By Quinn Lavespere, Message Staff Writer   TALISHEEK – When Julieto “Lito” Magbanua saw the stunning disappearance of God’s work in Talisheek, his broken heart knew God had led him there for a reason.   Led by Magbanua, Light by the Lake Church not only reaches out to the community of Talisheek, but it also preaches the Gospel to the Filipino and Asian communities in Louisiana while stretching across three states and a number of metropolitan areas.   “It had broken my heart to see the ministry just stop in Talisheek, and I knew we had to do something for God there,” the pastor said.  “Likewise, the Filipinos and Asians in this state must not be neglected either, and we must also be active in other places as well.”   Magbanua and the people of his church typically preach the Gospel to others through house meetings held on “any given Sunday or Saturday.”  They gather in the living room of someone’s house and sing and share prayer items.   “Usually, me or somebody else will open the Bible and share the Word of God, and then we pray,” the pastor said.  “Somebody will then bring in some refreshments or bring us to the kitchen, where we’ll have a meal. Typically, we have three to … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Staff Writer   TALISHEEK – When Julieto “Lito” Magbanua saw the stunning disappearance of God’s work in Talisheek, his broken heart knew God had led him there for a reason.   Led by Magbanua, Light by the Lake Church not only reaches out to the community of Talisheek, but it also preaches the Gospel to the Filipino and Asian communities in Louisiana while stretching across three states and a number of metropolitan areas.   “It had broken my heart to see the ministry just stop in Talisheek, and I knew we had to do something for God there,” the pastor said.  “Likewise, the Filipinos and Asians in this state must not be neglected either, and we must also be active in other places as well.”   Magbanua and the people of his church typically preach the Gospel to others through house meetings held on “any given Sunday or Saturday.”  They gather in the living room of someone’s house and sing and share prayer items.   “Usually, me or somebody else will open the Bible and share the Word of God, and then we pray,” the pastor said.  “Somebody will then bring in some refreshments or bring us to the kitchen, where we’ll have a meal. Typically, we have three to … [Read more...]

By Don Hinkle, Missouri Pathway   JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (BP) – A leader in Southern Baptist Convention and state convention life has been elected the 20th executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention.[img_assist|nid=7680|title=John Yeats|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=79|height=100]   John Yeats, 61, the recording secretary of the Southern Baptist Convention and the director of communications and public policy for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, was elected with a vote of 34 yes, 3 no, and 1 abstention during a special called meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board Oct. 13.   “My wife Sharon and I are deeply honored to be a part of what God is doing in the midst of Missouri Baptists,” Yeats said following a question-and-answer session with the board and their subsequent vote. “After much prayer and fasting, we are convinced that the Lord has placed an extraordinary opportunity before us.   “Over the course of the next few months, I purpose to pray a lot, ask a lot of questions and speak with many Missouri Baptist leaders in the churches and associations. Our hope is that over the course of our years of service, a culture of connectedness will emerge that … [Read more...]

By Staff, LBC Communications   ALEXANDRIA – This year’s annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention is to take place Nov. 14-15 at First Baptist Church of Covington. In order for a church to participate in the business of the convention, they will need to elect messenger(s) to represent them.   People elected by their respective church are then able to register as messengers and participate in the business of the convention.   The Credentials Committee oversees the registration process for the annual meeting. Joe Alain, LBC Credentials Committee chairman, announces there are five ways messengers may be certified to participate and vote at this year’s annual convention.   The first and simplest way is for messengers to pre-register using the LBC online program, print out their registration card, and bring the card to the annual meeting, Alain said. Pre-registration in this way allows messengers to be certified within a matter of minutes.   Second, if messengers have not pre-registered, bringing a letter from their church on church letterhead stating that they are elected messengers will allow them to register and be certified to vote.   Third, a church officer … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere and Karen Willoughby, Baptist Message   WALKER – Victory Baptist Church is the latest in a continuing string of churches built by Louisiana Baptist Builders.[img_assist|nid=7683|title=Victory Walker|desc=A volunteer uses a drum roller to pack the dirt for the foundation of Victory Baptist Church. Victory Walker is one of three churches in Louisiana being built by volunteers through LBC Mission Builders.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=424]   Jeff Woodrich coordinates the efforts as Louisiana Baptist Convention’s mission church builder strategist. The construction team formed in 1980 has to date built more than 400 churches in Louisiana with volunteers led by Mission Service Corps construction missionaries.   “Just in the last few months, banks are willing to loan money to churches again,” Woodrich said, referring to the effects of an anemic economy. “It’s all starting to come around.”   Victory Walker, where Fred Dyess is founding pastor, is one of three churches at or near construction in Louisiana that are being built by volunteers through LBC Mission Builders. The other two are Teche Baptist Church in Breaux Bridge, and Watson Baptist Church in … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Baptist Message Editor   PINEVILLE – Louisiana College football is off to its best start in the history of the program.[img_assist|nid=7685|title=One tough Cat|desc=Peter Ford, who had 5 tackles in Saturday’s historic 56-21 win over Sul Ross State, and the LC defense limited their opponets to just 135 yards rushing in the game.|link=none|align=left|width=70|height=100]   The Wildcats 56-21 win over Sul Ross State University of Alpine, Texas, at home on Saturday, Oct. 22, lifted LC’s season record to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the American Southwest Conference.   LC’s most recent win was the Wildcats’ third in a row following a road loss to the number four ranked NCAA Division III team in the nation and conference foe University of Mary Hardin Baylor of Belton, Texas.   LC fell to UMHB 36-10 on Oct. 1.   Despite the loss LC has remained in the top 25 since entering the poll on Sept. 25. Currently the Wildcats are ranked number 21 in the D3football.com poll and are number 24 in the American Football Coaches Association poll. There are 238 teams that compete in football in NCAA Division III.   LC bounced back from the loss to UMHB with a hard-fought 31-24 … [Read more...]

