (through faith in Christ, by His precious blood, as a result of His grace) and promises to “never leave thee nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5) does not mean we cannot lose the joy of that relationship. We can. And many have. Try not to lose yours. Jesus promises us His joy (John 15:11 and 17:13) and fullness of joy (15:11 and 16:24). He promises that no one can steal our joy from us (John 16:22). Jesus sees joy as … [Read more...]
It’s Time to Bring In The Harvest!
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Ron Herrod said in a day when Southern Baptist churches are seeing a decline in baptisms, the time is now for Christ-followers to carry out God’s will – bringing in the harvest. “May God break our hearts,” Herrod said during the 2018 Evangelism Conference at First Baptist Church, Pineville. “The harvest is there and we’re missing the harvest.” Herrod was one of many speakers who emphasized this theme in their messages. The program also featured Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention; Rick Gage, founder of GO TELL Ministries, Atlanta, Ga.; Sammy Tippit, founder of Sammy Tippit Ministries, San Antonio, Texas; Greg Frizzell, founder of Greg Frizzell Ministries, Oklahoma City, Okla.; and, Karen Abercrombie, an award winning actress who played the spicy, 80-year-old prayer warrior, Miss Clara, in the film “War Room.” Also, he was representative of the group’s emphasis on soul-winning as the needed focus of all Louisiana Baptist ministries. “You can build houses,” said Herrod, founder of Ron Herrod Evangelism Ministries Association, Knoxville, Tenn. “You can meet human needs. You can … [Read more...]
Louisiana Notables
By Staff, Baptist Message ON THE MOVE Adam Hughes is the interim pastor at Red Bluff Baptist Church, Folsom. Gerald Burton is the new pastor at Antioch Baptist Church, Tickfaw. Matt Pinckard is the new Next Gen pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Albany. Russell Osborne is the new pastor at Lighthouse Baptist Church, Independence. Courtney Rainey is the new pastor at Greenacres Baptist Church, Bastrop. David (wife Celina) Rice is the new pastor at Brookwood Baptist Church in Shreveport. Larry Alton is the new music minister from interim at First Baptist Church, Keithville. REVIVAL Fullerton Baptist Church, Pitkin: Revival, February 21-25. Evangelist: Lyndon Longoria Pastor: Steve Squires. LAGNIAPPE Calvary Baptist Church, Forest Hill is seeking committed musicians to form a praise team. Positions needed are: lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass player, drummer, and keyboard/piano player. Singers are also encouraged to reply. Anyone interested (serious inquires only) in filling any of these positions can contact Aaron Dunn at 337.655.0237 or Wayne Dunn at 318.733.0248. Riverview Baptist Church, Alexandria: The Erwins in concert, February 8, 7 p.m. A love offering will be received. Pastor: David … [Read more...]
Louisiana Church Happenings from Old Zion Hill Baptist Church, Independence
By Staff, Baptist Message Since becoming pastor of Old Zion Hill Baptist Church, Independence, in April 2014, Gary Dennis stands amazed at the countless miracles God has performed within his congregation. He has witnessed Sunday school attendance increase from 90 to 200 and worship attendance grow from 100 to 375, and he was a first-hand recipient of God’s restorative care after the historic flood of August 2016 damaged most of his members’ homes. Dennis credited prayer for each of these blessings. He added that the congregation’s desire to follow God has helped the church thrive and to minister freely in the midst of difficulty. Even in the throes of the flood, the church did not give up. Instead, members opened the fellowship hall and Sunday school classrooms to welcome hundreds of volunteers who had come from across the country to help with disaster response and rebuilding efforts. He was moved when so many of his members stepped up to volunteer even though they had lost so much. “Eventually we recovered enough to begin focusing on our new building project,” Dennis said. “In the meantime, we had a better understanding of how much more dirt we would have to haul in for the foundation. “Our people … [Read more...]
Louisiana Church Happenings from Center Point Baptist Church
By Staff, Baptist Message When Charles Wesley became the supply preacher of Center Point Baptist Church, Jonesboro, the last Sunday of August 2016, the average attendance in Sunday school was in the upper 20’s with mostly senior adults coming. Later Wesley became the interim pastor and then the pastor in October 2017. Understanding that young families were important to the future of the church, Wesley challenged the congregation to prioritize times of prayer to reach young families with children and teenagers. At the same time, the church’s leaders took part in a series of development opportunities such as the study “Experiencing God” and they focused on a model of servant leadership. Out of that, the members became passionate about missions, increasing their giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Samaritan’s Purse and the Cooperative Program. Additionally, the church provided gifts for two children at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and 86 bags of personal care items for those served by His Hands Ministry in Jonesboro. God has answered the prayers by sending several young families and increasing attendance at Sunday morning worship and Sunday school. Attendance is more than 40 for Sunday school … [Read more...]
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