Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Archives for 2021

Are you ready to pray?

By Stewart Holloway PINEVILLE, La. - I’ve heard people say, “If that doesn’t light your fire, your wood is wet.” I would say that about yesterday. It’s been a while since I had a 15 1/2 hour Sunday and was so jazzed when I got home that it was hard to come down. But yesterday was that. First, we had baptisms in both services. In the first service, I baptized a father and daughter. That kind of baptism is always extra special, especially when the little girl says, “Yes sir!” with joy and certainty when I ask, “Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?” Second, in our second service, we honored a young man who made a difference in a kid’s life. That moment was moving as our entire congregation stood and clapped, some wiping tears from their eyes. Third, we had our highest worship attendance since the shut down a year ago, falling just twenty-five people short of pre-Covid attendance. It was also good to see even more of our people back for the first time in a year. Every Sunday is like a homecoming now! We had powerful worship services. I got a text from one person watching online that simple read, “Glory!” People left saying, “I felt the Spirit today” and “I feel like I’ve been to heaven.” Fourth, … [Read more...]

‘Equality Act’ passes U.S. House, threatens religious freedom, women’s rights, unborn

By Baptist Message staff WASHINGTON, D.C. (LBM) – The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed, Feb. 25, the Equality Act, a bill that would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to protect people from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. However, critics of the bill contend it poses a serious threat to religious liberty and women’s sports as well as the unborn. The legislation “expands the definition of public accommodations to include places or establishments that provide (1) exhibitions, recreation, exercise, amusement, gatherings, or displays; (2) goods, services, or programs; and (3) transportation services. The bill allows the Department of Justice to intervene in equal protection actions in federal court on account of sexual orientation or gender identity.” Meaning, the bill could force females to share locker rooms and restrooms with biological males, whether transitioned or not. National Right to Life posted on their Facebook page that the Equality Act contains language “that could be construed to create a right to demand abortion from health care providers, and likely would place at risk the authority of the government to prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions.” Three Republicans … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist DR lends helping hand following historic winter storm

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, LA. (LBM) – In the wake of an historic winter storm in mid-February that sent temperatures plummeting to record lows, knocked out power to thousands and dumped ice, sleet and snow throughout the state, Louisiana Baptists provided much needed help. Gibbie McMillan, state disaster relief coordinator for Louisiana Baptists, told the Baptist Message chainsaw teams from Kentwood and Two Rivers Baptist Association on Feb. 20 removed an oak tree that had split near a home in Saint Helena Parish. “When the weather affects our daily living, we usually need a little help, which is why we keep supplies in stock in order to be of help to those in need,” McMillan said. “It is always great when we can fulfill the needs of our churches and students on a college campus.” Like many communities, the city of Natchitoches and Northwestern State University’s campus were under a boil advisory following the storm. NSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry Director Bill Collins boiled 80 gallons of water using crawfish pots and delivered it to the school’s football team on Feb. 23 and 24. He also distributed bottled water, donated by Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief, to the school’s athletic … [Read more...]

LBC Women to ‘Embrace’ purpose at FBC Pineville

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Andrea Lennon, a Little Rock, Arkansas-based writer and speaker, will challenge ladies attending the upcoming Louisiana Baptist women’s missions and ministry celebration to embrace their God-given purpose. Scheduled for March 20 at First Baptist Church in Pineville, “Embrace” is an event for women of all cultures and generations to realize their God-given value and purpose. “Embrace, like most everything else, has been reinvented several times since last year’s canceled event,” Louisiana Baptists women’s missions and ministry strategist Janie Wise told the Baptist Message. “But I am convinced that we must have presence and that presence must not only center on Bible study, worship, inspiration and a gathering, it must be a time for the individual woman to have opportunity for spiritual growth and personal development.” This year, because of COVID-19 protocols, Embrace will be a hybrid experience that will allow participants to attend in-person or via livestream. Following the March 20 event, the experience will continue with pre-recorded breakout conferences available online March 22 through April 30 for all registered guests. Breakout … [Read more...]