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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Atlanta’s Cochran headlines Men’s Freedom Weekend

SHREVEPORT – Kevin Cochran, the Atlanta, Ga., fire chief known for his termination over a book he wrote calling homosexual behavior immoral will be the keynote speaker at a men’s conference this weekend. Hosted by Willow Point Baptist Church, the Men’s Freedom Weekend will feature Cochran who will speak on the freedom he has found in the fire of adversity. Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed fired Cochran on Jan. 6 following publication of his book. Cochran spent his childhood in Shreveport and is a deacon, Sunday school teacher and Bible study leader at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta. Elizabeth Baptist Church is a member of the Georgia Baptist Convention. The conference, which is free to those attending, starts at 6:50 pm on Friday with the first session featuring Cochran, who also will speak on Saturday. The conference on Saturday begins at 7:30 am with a breakfast and ends at noon. In addition to Cochran’s messages, Broken Vessels of Deridder will lead music. “The purpose of this event is not political in anyway whatsoever,” said Billy Stevens, pastor of Willow Point Baptist. “It is all about Jesus. The content is about Freedom in Christ and helping men find true Freedom in knowing the power of the Gospel, so bring a friend … [Read more...]

National Day of Prayer Proclamation

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signs a proclamation for the National Day of Prayer. Also pictured, from left to right, are Rick and Sarah Lowe, South Central regional coordinators for the National Day of Prayer; Lisa Crump, senior director for prayer mobilization for the National Day of Prayer; Jay Johnston, associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Covington and Louisiana state coordinator for the National Day of Prayer; and Mary Johnston – a student at LSU and no relation to Jay Johnston. … [Read more...]

4 Wheels 4 Him format change helps to expand annual event

KENTWOOD – Start your engines! No, it’s not the start of a NASCAR race but participants at the upcoming 4 Wheels 4 Him: Car Show and Spring Fest will hear those words on May 2 at New Zion Baptist Church in Kentwood. The day’s activities include music, door prizes, jumper houses, BB-guns, bows and arrows and more. Sharing a testimony is Bart Vandrell, who has won the Auto-rama’s World of Wheels at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Vandrell is a member of First Baptist Church in Pearl River. The 4 Wheels 4 Him format is different from past years, when four-wheelers were the centerpiece. Gibbie McMillan, men’s ministry director for Louisiana Baptists, said the format change was because the timber company no longer allowed use of their land for this purpose. “So rather than cancel the event totally , we just changed some of the activities and now we will have the car show and games for the children to participate in such as learning to correctly shoot and handle a BB gun and shoot a bow and arrow,” McMillan said. “There will be several different musical groups performing throughout the day, lunch will be served, and door prizes will be given away.” Registration for the event is at 8 am, with festivities kicking off at 9 … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists’ CP giving provides strong start for 2015

ALEXANDRIA – Louisiana Baptists have positioned themselves for a strong and potentially fruitful 2015 according to Louisiana Baptists Executive Director David Hankins. “As a whole, Louisiana Baptists continue to believe in and support our cooperative approach to missions and ministries in Louisiana and beyond,” said Hankins. “I am blessed and encouraged by the faithfulness of God’s people and God’s churches.” Louisiana Baptists finished the first quarter of missions and ministry in 2015 with a 3.63percent increase in Cooperative Program gifts versus 2014. CP gifts received January through March of 2015 totaled $5,522,569.46 which is 6 percent ahead of the year-to-date budget. Hankins believes the strong first quarter giving report is an indication that churches are affirming their desire to work together for the sake of the Great Commission and the 2020 challenge to strengthen our efforts for the cause of Christ. “I can assure Louisiana Baptists the Children’s Home, Louisiana College, State Missions Services and other Louisiana Baptists enterprises appreciate the faithfulness of the churches and will wisely utilize these gifts in the days ahead as each carries out their ministry assignments,” Hankins said. CP gifts fuel … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

ON THE MOVE Titus Terrebonne new as associate pastor at South Lafourche Baptist Church. Preston Young new as pastor of First Baptist Church, Castor. Brad McCandless new as pastor at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Quitman. Everett Geis, Sr., new as interim past at First Baptist Church, Ringgold. Lonnie Cook has resigned as Pastor of Carroll Baptist Church, Walker. Andy Granger new as song leader at New Bethlehem Baptist Church, Denham Springs. HOMECOMING First Baptist Church, Cameron: 75th anniversary, April 18, service at 11 a.m. followed by dinner on the grounds.  Former members and pastors are invited to attend.  For more information, call 337.764.3352. REVIVAL Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville: RESCUE, a revival for the family, April 12-14. Evangelist: Josh McDowell. Worship: Casey Darnell. Pastor: Philip Robertson. First Baptist Church, Natchitoches: Revival – Life Action Thirst Conference, April 12-15. Sunday, 9:30 a.m. worship service, 11 a.m. Combined Sunday School for adults and youth in the sanctuary, 6:30 p.m. worship service. Monday-Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. worship service. Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. there will be a ladies luncheon. The Life Action conference at First Baptist will help people to slow down, examine their … [Read more...]

