Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:19 A large crowd of 1,430 filled the gym at New Zion Baptist Church in Covington for the 2nd Annual Blessing of the Hunt, which was sponsored by the LBC’s Men’s Ministry, North Shore Baptist Association and six area churches. By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor COVINGTON – As any hunter knows, the key to a successful hunt depends on planning, finding the right location, using the proper equipment, and having plenty of patience. Oh, OK, maybe there’s a little luck [blessing] involved as well. The 2nd Annual Blessing of the Hunt, sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Men’s Ministry, North Shore Baptist Association, First Baptist Church in Folsom, Red Bluff Baptist Church, Bogue Falaya Baptist Church, Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church, and New Zion Baptist Church, had all of the above in addition to some great food, door prizes, and program. The above combination proved a winner as attendance at New Zion Baptist Church for the Sept. 19 event was 1,430. More importantly, though, by evening’s end there were 91 recorded professions of faith. “It was such a huge success and a real blessing for all involved,” New Zion Pastor Clark Stewart said. “We drew a lot of people from … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:21 Pastors Conference President Roy Davis By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Pastors and others attending this year’s Louisiana Baptist Pastors Conference will be encouraged to become more than conquerors. Scheduled for Nov. 10-11 at First Baptist Church Pineville, the 25th annual Pastors Conference theme is “More Than Conquerors,” based on Romans 8:35-37. “Everybody needs encouragement,” said Roy Davis, president of the Pastors Conference and pastor of North Shreve Baptist Church in Shreveport. “I’m having more preachers than are generally scheduled for the purpose of giving more encouragement to the pastors.” The conference will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 with music by  First Baptist Church Pineville Worship team to be followed by the Southern gospel group Three Bridges from Nashville, Tenn. later that evening. Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director David Hankins will then preach the first sermon of the Pastors Conference. Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter, who also serves as pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, will close out the conference with his sermon to begin around 3 p.m. Other Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:26 First Lafayette Pastor Steve Horn will allow his name to be placed in nomination for LBC President By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor Why have you agreed to allow your nomination for convention president?   Obviously, I think anytime a person decides to be involved in something like this, the person should have peace in his heart and be able to say that he has sensed the will of God in the matter. I honestly can say that I have both peace from God and a sense of God’s blessing in allowing my nomination. On a practical level, multiple people throughout Louisiana have asked me to consider allowing my nomination. While I was president of the Executive Board in 2010-11, I was privileged to meet so many from every corner of Louisiana. I love Louisiana. I do not want to live or serve any other place. Because I love Louisiana, I want and am deeply committed to Louisiana knowing Jesus. In addition, our church is deeply rooted in the work of the Convention through our giving to the Cooperative Program, and as a result, we should desire to be as involved as we possibly can in the decisions of the Convention.   If elected, what will be your primary focus as convention … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:29 Stewart Holloway, pastor First Baptist Church Pineville By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer A native of Lecompte, Holloway has spent more than half of his ministerial career in Louisiana. In addition to First Baptist Church Pineville, other Louisiana churches he has served include Pine Grove in Ruby as minister of youth and First Baptist Lecompte as minister of music. Holloway also has served on staff of several Texas churches, including Forestburg Baptist Church as pastor before he was called to First Baptist Pineville. He holds degrees from Louisiana College in Pineville and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Holloway and his wife, Rebecca, have two sons, Zachary and Evan. Active in Louisiana Baptist life, Holloway has served as moderator of North Rapides Baptist Association, chair of the Teller’s Committee and alternate convention sermon preacher at this year’s LBC annual meeting. PINEVILLE – Stewart Holloway will be nominated as president of the Pastors Conference, according to Lewis Richerson, pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. The pastor of First Baptist Church Pineville, Holloway said if elected he will look forward to … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Ray Rainey new Senior Adult Minister at Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge from First Baptist Church, Bossier City. Thomas Aaron Chapman ordained into the Gospel Ministry on Oct. 20 at Red Oak Baptist Church, Livingston. Pastor: Alan Moak. Jerry Poston, who previously served as pastor of First Baptist Church Mandeville and was the former Director of Missions for Two Rivers, Washington and William Wallace Associations, passed away October 21 at the age of 89.   REVIVAL/HOMECOMING Epps Baptist Church: Homecoming Service, Nov. 10, 10:30 p.m. followed by fellowship and lunch. Speaker: Pat Lofton. Music: Epps Baptist Church choir. Pastor: Johnny Smith. Rose Park Baptist Shreveport: Revival Nov. 10-13, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday. Evangelist: Len Turner. Calvary Baptist Church, Forest Hill: Old-fashioned tent Revival Nov. 11-15, 6:30 p.m. Worship: Lewis and Lewis. Pastor: Brandon Gill. First Baptist Church, Jonesboro: Revival, Nov. 17-20. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.. Evangelist: Gary Bowlin. Music: Russ Givens. Pastor: Charles Wesley. Reeves Baptist Church, Reeves: A Friend Weekend, Nov. 17 at 9:30 a.m. Speaker: David Hanna. Lunch will follow … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, LBF Communications Tax law extensions have been the norm for the past 7 years for as many as 50 different tax provisions on a one to two year basis. One of these key provisions that benefits donors and charitable organizations alike has been the Public Good IRA Rollover Act. This allows an individual to donate money from their IRA directly to a charitable organization without receiving the distribution as taxable income. The provision first appeared as part of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and recently reinstated in the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.  However without further legislative action this provision will expire at the end of 2013. Individuals age 70 ½ and above can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) up to $100k directly from an IRA to a charitable organization, including the donor’s church or another ministry organization.  Here are other details: • Donations will count toward the donor’s minimum distribution requirements (MRD). • Donations from IRA’s are not used to calculate percentage limitations of adjusted gross income (AGI). • Donor must instruct the IRA custodian/manager to transfer the funds directly to a charitable non-profit organization. • Must be an outright gift … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:34 By Jerry Love, LBF Communications ALEXANDRIA – In a recent conversation, a prospective donor asked what happens to the donations given to the Louisiana Baptist Foundation. The answer was a bit of a surprise: “Whatever you tell us to do with it.” The Foundation exists to help people make gifts in support of their church or other Baptist entities and ministries in the state and around the world.  That answer is a bit cold and sterile, so let’s put it another way: The Louisiana Baptist Foundation helps people give to whatever is tugging on their heart-strings.   Heart-String Giving!   If you come by the Foundation office you won’t see young students receiving a Christian education, nor will you find children from difficult circumstances being cared for or families being counseled. You won’t see people traveling to far reaches of the world to share the Gospel and you won’t see churches under construction or renovation. You won’t physically see these things taking place in our office and yet the LBF has been involved in assisting Baptists (and a few from other denominations) in supporting these ministries and many more.  Here are some examples of how … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, LBF Communications As the end of another calendar year approaches you may find yourself with a desire to give to a specific ministry or perhaps the need for a tax deduction. Consider these ideas which accomplish both supporting a Gospel-based ministry and reducing your income tax liability.   Gift of Your Property Do you have CDs, stocks or bonds that are producing little or no return? Why not make a gift of these low-performing assets to benefit your church, and receive a charitable deduction? You can also give your real estate, art or other property. Please call us to learn the amount of taxes you might be able to save for a gift of these and other assets.   Gift of Your Property for Income If you are looking for income in the future, why not make a gift of your property to fund a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust? Your property can be sold tax-free, and you may receive income for the rest of your life. With a charitable gift annuity, this income is fixed so there is the possibility that some of your payment will be tax-free.   Future Property Gift The benefit of charitable giving is that there are gifts everyone can make. If you don’t want to give your stock or real … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:39 Paul Daily of Wild Horse Ministries in Trout, works in the ring with an untamed horse during a demonstration. Daily, who is a part of this year’s annual CrossOver, uses training sessions to illustrate the gospel and man’s fallen condition and redemption. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer CENTRAL LOUISIANA – Horses, popcorn and bikes are being used to reach thousands of people with the gospel this week in Grant and Rapides parishes. The evangelistic effort known as CrossOver, which precedes the Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting that starts Monday at the Alexandria Riverfront Center, is incorporating a variety of events such as an extreme bicycle team, block parties and taming of a wild horse presentation. Robert Daniel, director of missions for Big Creek, Central Louisiana and North Rapides associations, said planning for CrossOver began in April. Since then, the steering committee has handled much of the logistics, including enlisting volunteers from among the 95 Louisiana Baptist churches that are members of the three associations where Daniel is director of missions. “First and foremost, CrossOver’s reason for existing is to provide an experience and … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/18/2013 - 10:14 Outgoing LBC President Waylon Bailey stresses a point while giving his president’s report Monday evening at the LBC Annual Meeting. Bailey challenged Louisiana Baptists to engage future generations and reverse a trend of declining baptisms among the younger generation, especially children. By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA – Louisiana Baptists, the opportunity to seize the moment is now. That was the challenge issued by Louisiana Baptist Convention President Waylon Bailey as he gave his report to messengers at the 166th annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Nov. 11-12 in Alexandria. “Our audience, avenues and actions must change to engage the lostness in this state,” Bailey said. “Let me tell you why. Of my mother’s generation, 65 percent said they were followers of Jesus Christ. In my grandchildren’s generation only 15 percent profess faith in Jesus. This is very disturbing to me as it should be to you all. “Certainly, we could try and reach people who look like us,” he continued, “but the Bible commands us to reach all men. That is why this commission’s work was so very important.” Last year in West Monroe, Bailey, with the approval of the … [Read more...]