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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Patterson: Practice evangelism, anticipate revival

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer POLLOCK – The Big Creek Baptist Association of churches could spark a nationwide revival if they would develop a love for sharing the Gospel with others, Paige Patterson, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said during the association’s Evangelism Night at the First Baptist Church in Pollock, August 4. “A revival would break out in this association and the first thing you know that revival would spread to other churches in local parishes around you and then it would spread and it would spread and it would spread,” Patterson said. “And the first thing you know the very thing that everybody considers to be impossible would happen and we would have a rebirth of the Word on God in America. It's that easy folks. We don't have to be destroyed. God is not through with us. And if we would begin to witness, it would make all the difference in the world.” Patterson, who referenced 2 Kings 7:1-9, said four lepers discovered an abandoned Syrian camp fully stocked with food, water and valuables, and after eating and drinking their fill began hiding their loot. Bu they had a change of heart and felt compelled to share the good … [Read more...]

Advance

By Steve Horn When I was in college, I was invited to attend an “Advance” sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I had been on retreats before, but I had never heard of an “Advance.” When I asked about the meaning of an “Advance,” my leader asked if I had ever been on a retreat. When I indicated that I had been on many retreats, my leader told me that an advance was like a retreat. My leader continued that Christians are never to retreat, but always to advance. As Christians, even when we go on a retreat, we do so in order to advance. Paul said it this way to the church at Philippi. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 NIV) Christians do not run away from tough times; we run toward the prize for which God has called us. Christians do not panic, but instead we pray, trust God, and react with peace. As we contemplate the back to school season and many of us get back to “normal routines,” let’s pray about how we might advance. Let’s advance first of all in our personal lives. Set some new goals spiritually. Then, let’s work together for the advance of the kingdom of God. Steve Horn is executive director for Louisiana Baptists. … [Read more...]

Louisiana native Robert Finley, AGT contestant, hits high notes of faith at Zion Hill

By Message Staff PINEVILLE, Louisiana – America’s Got Talent contestant Robert Finley paid a visit to the Zion Hill Church Family in Pineville Sunday, August 4, to share a simple, yet profound musical message of hope. “Hold onto God’s unchanging hand,” Finley said in between songs. “Keep your faith. Good things come to those who wait, if you wait upon the Lord.” Finley, who is a bluesman from Bernice, Louisiana, first caught the attention of the nation July 9 when he received a standing ovation for his song “Get It While You Can” in his audition on America’s Got Talent, a television show that features acts who advance through several rounds with hopes of winning a million dollar prize and a guaranteed show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Finley advanced through another preliminary round July 23 to the live performance quarter-final round later this month in Hollywood, California. The air date has not been announced. According to a biography on his website, Finley joined the armed forces as a teenager and, after working as a helicopter technician, used his musical talents to lead an Army band that toured Europe. After he completed his military service, Finley returned to the United States to work as a carpenter. Four years … [Read more...]