By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter NEW ORLEANS – At the tender age of 15, Jennifer Rothschild lost her sight and with it, her dream of becoming an artist. Today, she is a wife, mother, author of seven books including Lessons I Learned in the Dark, and shares with others how God transformed her loss. [img_assist|nid=6160|title=Noted author Jennifer Rothschild is the featured speaker at the national womens conference at First Baptist New Orleans|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]Rothschild, who has appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Dr. Phil and The Billy Graham Television Special, is the featured speaker at Fresh Grounded Faith, a national women’s conference to take place April 9-10 at First Baptist Church of New Orleans. Event team member Kathy Frady, known on stage and in ministry as The Creative Dramatist, said the team met Rothschild via satellite months ago. “She is absolutely delightful. You feel like you could sit down and have coffee with her,” Frady said. “She is going to make this conference fun and fulfilling.” The degenerative disease retinitis pigmentosa that took her sight was a devastating blow, but her faith in God helped her view her situation differently, Rothschild told … [Read more...]

By Sarah Hudson, Baptist Message JIMANI, Dominican Republic – A white two-story building stands under a clear blue sky in front of a beautiful backdrop of mountains. A view of a lake that extends from the Dominican Republic and into Haiti can be seen in the distance. Surrounded by all of God’s creation, here stands Good Samaritan Hospital in Jimani, Dominican Republic. [img_assist|nid=6174|title=Members of a medical team gather in front of Good Samaritan Hospital in Haiti|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]Before the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti, Good Samaritan stood empty, but had the possibility of becoming a medical clinic. Just days after the earthquake, Good Samaritan reopened and became a trauma hospital for patients of all ages. Just five days after the quake, International Mission Board missionary Delores York arrived at Good Samaritan with the intention of helping out in whatever ways were needed. After walking in to have a tour of the hospital, she found herself taking on around 30 patients. York crawled on her knees from patient to patient with no blood pressure cuff, thermometer or any other basic medical tool and used her hands to check temperatures, heartbeats and breathing. There were … [Read more...]

By Sarah Hudson, Special to the Baptist Message HAITI – Driving into Croix des Bouquets, Haiti, the streets are lined with rubble from the recent earthquake. Haitians sit in front of their homes trying to continue life as usual. In front of unstable and fallen homes often stands a new makeshift home made of cardboard, tarp, sheets or whatever other material is readily available. Croix des Bouquets is on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince; just a short drive, depending on traffic and the time of the day. Nestled a mile or so off-road, surrounded by Voodoo temples, sits Bethel Mission Outreach orphanage. There are more than 450 Voodoo temples within a five-mile radius of the orphanage, but this does not hinder worship and praise being lifted up to Jesus Christ within the concrete walls of the orphanage. Eight of the fourteen from the Louisiana medical mission team never imagined that they would be working and sleeping within these walls. The original plan was to have the entire team work together at Good Samaritan hospital in Jimani, Dominican Republic, but with the hospital being overstaffed, the team split up to do separate work. As the team arrived on day one at the orphanage they were greeted by David Gunter, a … [Read more...]

"Our first ever LBC Transitions Mission Trip was a great success. The participants "served the Lord with gladness". They worked hard, got to know each other better and conncected with each other. I invite and encourage other youth groups to join us for next year's trip." Steve Masters, Baptist Collegiate Ministries Director at LSU Sarah McAlister, 11th grade “Mission Arlington has been an awesome experience for me, because I got to know people from other youth groups and got to know the people in my youth group better.  I was also truly amazed by the many operations that go on within Mission Arlington and how the people who work there are so on fire for Christ.  The love of God can be seen everywhere throughout the ministry.” Taylor Hallum, Freshman “I really enjoyed the friendships built at Mission Arlington and witnessing God’s blessing on this ministry.  This is such a blessed place, and they truly make the most out of what they’re given.  It’s a very encouraging place.” Alyssa Kimmell, Freshman “I have absolutely loved this trip.  Using this as a Transitions trip has been amazing because I have been able to love on such great juniors and seniors.  Seeing God’s work through Mission Arlington has shown me how God … [Read more...]