Coteau Baptist Church showing ‘A Matter of Faith’ on April 18

HOUMA – Coteau Baptist Church is hosting a movie that disproves evolution while raising money for its summer associational mission trip at the same time. “A Matter of Faith” is about a Christian female college student whose Biology professor influences her through his teaching that evolution is the answer of the origin of life. Her father learns of the situation and agrees to debate her professor. Coteau Baptist will show the film on April 18 at 1 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm at 2066 Coteau Road in Houma. The price of admission is $5. Patrons can purchase concessions during all three showtimes. Proceeds from concessions will go toward the Bayou Baptist Association’s mission trip to Philadelphia, Miss. Scheduled for mid-July, the association is hoping to take 100 people to participate in two sports camps, construction projects and nightly revivals. Wayne Hunt, pastor of Coteau Baptist, said to the best of his knowledge, no other church in Louisiana is hosting a showing of the movie, though other movie theaters are doing so. Hunt said the local theater in Houma was not interested in showing the movie, so the company that produced the film asked if Coteau would be interested. Coteau has an HD projector used in movie theaters along with a … [Read more...]

Angola expanding NOBTS extension center building

Submitted by philip on Fri, 03/06/2015 - 09:12 Beyond the walls of Angola, other prisons have adopted programs similar to the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary extension center at Angola. The inmate students meet in a classroom such as this one on the prison grounds. So far, prisons in 11 other states have adopted the program used at Angola. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ANGOLA – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is running out of room at its extension center building at the Louisiana State Penitentiary and is expanding. Since early February, construction has been ongoing for the Joan Horner Center of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. A concrete slab was poured and two weeks later inmates began their 24-hour, six days a week work on the 11,000-sq.-ft building, made possible by a $300,000 donation. Warden Burl Cain said when the building is dedicated with a target date of April 18, to coincide with the weekend of the Angola Rodeo, it will provide much needed breathing room for what has become a growing program and cramped workspace for the seminary students there. “What Louisiana Baptists have done is sustain the seminary which has changed lives, so thank you Louisiana Baptists,” … [Read more...]

It’s time for participants to register for annual revival at Angola

ANGOLA – The annual revival at the Louisiana State Penitentiary is several months away but those wanting to participate in evangelistic efforts there must register by March 25. Every year, around 150 Louisiana Baptists participate in the opportunity to share the gospel with the 6,000 men, one-on-one, who are in the facility. Worship services also are scheduled to take place in the camp chapels on the prison grounds. This year’s revival begins at 3 pm on Friday, April 10 and ends at 3 pm on Saturday, April 11. Dinner on Friday and breakfast and lunch are provided on Saturday. Housing is provided as well in the state police training facility on the grounds to the first 100 men who turn in their Department of Correction clearance forms to the Louisiana Baptists Evangelism Office. Women may attend the worship services but cannot participate in the personal evangelism efforts in the camps. In addition, women must obtain housing in an area hotel. Everyone must complete a new Department of Corrections clearance form, even if participants turned in one last year. Forms must be emailed to Dianne.York@LouisianaBaptists.org or faxed to Dianne York’s attention by Feb. 25 to 318.445.0055. Anyone attending the revival should review the … [Read more...]

Warden Burl Cain mulling possible run for governor

Submitted by philip on Fri, 03/06/2015 - 09:16 Since Burl Cain became warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola in 1995, violence inside the prison has decreased by 85 percent. Of the 6,300 who are inmates at Angola, nearly 50 percent are thought to be Christians. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer St. Francisville – Burl Cain, who is the longest-serving warden of any prison in the U.S. and in the history of Angola itself, is mulling over the possibility of running for governor. His name has been mentioned by some in the state as a possible candidate but Cain has yet to committ to whether he will or not. Signs in support of his potential candidacy can be found around Louisiana and the Facebook page “We Want Warden Burl Cain La Governor 2015” has garnered nearly 1,700 likes so far. He said that April 15 is the latest date he would make a decision on whether or not to run. Cain said he has not received an answer from God but is praying about the decision. And he asks for Louisiana Baptists to pray for him as well. “It’s important to serve Him and look for His blessing and direction,” Cain said. “When you are not in God’s will, disaster occurs. No answer would mean I didn’t get an answer and I would … [Read more...]

Platt unveils ‘reset’ of IMB strategy, structure to trustees

Submitted by philip on Fri, 03/06/2015 - 09:19 In this graphic, IMB President David Platt outlined his organizational plan for Christians and churches to be mobilized to take the gospel to unreached people. IMB trustees adopted the plan during their meeting Feb. 25 in Houston. By Anne Harmon, Baptist Press HOUSTON (BP) – International Mission Board President David Platt proposed streamlining the mission agency’s strategy and structure – in keeping with his desire for IMB to exalt Christ and work more effectively toward accomplishing the Great Commission – during IMB’s Feb. 24-25 trustee meeting in Houston. Trustees unanimously voted to approve the plan. “We want to empower limitless missionary teams to make disciples and multiply churches among unreached people,” Platt said. “We need a strategy that doesn’t cap our number of missionaries merely based upon how much money we have.” Platt noted the IMB operated “in the red” last year, with the agency’s operating expenses exceeding income by nearly $21 million. “Right now our funnel is really small ... such that we’re turning people away,” Platt said. “And what I’m saying, what we know, is that we need to blow open this funnel and create as many pathways as possible … [Read more...]