With the help of 21 other churches and at least 92 volunteers, East Ridge Baptist Church conducted a day-long block party Saturday, Nov. 11, at Crying Eagle FEMA Park, bringing smiles to hundreds of residents displaced from their homes by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. LAKE CHARLES — With the help of 21 other churches and at least 92 volunteers, East Ridge Baptist Church conducted a day-long block party Saturday, Nov. 11, at Crying Eagle FEMA Park, bringing smiles to hundreds of residents displaced from their homes by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. “You couldn’t escape the gospel out there yesterday,” Weishampel told his congregation Sunday morning, including eight from Crying Eagle who’d caught the East Ridge van to church that morning. “You’re the reason we did what we did,” Weishampel told Amanda Marshal, a park resident who became a member at East Ridge on Sunday morning by profession of faith.  “God has many wonderful things in store for you but this is the best: all of your sins are forgiven.” Later, Weishampel addressed Southern Baptists at their annual meeting on Monday, Nov. 13. “Our church could not afford it,” said Alan Weishampel of the block party. “You paid the … [Read more...]

Thankfully, the founders of the United States were literate. Thankfully, the founders of the United States were literate. If they had been unable to commit their thoughts to writing, the rabid secularists that now infest our nation would have already succeeded in erasing the significant role Christianity played in America’s founding. There is no more poignant reminder of our religious heritage than the national holiday of Thanksgiving. Some historians try to deny the religious motivation for the Pilgrims’ voyage to the New World. However, upon reading the thoughts of these brave adventurers there is no doubt as to why they left family and friends to undertake such a difficult and dangerous journey. As they prepared to leave their ships and set foot on dry land, the Pilgrims drafted and signed the Mayflower Compact. In part, it reads: “In the name of God, Amen, We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God ... Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony....” Given the context in which the Mayflower … [Read more...]

Baptists are a peculiar people. We insist that one make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We insist that they be baptized before they can join our church. And, yet, some of us insist upon nothing else once they’re members. By Peter Beck LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--Baptists are a peculiar people. We insist that one make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We insist that they be baptized before they can join our church. And, yet, some of us insist upon nothing else once they’re members. Equally peculiar is the fact that we Baptists claim to be a “people of the book,” putting the Bible before all else when it comes to defining and defending our faith. Yet, we ignore its teaching on church membership. The writer of Hebrews paints a clear picture of what God expects of His children in His church. “And let us be concerned one about another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Notice the three privileges/benefits that we enjoy as members of the church. 1) We are to promote … [Read more...]

As the season fades from Thanksgiving to Christmas, two entities in Louisiana need help to finish strong. MONROE and OBERLIN – As the season fades from Thanksgiving to Christmas, two entities in Louisiana need help to finish strong: Additional Christmas gifts are needed for youngsters at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Seller’s Maternity Home; Finishing work  and landscaping needs to be done at the Oberlin Baptist Church construction site. “Christmas is an important time in the lives of the children at the Home,” said LCBH spokesman Darrell Washam. “For many, the gifts they receive from Christmas sponsors will be the only gifts they receive for Christmas. It is important for us to show them that they are worthy of our love.” The deadline for requesting children to sponsor at Christmas was Oct. 31, and all the children did receive a sponsor, Washam said. The problem is that some people give perhaps 10 or 12 gifts to a child, while others give just two or three. “We always need miscellaneous gifts,” Washam said. “Some children don’t get as many as the others, and some [sponsors] fall through the cracks.” Open House at the Children’s Home is Dec. 21. That’s when … [Read more...]

The ministry teams at the Louisiana Baptist Convention explained during their reports at the annual meeting how they serve the churches. LAKE CHARLES – The ministry teams at the Louisiana Baptist Convention explained during their reports at the annual meeting how they serve the churches. The Executive Board has planned a  multi-year missions renewal emphasis called “Empowering Kingdom Growth-Louisiana” designed to address spiritual renewal, Acts 1:8 mission strategy and stewardship/Cooperative Program education. About 50 churches are involved in a pilot project as the emphasis is fine-tuned to be as effective as possible in Louisiana churches. The Baptist Collegiate Ministry team played musical chairs over the last  year. John Moore, who had built the program over the last 30 years, retired to a consultancy with LifeWay Christian Resources. Mark Robinson, a BCM director at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, moved to the state director position. Todd Strain took Robinson’s position, which left his at McNeese University vacant. Keith Cating, moved from New Orleans to McNeese,  his alma mater. John Shaffner began a BCM at Southeastern; Reginald Alford did the same thing at … [Read more...]