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Louisiana Baptist efforts to win the state to Christ will soon get a boost as the North American Mission Board formally launches its GPS evangelism campaign. The 10-year effort, which will be launched about three weeks prior to Easter with a national media campaign, uses multiple media venues. Starting March 15, the media buy resulted in 1,994 television spots across Louisiana and 86 radio spots on WWL – AM 870, New Orleans. In Louisiana, people started seeing as early as February 22, digital billboards across the state displaying the Find it Here – Sharing the Peace of Jesus message. “Find it Here 30-second television spots are showing all over our grand state of Louisiana,” said John Yeats, communications director for the Louisiana Baptist Convention.  “By cooperation with the North American Mission Board, our local Louisiana Baptist associations and the Louisiana Baptist Convention, we are providing the gospel air cover. “This cooperative strategy has tremendous potential,” Yeats continued. “While the media coverage is taking place, our churches are on the ground prayerwalking and then following up with an invitation to our Easter events.” Every television set in the state with either cable, … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Message Staff Writer COVINGTON – A 13-member medical team has helped to usher in a new era for the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Disaster Relief Ministry. Established and trained in February 2010 in response to the earthquake in Haiti, the team, which included five doctors and four RNs in its makeup, is a first for the state. Drawn from the four corners of the state – Covington, Bogalusa, Shreveport, West Monroe, Lafayette and Morrow, the team was divided into two – medical and visitation. The medical team spent a busy, but productive nine days in Haiti, as they saw 1,482 patients – more than 350 in one day. The church visitation team went to 15 churches, more than 100 homes, and between the two teams 77 people were led to Christ. “They truly set the bar high for other medical teams,” said Gibbie McMillan, the LBC’s Men’s Ministry and Volunteer Strategist and, director of disaster relief. “The people on this team responded with the heart of a servant and served the hurting humanity of Haiti in ways they will not forget. “It is in times like these that I realize how important disaster relief work is to the body of Christ,” McMillan said. Jay Johnston, the team’s chaplain and associate pastor at … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA – Baptist Temple: B.A.L.L. Club Easter Parade 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 22; James Sample, pastor. ALEXANDRIA – Parkview Baptist: Children’s Easter Egg Hunt 10 a.m. Saturday, April 3; David Shaw, pastor. BAKER – First Baptist: Easter play “The Day He Wore My Crown,” 7 p.m. Saturday, April 3; 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 4; Jay Avance, pastor. BERNICE – Pisgah Baptist: Easter Egg Hunt 4 p.m. Sunday, March 28; Jerry Dark, pastor. BOGALUSA – Memorial Baptist: Easter Egg Hunt 10 a.m. Saturday, March 27; Brian Kershaw, pastor. BOGALUSA – Westside Baptist: Handbells Concert 6 p.m. Sunday, March 21; Children’s Musical “A Tale of Three Trees” 6 p.m. Sunday, March 28; Marcus H. Rosa, pastor. DEQUINCY – First Baptist: Children’s Easter Egg Stravaganza 4 p.m. Sunday, March 28; Rob Walls, pastor. DERIDDER – First Baptist: Celebration Choir and Orchestra present “What a Difference One Day Makes” 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 4; Lindsey Burns, pastor. DEVILLE – Longview Baptist: Easter Egg Hunt following worship and lunch Sunday, March 28; Robby Poole, pastor. HODGE – Hodge Baptist: Passover and Seder Meal, Thursday, April 1; Remembering the Crucifixion Friday, April 2; Day of Silence, Saturday, April 3; Celebration … [Read more...]

COMINGS & GOINGS Van Edwards (wife Paula), new as pastor at Parkview Baptist, Shreveport Mitchell Rousse, new as minister of music at First Baptist, Morgan City. Mike Boone, new as minister of music at Fairview Baptist, Coushatta. Daniel Martin, new as associate pastor of youth at New River Baptist, St. Amant. NEEDED Full-time or bi-vocational pastor at First Baptist, Waterproof; send resume to First Baptist Church, PO Box 425, Waterproof, LA 71375 or contact James Lentz 318.282.3564, jlentz@spamcop.net. AVAILABLE Roger Whittington for supply; email rl.cwhittington@centurytel.net John O. Moffett for supply, interim pastor, revivals; contact at 226 Rio Hondo, Sulphur, LA 70663; call 337.625.6617 or 337.884.2187. REVIVALS OAK GROVE – First Baptist: 10:25 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, March 21; Monday, March 22 through Wednesday, March 24; Wayne Jenkins, evangelist; Danny Terrall, music; Carl Gulde, pastor. PINEVILLE – Trinity Baptist: 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, March 21; 7 p.m. Monday, March 22 through Wednesday, March 24; Jack Daniels, evangelist; Mark Lanier, music; Darryl Hoychick, pastor. SAREPTA – New Sarepta Baptist: Thursday and Friday, March 25-26; Jack Daniels, evangelist; The Lisembys, music; Mike … [Read more...]

MONROE – Churches of five Louisiana Baptist associations have an opportunity to share with the boys and girls of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home by participating in the Home’s annual egg collection. “The Children’s Home is gearing up for its annual egg hunt and we are confident we’ll find lots of eggs in the churches of Beauregard, Vernon, Sabine, North Sabine and DeSoto Baptist Associations,” said Perry Hancock, president and CEO of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. For over 60 years, churches in these associations have gathered fresh eggs prior to Easter. The Children’s Home van is set to collect the eggs at 21 scheduled stops. Dates for the egg pickup are Monday and Tuesday, March 22-23. Churches scheduled for pickups in the Vernon Association include Simpson Baptist Monday, March 22 at 10 a.m. followed by pickups at Slagle Baptist, Castor Baptist, East Leesville Baptist, First Baptist Leesville, Cooper Baptist, and First Baptist Anacoco. Other Monday pickups are set for Beauregard Association at First Baptist Rosepine, Magnolia Baptist Ragley and First Baptist DeRidder. Sabine Association pickups also set for Monday are First Baptist Hornbeck, First Baptist Florien, Alford Heights Baptist Many and First … [Read more...]

By Erin Roach, Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--The Cooperative Program is the greatest missions funding mechanism in the history of Christendom and must be supported by sacrificial giving, Morris H. Chapman said in his final address to the Executive Committee in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 22. “The Cooperative Program is a highly valued resource for missions, ministries and theological education,” said Chapman, who has announced his plans to retire as Executive Committee president in September. Southern Baptists’ combined giving results in 86 percent of every dollar received for national causes going to the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board, Chapman said. This includes all Cooperative Program gifts, mission offerings and designated offerings to SBC entities. “We can rejoice in the 86 percent that is being given to our mission boards from all the combined offerings that come to the Southern Baptist Convention,” Chapman said. The remaining 14 percent is used to support theological education in six seminaries, as well as the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and facilitating ministries (SBC operating budget). The Southern Baptist Convention has a need for “highly respected … [Read more...]