[img_assist|nid=8132|title=Igniting Passion|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=406|height=640]By John Evans, Baptist Press   NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – When a Vermont pastor’s father became deathly ill, the pastor called the Green Mountain Baptist Association. Like many pastors in the state, he works another job to make ends meet. Unable to pay for the long trip home to be near his father, he needed compassionate counsel from a trusted colleague in ministry.   “Within minutes of his phone call, I was able to send out a plea to all our pastors,” Terry Dorsett, director of missions and church planting catalyst with the association, recounted in an email.   “In less than two hours I was able to call him back and tell him that we had collected all that he needed to make the trip home.”   For many pastors, Baptist associations serve as the primary support system for their work and ministry. But that’s just one facet of the groups of churches that join together for fellowship, for ministry and service and for cooperative evangelism and missions.   The Baptist association is the oldest cooperative unit in Baptist life, tracing its existence back more than 300 years.   Each … [Read more...]

By Al Quartemont, Special to the Message[img_assist|nid=8134|title=Like a group of brothers|desc=LC senior baseball players Colton Cole, Jordan Meisner, Justin Reed and Greg Uzee celebrate their graduation together.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=427]   PINEVILLE – As they huddled together for one final picture, Louisiana College baseball players Colton Cole, Jordan Meisner, Justin Reed and Greg Uzee were celebrating their greatest victory yet: their college graduation.   These four young men who had come from different places – Cole from Texas and Meisner, Reed and Uzee from across Louisiana – were now leaving with a common bond:  graduates of LC.   “Four or five years ago, we had never heard each other’s names, seen each other or had any idea any of us existed,” Meisner said. “Now we’re like a group of brothers.”   “Graduating with your fellow teammates is something every student athlete dreams about,” Reed said. “The time and dedication we put in together allowed us to build a special bond unlike any other. I’m so proud of each of my teammates who graduated this year because I know they’ve put in countless hours of hard work to get where they are now.”   Though they … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   Youth Bible Drill:   7th Grade Bible Drill - There were 8 people recognized as winners in four 7th grade groups: Lainey Gamble – FBC, Gonzales; Camryn Mikesell-FBC, Luling; Julia Schober-Heritage, Shreveport; Aubrey Dillon-FBC, Lake Charles; Sam Philley-Trinity, Oak Grove; Julie Bartley-East Winnfield, Winnfield.   8th Grade Bible Drill - There were 6 people recognized as winners in three 8th grade groups: Alanna Thompson-Pioneer,Pioneer; Mandy Rudd-Quitman, Quitman; Abbie Dixon-Westside, Moss Bluff; Benjamin Haines-Parkview, Baton Rouge; Carmen Fisk-FBC, Slidell; Savannah Whitney- FBC, Luling; Mitchell Bearry- Woodlawn, Baton Rouge.   9th Grade Bible Drill – The first & second place winners of each of the three 9th grade Bible Drill groups were: Paige Nevels-FBC, Oak Grove; Sarah Haines-Heritage, Sheveport; Thomas Gamble-FBC, Gonzales; Chaz Morgan-Woodlawn, Baton Rouge; Abbi Wilson-FBC, Lafayette; Paul Deline-FBC, Youngsville.   9th Grade Bible Drill –  A “Drill-Off” was held, composed of 9 of the 9th grade participants with the highest overall scores to determine the overall winner. The Drill-Off participants were: Thomas Gamble-FBC, Gonzales; … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=8137|title=A first|desc=James Jenkins D.Min. stands between David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and John Hebert, LBC missions director, during an office time of celebration following graduation after nearly five years studying for his doctorate at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427]By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor   NEW ORLEANS – “I want to be part of what our denomination will be in its next hundred years,” says James Jenkins, African American and Hispanic Ministry Strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and pastor of Baptist Bible Fellowship in Shreveport.   “Part of that is leadership,” Jenkins says. “Everything revolves around leadership.”   Toward that end – and for the intellectual stimulation, Jenkins adds – nearly five years ago he began work on a Doctor of Ministry – D.Min. – degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   He graduated May 12 with a D.Min. in Denominational Leadership, the first ever given at NOBTS, school officials said.   “We congratulate James on receiving this first-of-its-kind degree,” said John Hebert, director of the LBC … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   HUSSER – As pastors from Two Rivers Baptist Association met at New Sharon Baptist Church for their monthly pastor/staff conference, officers of the association signed a resolution affirming Louisiana College’s lawsuit regarding federal healthcare legislation.   “We applaud the efforts of Louisiana College in their efforts to protect the rights of all individuals,” said Rusty Durand, pastor of Montpelier (La.) Baptist Church and Two Rivers moderator.   “Our churches believe in the work of Louisiana College and are grateful for the leadership of Dr. Joe Aguillard and all the professors who are leading in this important arena,” said Stan Statham, director of missions in Two Rivers, Washington and William Wallace Baptist Associations, known collectively – yet informally – as Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana.   The resolution had been passed unanimously at the association’s April 9 spring meeting. Copies have been mailed to State Senators David Vitter and Mary Landrieu, U.S. Representatives Steve Scalise and Bill Cassidy, and President Barak Obama. … [Read more...]

