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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

ECON 2020 speakers rally Louisiana Baptists to share the Gospel

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE (LBM) — Speakers ranging from state leaders to national personalities to a former Navy SEAL rallied Louisiana Baptists to join the fight to share the Gospel during ECON 2020, held at the First Baptist Church, Lafayette, January 27-28. HUNT: JUST ONE Johnny Hunt shared a simple solution he believes can reverse a continuous decline in baptisms throughout the Southern Baptist Convention. If just 10 percent of the convention’s average Sunday morning worship attendance of 5.2 million people would reach just one person, the SBC would double their baptisms and baptize more individuals than they have in any single year since its founding, Hunt said during the Who’s Your One Tour stop, Sunday, Jan. 26, at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. “I believe we can turn this around,” said Hunt, senior vice president of evangelism and leadership for the North American Mission Board. “I believe that with all my heart. It can happen.” Hunt said in John 1, Andrew shared the Gospel with his brother, Peter. Likewise, Christ followers today should introduce their family members and friends to Jesus. “Family oftentimes tells family how to get saved,” he said. “And friends … [Read more...]

Simpson builds membership, facilities

By Message Staff SIMPSON (LBM) – Simpson Baptist Church held a groundbreaking ceremony, Feb. 2, to celebrate the beginning of construction on a new multi-purpose facility that will serve future generations. Interim Pastor John Hebert, who also is Louisiana Baptists missions and ministry team director, told the Baptist Message that the new facility will ensure the church has adequate space to meet the needs of a growing congregation. Since Hebert became pastor in 2018, Sunday morning worship attendance has increased from 60 to 120. “The new building will put the church in a great position to grow even more and equip them to expand their Gospel reach into the community,” Hebert said. “We are praying that Louisiana Baptists will join us in helping build for their future.” Once complete, the 11,100-square-foot facility will include worship space to accommodate 224 people and education space. Under the direction of Mike Shumock, who serves as Louisiana Baptist missions builder strategist, a Baptist Builders construction team will begin work on the proposed building in February with the opening planned for the fall. To learn more about volunteering with the Baptist Builders on the project, call 225.975.0848. … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@ baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Ken Gordon is the new pastor at Beulah Baptist Church, Cheneyville. Seth (wife Joy) Whorton is the new music minister at Cypress Baptist Church, Benton. Shelby Thomas is the new youth pastor at Bethel Baptist, Carthage, Texas from Bethany Baptist, Bethany. Brent Shoalmire is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Eunice from Red River Baptist Church, Benton. Matt Duff resigns as worship pastor at First Baptist Church, Vidalia. Phil Smith is the new music minister at Bethel Baptist Church, Bastrop. Zack Bennett is the new pastor at Evans Creek, Pearl River HOMECOMING First Baptist Church, Shreveport: 175th Anniversary, February 23, Speaker: Joel Gregory. Activities will include a banquet Friday evening, mission projects on Saturday morning, and a worship service Sunday morning. For … [Read more...]

How can I do things that matter?

By Waylon Bailey James Clear is a favorite writer. He has written about the power of habits and how you develop those powerful habits. Recently he wrote about adding value to other people. He said that before you ask for value you must give value to others. This fits many areas of life. My blog tomorrow will expound on this idea and how it applies to Scripture and to us. Today, I want to talk about productivity and time management with something James Clear said in the same article. “The fastest way to raise your level of performance: Cut your number of commitments in half.” Almost all of us are asking, “How can I do the things that really matter?” Obviously, we first have to ask, “What really matters?” This is a great life lesson and life exercise. Certainly, your family, livelihood, and faith would fit in these areas. What else should fit, and what shouldn’t fit? What should you not do, and what should you give to someone else? These are the kind of questions that help us be more productive and to add value to others. As we move to the weekend, I want to encourage you to look deeply at what you are doing and the contributions you are making. Look for ways to make a difference in the people around … [Read more...]