For the first time in memory, 10 churches in this part of Southwest, Louisiana united to present a gift to their community. SULPHUR – For the first time in memory, 10 churches in this part of Southwest, Louisiana united to present a gift to their community. It was a five-day crusade led by Team Impact, a group of evangelistic bodybuilders affiliated with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. About 1,100 people attended the evangelistic performances each night, and 529 people made professions of faith, organizers said. “From the beginning we prayed there would be a holy buzz,” said David Holder, pastor of First Sulphur, to those who gathered Monday night at Trinity Baptist in Lake Charles for the annual meeting of Louisiana Southern Baptists. “Every pastor in West Calcasieu agreed to be a part of the effort.” The event was only the beginning and a template for what the Spirit can do in Southwest Louisiana, the First Sulphur pastor said. Garren and Grayson Benoit, students in the Sulphur area who saw a Team Impact performance at their school, begged their parents, Russell and Rhonda, to attend Friday night’s Team Impact event. The brothers are two of the 529 who accepted … [Read more...]

From a hand-made choo-choo train big enough to ride on at Bethel Metropolitan Baptist, to a 1930 Model A Ford restored to pristine condition at Westside Baptist in Moss Bluff, Crossover Lake Charles had something for everyone. LAKE CHARLES – From a hand-made choo-choo train big enough to ride on at Bethel Metropolitan Baptist, to a 1930 Model A Ford restored to pristine condition at Westside Baptist in Moss Bluff, Crossover Lake Charles had something for everyone. The events that preceded the Pastors Conference and annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention included the evangelistic Team Impact, an awareness-raising rally at McNeese  University, and distribution of the Campus Crusade for Christ’s Jesus film on video in the Grand Lake/Sweet Lake area, in addition to three block parties – the two mentioned above and at Crying Eagle FEMA trailer park. “We were able to cover all but one of the areas we wanted [for the Jesus film distribution], and that was the one furthest separated from the others,” said J.P. Miles, Carey Baptist Association director of missions. “That was about 540 to 580 homes in what essentially is a couple of villages that have grown together.” Two dozen people … [Read more...]

Potpourri WEST MONROE – New Chapel Hill church:  “Earl and Jane Williams Day” special service honoring Earl and Jane Williams, IBM missionaries; Nov. 26, 10:45 a.m.; Charles Dupree, pastor. ALEXANDRIA – Homewood church:  The Mackie Willis Family in concert; Nov. 26, evening service; Mackie Willis guest speaking in morning service; everyone invited; Jimmy Koonce, pastor. Christmas Programs JENA – First church:  “One Small Child” musical; Dec. 3, 6 p.m.; Todd Rogers, minister of music; Dominick D. DiCarlo, Jr., pastor. ZACHARY – First church:  “Christmas is Forever” musical; Dec. 10, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Billy Causey, minister of worship; Reggie Bridges, pastor. SULPHUR – First church:  “Miracle on Main Street” musical presented by Musical Mondays; Dec. 3, 6 p.m. with fellowship to follow; “Wondrous Gift” musical presented by worship choir; Dec. 10, 6 p.m.; Donald Dukes, minister of praise/worship; David Holder, pastor. MONROE – North Monroe church:  “The Living Christmas Tree” presented by the children’s choir; Dec. 3, 6 p.m.; Kenneth Clark, minister to children; David McCormick, minister of music; Bill H. Dye, pastor. BATON ROUGE – Jefferson church:  “Twin Living Christmas … [Read more...]

RINGGOLD – Springhill Baptist honored members age 75 and more with a recent “Greatest Generation” service. As each member’s name was called, he/she was presented with a rose and a bit of his/her history was read. Dinner was served for them, family and friends. Dorothy Kennedy and Anne Flint were instrumental in preparing the event, Pastor Gary Hahler reported. ST. FRANCISVILLE – The 13-week Financial Peace University is to start at First St. Francisville in January. Joe Ratcliff is pastor. Because of construction, the church has cancelled its Live Nativity this year only. MONROE – North Monroe Baptist, where Bill Dye is pastor, also plans to start Financial Peace University in January. To date, $6,179 has been received at North Monroe for the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering. STATEWIDE – Nearly every church newsletter is promoting Operation Christmas Child, the filling of shoeboxes for the Samaritan’s Purse ministry. Please let the Message know your total of shoeboxes via phone – 318-442-7728 – or email: news@baptistmessage.com. TIOGA – The Near and Far Challenge is an end of the year evangelism/missions project for Faith Tioga emailed from Pastor … [Read more...]

One new Southern Baptist missionary knows the fears and anxiety of being in a foreign land, unable to speak the language. By Shawn Hendricks Baptist Press CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (BP)--One new Southern Baptist missionary knows the fears and anxiety of being in a foreign land, unable to speak the language. “My discomfort and feeling of helplessness gave me a taste of God’s power and glory in my weakness,” said the man from Tampa, Fla., who remembers his first volunteer mission trip to Bulgaria in 2001. He and his wife overcame their fears and are headed to an undisclosed location in the Pacific Rim region. They were two of 67 new Southern Baptist missionaries appointed Oct. 31 at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The event, which drew a crowd of about 2,000, brings the total number of IMB missionaries to nearly 5,200. It was part of Missouri Baptist Convention’s annual meeting and the International Mission Board’s trustee meeting held in St. Louis. SBC President Frank Page, pastor of First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C., spoke briefly during the service. He challenged the missionaries to “remember who you are.” It’s a challenge Page said he often gave his children as they left … [Read more...]