By Frank M. McCormack, NOBTS Communications   NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary celebrated its largest graduating class in the school’s 95-year history May 11 and 12 with a total of 389 graduates.   Leavell College, the seminary’s undergraduate program, held its commencement ceremony May 11, with a graduating class of 235. The graduate commencement took place the following day, with 154 master’s and doctoral graduates.   The school’s previous high graduation mark was 367 in May 2005.   The students who received degrees during the two commencement ceremonies offered a well-composed snapshot of the New Orleans Seminary’s identity and commitment to making theological training accessible to as many men and women as possible, regardless of where they are in the world.   Of the 235 Leavell College graduates, 145 of them were students from NOBTS training sites in Cayes, Port-au-Prince and Port-de-Paix, Haiti. The seminary has partnered with the Florida Baptist Convention to provide ministry training in Haiti since early 2004. Courses there are taught in the students’ heart language of French Creole.   Many of the graduates, who received certificates in … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   First Krotz Springs – Chad Bolfa is pastor – is doing  more of an emphasis on missions hands-on, in the community, state, and world.   One thing they are doing is building a new structure on their property that will house a storefront ministry for the entire community. This is being done debt-free.   The pastor of First Ville Platte, Kevin West, and Suresh Chiruguru, pastor of missions at First Ville Platte, have started an evangelistic magazine in the Telugu (East Indian) language.   Three thousand copies of the bimonthly publication are distributed in India through a pastor they know there, to pastors, other leaders and seminaries.   West is looking for others who have a passion for India to partner with First Ville Platte in expanding the magazine ministry to five languages. Contact him at 337.363.4240 or kevin.west@fbcvp.com.   North Eunice Baptist is teaming up with First Pine Prairie – Pastor Keith Sheridan – for “Mamou 516.” It’s a series of outreach efforts in the Mamou community.  They’ve had two already: family movie and block party. “This is a great way to reach the people,” said Pastor Travis Turner of North Eunice. “We want … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES   Shawn Fargerson, new as minister of music at Airline Bossier City from First Oil City. Pastor: Chad Mills.   David (wife Lea Anne) Lane, new as pastor of Judson Walker as of May 13, with installation service at 10:30 a.m. May 20.   Nancy Ratcliff Harper, wife of Pastor Tom Harper of First Melville, died April 16.   James “Jay” Avance, new as pastor of Forest (La.) Baptist, from First Baker.   Preston Allen, new as music minister at Emmanuel Monroe.   Gabe Krell resigns as education minister at Parkview Monroe for Florida pastorate.   Needed/Available   Gospel Group retiring; For sale: CRATE 6 mike mixing board w/stand. 2 speakers/w stand, 8 mikes, 10 misc. cords. Price: $600. Call 318.687.8799.   Homecomings, Anniversaries, Revivals   Calvary Ville Platte – known originally as Calvary Baptist Church of Bayou Chicot, started in November 1812 by Joseph Willis – plans its 200th anniversary celebration Nov. 2-4. Activities include a community worship service Nov. 2 at Vandenburg Cemetery north of Bayou Chicot, prayer breakfast Nov. 3 at Calvary Ville Platte, plus … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=8143|title=First Houma Groundbreaking|desc=First Baptist Church of Houma broke ground April 15 on a 50,000 square foot worship facility. The new facility will seat 1,500 and include four additional wings for education ministry. Over the last 13 years the church has grown in worship attendance from an average of 350 to more than 1,100. The facility will take about 14 months to build. Foster Construction from Alexandra is general contractor; Jeff Sampson from Alexandra is architect; Steve Folmar is Senior Pastor.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427] … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor   WOODWORTH – The annual spring meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board members was a time for voting on LBC business and hearing reports of LBC-related entities.   It is the 93-member Board’s responsibility to provide watchcare of the LBC for its 1,600 affiliated churches.   Board President Rick Byargeon, pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, opened the May 1 meeting at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center – following a short performance by the Voices of LC, led by Fred Guilbert – with a message based on Exodus 34:29-35.   Why was Moses’ face glowing? “It was God’s way of saying, ‘This man has been in my presence; listen to him,’” Byargeon said. “Time spent with God gave him authority to speak. ... If you want to be authentic, you’ve got to spend time with God. You want to show evidence you’ve been with Jesus.”   In his report, LBC Executive Director David Hankins discussed the Awaken – It’s Time movement, and his participation in the parish “Wave of Prayer” that took place in March and April with about 2,500 participants in all.   “It was a great experience for me,” Hankins said. “We have a … [Read more...]