EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event.
ON THE MOVE
Rusty, wife Sandy, Richardson is the minister of education and discipleship at Airline Baptist Church, Bossier City.
Billy Flowers is the new pastor at First Greenwood Baptist Church, Greenwood.
Lee R. Darbonne is available for pastorate supply. He is a seminary graduate that lives in the Rayne, LA area but will go where needed. Please call 337.257.4787.
Rick McPherson resigns as administrator after 30 years at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, West Monroe.
Bruce Butts is the new pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church, DeRidder.
REVIVAL
Mount Olive Baptist Church, Logansport: Revival, January 9-12. Evangelist: Sam Moore. Pastor: Rich Tull.
LAGNIAPPE
Bayou Rouge Baptist Church, Evergreen: Furniture for sale. 22 15-foot long pews (light maple in color) padded back and seat; matching Lord’s Supper table; matching pulpit; two matching flower stands and two matching pulpit pews. If interested, please contact David Townsend at 337.945.3866, if no answer leave your number and he will call you back or Sam Pearce at 318.346.2166. To see the pews or to come pick them up call for an appointment. The church is located 100 Church St., Evergreen, LA 71333.
First Baptist Church, Mandeville: The Foto Sisters in concert, December 18, 6-8 p.m. Pastor: Corey Fontan.
First Baptist Church, West Monroe: NELA Christmas Celebration, December 18, 6 p.m. The NELA Christmas Celebration is your opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of the Christmas season. You will experience all the comforts of the Christmas season. You’ll celebrate the birth of Jesus and reflect on the silent night by candlelight. Cost: $5. Call the church office for tickets or more information at 318.322.5104. Pastor: Michael Wood.
Pastor Robert Leach was recognized for 40 years of service at Friendship Baptist Church, Bienville on Nov. 28. Submitted photo
Social Springs Baptist Church, Ringgold: Mark Lanier in concert with Andrew Ishee, December 19, 6 p.m. Pastor: James Hester.
Longview Baptist Church, Deville: Christ[1]mas Candlelight service, December 19, 6 p.m. Pastor: Robby Poole.
First Baptist Church, Haynesville: “Christ[1]mas All Year Long” — Christmas cantata and drama, December 19, 6 p.m. Pastor: Jeff Tinsley.
Mangham Baptist Church, Mangham: Musical presentation by the MBC adult choir, December 19, 10:30 a.m. Come celebrate the birth of our Savior as we sing to His glory. Community fireworks program, 6 p.m. We will share the Christmas Story with the entire community. There will be hot chocolate and a place for lawn chairs and blankets to watch the fireworks. Pastor: Rick Aultman.
Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville: Christmas worship service, December 19, 9 & 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Philip Robertson.
Philadelphia Baptist Church at Horseshoe Drive, Alexandria: Christmas worship service, December 19, 9 & 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Stuart Sasser.
Rocky Springs Baptist Church, Lisbon: Christmas cantata – “A Breath of Heaven,” presented by the Rocky Springs Choir, December 19, 10:30 a.m.; Christmas Eve candlelight service, December 24, 6 p.m. Pastor: Chris Stephens.
First Baptist Church, Covington: Christmas Eve service, December 24, 1, 3, 5 p.m. Childcare will be by reservation only. Pastor: Waylon Bailey.
First Baptist Church, Ruston: Candlelight service, December 23 & December 24; Thursday, 6 p.m.; Friday, 4 & 5:30 p.m. Come celebrate with family. Pastor: Chris Craig.
First Baptist Church, Bossier City: Christmas Eve worship service, December 24, 5-6 p.m. Pastor: Brad Jurkovich.
First Baptist Church, Winnfield: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, December 24, 5 p.m. Pastor: Jerry Pipes.
First Baptist Church, New Orleans: Christmas Eve Service, December 24, 5 p.m. Pastor: Chad Gilbert. n Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport: Christmas Eve Service, December 24, 2-3 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. Pastor: Heath Peloquin.
First Baptist Church, Haughton: Christmas Eve Service, December 24, 5 p.m. Come join us for worship through singing, preaching, the reading of God’s Word, and participating in the Lord’s supper. Pastor: Gevan Spinney.
First Baptist Church, Lafayette: Christmas Eve Service, December 24, 3 & 5 p.m. Pastor: James Pritchard.
First Baptist Church, DeRidder: Christmas Eve candlelight service, December 24, 5 p.m. Pastor: Steve Graves.
Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge: Candlelight Christmas Eve Services, December 24, 4 & 5:30 p.m. at the Baton Rouge and Ascension campuses. Istrouma’s Candle[1]light Christmas Eve services are a Baton Rouge area tradition. Pastor: Tim Keith.
Bayou Vista Baptist Church, Morgan City: Christmas Eve candlelight service, December 24, 6 p.m. Pastor: Steve Kelly.
Cypress Baptist Church, Benton: Christmas Eve service, December 24, 6 p.m. This service will be a joyful time of reflection with some fun sprinkled in, too. Bring the whole family and enjoy a memorable time of worship, laughter, candlelight, and celebrating the Christmas season. Pastor: John Fream.
First Baptist Church, Pineville: First@First Business Leader Luncheon, January 6, noon. Speaker: Kenny Holt, dean of Louisiana Christian University’s Ray and Dorothy Young School of Business. Please RSVP to https:// fbcpineville.secure2.agroup.com/events/ firstatfirst/2022-01-05+11%3A50%3A00. Pastor: Stewart Holloway.
First Baptist Church, Slaughter: Mark Lanier in concert, January 9, 6 p.m. Pastor: Basil Wicker.
IN REMEMBERANCE
Robert Earl Walden, 96, died on Dec. 4. He was born and grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee where he graduated from Knoxville High School. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps on February 5, 1944 and served until May 17, 1946 with the Third Marine Airwing on Guan and at the Ewa Naval Air Station on Ohau, Hawaii. After his time in the Corps, he went to Carson Newman College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts from there and a Master’s of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Employed with the Louisiana Baptist Convention from October1, 1958 thru December 31, 1990, he served as the Baptist Collegiate Director at USL, currently known as UL Lafayette from 1958 thru 1971. He left the UL BCM to serve as associate in the student division at the LBC until his retirement in 1990. Walden was preceded in death by his parents, Lance Earl Walden and Marion Elizabeth Ruggles Walden; his wife of 51 years, 8 months, Helen Marie Hodgson Walden; sister and husband, Marion Maxine Walden Walker (David); brother and wife, James Alexander Walden (Frances); and one grandson, Jonathan William Walden. He is survived by his loving wife of 10 years, Frances Kathleen Myers Walden; four sons, John Robert Walden (Annette) and David Earl Walden, John Gill (Vickie) and Travis Gill (Michele); one daughter, Melanie Hebert (Roland); ten grandchildren, Matthew Walden, Christopher Walden, Cherie Walden, Madelyn Futrell (Nathan), Maggie Doyle (Jordan), John Hebert (Grace), Ro Hebert (Kinsley), Mikey Hebert (Alexis), Colton Gill, Grace Sonier; and 12 great grandchildren.