By Tobey Pittman, Crossover Cordinator   NORTHSHORE – Here is an update on Crossover Northshore. Volunteers are needed for three major venues, which we view as regional, and several local outreach opportunities that will touch particular communities within the shadow of some of our churches.   All events are to take place on Saturday, Nov. 12, unless otherwise stated.   STAMPEDE RODEO   Volunteers are needed (60 to 80) at the Fairgrounds in Franklinton as the gospel is shared through the excitement and competition of a “barrels, ropes, and bulls” rodeo.   An evangelistic message – The Sermon on the “Mount – will be shared at the rodeo.   This event will be totally free, attracting about 2,000 people. Volunteers are needed for parking cars, registration, one-on-one evangelism, spotters, and stock handlers. Orientation is at 1 p.m. The rodeo is to start at 6 p.m.   HISPANIC HEALTH FAIR   First Baptist Church of Slidell is to be the host site as six Hispanic congregations in the Northshore region partner to conduct a health fair.   The health fair will feature simple screenings such as blood sugar, blood pressures, body mass, and … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor   MONROE – The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home gave the land in 2010 for the new offices of the Northeast Louisiana and Morehouse Baptist Associations.[img_assist|nid=7688|title=Northeast/Morehouse Baptist Association building|desc=The 5000-square-foot facility was built on property donated by the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. The Association Center is located across the street from the Children’s Home where the Executive Director’s home was previously located.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=378]   Dedication of the 5,000 square-foot, one-story building that was built on about three acres across DeSiard Street at Kansas Avenue from the ground-level LBCH sign took place in June.   “It was our pleasure to offer the associations this property,” said Perry Hancock, president of the Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home. “They had a need and we had property that fit their need. We were glad to help in this, and make it possible for our associations to have a permanent home.”   Northeast and Morehouse Associations are most grateful, said Jerry Price, director of missions for the two associations since 2002.   “We were one of the few … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   NEEDED/GIVING   Carey Baptist Association churches without pastors: Bellview, Bethel Metropolitan, First Cameron, Eastern Heights, First Hackberry, First Iowa, First Lake Arthur. DOM: JP Miles.   Northeast Louisiana Baptist Association churches without pastors: Bethel, Jerusalem, McClendon, Parkview. DOM: Jerry Price.   Morehouse Baptist Association churches without pastors: Antioch, Collinston, Grace, Horseshoe, Oak Hill, Riverside, White Avenue. DOM: Jerry Price.   First Crowville: seeks applications for the position of pastor. Send resumes to: Chairman, Pastor Search Committee, First Baptist Church Crowville, PO Box 38, Crowville LA 71230   Homecomings, Anniversaries, Revivals   College Place Monroe: 67th anniversary celebration 10 a.m. Nov. 6. Speaker: R. Bryant Barnes; Music: Darrell Washam; Pastor Ken Fryer. Dinner on the grounds after service.   First Lake Providence: Homecoming Celebration 10:45 a.m. Nov. 6; dinner to follow service. IMB missionary speaker; Danny Terral, worship leader; Mitch Minson, pastor.   First Converse: Revival. Dinner on the grounds to follow 10:45 a.m. worship Nov. 6; … [Read more...]

By Gary Meyers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Trustees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary approved a new student housing project during an Oct. 12 meeting. The board also approved five new certificate-level training sites and reduced the number of required hours in the doctor of educational ministry degree.[img_assist|nid=7691|title=New Housing|desc=The new 8-unit, 2-bedroom apartment complex approved by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees will use the same design and floorplan as the new Florida and Mississippi apartment buildings constructed in 2010.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=424] The board approved the construction of a new $1.7 million apartment building for student families. The new building will have eight two-bedroom apartments. News of the new housing comes on the heels of a strong fall enrollment. Seminary President Chuck Kelley said all current student housing units are occupied. Construction of the new building is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 1, 2012 -- just in time for the 2012 fall semester. The apartments will be built debt-free thanks to a donation from a private family foundation based in Louisiana. Kelley said the foundation sent $500,000 check to the seminary … [Read more...]