By Will Hall, Message Editor MINSK, Belarus (LBM) – Albert and Olga Melnichuck are typical Belarusians in their experiences with the deep despair that grips the people of this former republic of the former Soviet Union, but also in their life-changing transformation after encountering the Gospel. The middle-aged Belokonevs were caught in an ever tightening downward spiral in life, according to Andrew Ryzhkov, founder of the Byelorussian Mission ministry, who told their story to the Baptist Message. “He was a drunk because of a stressful job, always dealing with death, and the economy went down,” Ryzhkov described. “His wife was constantly complaining and their marriage was falling apart. “But in the midst of all this turmoil, they came to the local church during our team’s most recent visit, and received Bibles we were distributing [Good and Evil Illustrated Bible], and they became curious,” he observed. Ryzhkov said the couple reached out to him and his wife, Inna, and asked to meet at a coffee shop to answer their questions. “We began meeting them, and they were asking about some of the things they were reading in their Bibles. We explained the stories and shared how these pointed to Christ, and we shared … [Read more...]
Immigrant pastor hopes to ‘see green’ soon
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MADISONVILLE –Romanian Andrei Parvu and American Ethan Todd have grown in their individual faith in God and in their friendship with each other as they have faced hardships from the red tape encountered in attempting to obtain governmental approval for Parvu to serve as pastor of the First Baptist Church in Madisonville. “It’s been hard, especially at the beginning,” said Parvu, who has briefly transitioned from pastor to volunteer until he officially obtains a green card that will allow him to return to his former role. “The fact that God initiated this process gave me the confidence and assurance I needed to know that He who begins a good work for us here at First Madisonville, He will be the one to bring it to completion. “I knew the Lord would provide for us,” said Parvu. “I have people who ask ‘How do you make it without receiving compensation.’ It’s been a journey of faith, but the Lord never forsook us.” Parvu became pastor of FBC Madisonville in January 2017, soon after he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services allow international students, classified as F-1, to work for … [Read more...]
Venezuela arrests six over drone explosions in ‘assassination attempt’ on president
73 people shot, 11 fatally, in Chicago over the weekend
98 confirmed dead, hundreds injured after powerful earthquake hits popular Indonesian tourist island
Be the change agent
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. -1 John 5:4 I don’t know what it’s like in your house, but my wife and I always disagree about the temperature of the room. Cathe likes it warm, and I like it cool. Sometimes I find myself breaking out in a sweat, so I’ll walk over to the thermostat and see that it’s set at 78. Then I’ll ask Cathe why she set it that high. “I was cold,” she says. So I return it to an appropriate setting, like 70. She likes it warmer. I want it cooler. We go back to the thermostat again and again, because it controls the warmth or coolness of the room. Unlike a thermometer, which goes up and down with the temperature, a thermostat influences its surroundings. A thermostat controls the temperature around it. With that in mind, are you a thermostat or a thermometer? Let me put it another way: Are you changing the culture, or is the culture changing you? Are you changing the world, or is the world changing you? The Bible tells us the stories of great men and women who served God and, in effect, changed their world. These people were not perfect. In fact, they were far from it. They failed often. But they had faith in a … [Read more...]
John Storey named LBC DR volunteer of the year
By Message Staff BOSSIER CITY – Retired Air Force Lt. Col. John Storey has never shied away from responding to a disaster, whether it be the great 2016 flood in south Louisiana or the 2017 hurricanes that devastated east Texas and Puerto Rico. Since August 2016, Storey has responded to three disasters and volunteered with five organizations, including with the Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief for eight months. For his devotion, Storey has earned recognition as the 2018 Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Volunteer of the Year. “I am very lucky that I am at a stage in life where I can devote so much of my time and energy on helping others who are less fortunate,” Storey told the Baptist Message. “It also helps that my wife supports me and understands my desire to give back as much as I can while I am still young enough and healthy enough to do so. “God has allowed me the opportunity to serve with many people of different religions,” he said. “Whether it be Catholics, Baptists, Protestants, Lutherans or Methodists, we all are committed to serving God and helping others,” he continued. “When I was presented this award, I didn’t feel qualified to have earned it. There were many more people who spent more time with the SBC … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptists in D.C. lead religious liberty efforts
By Message Staff WASHINGTON – Representatives Ralph Abraham, M.D, and Mike Johnson are two co-sponsors of H.R. 6633, the Turkey International Financial Institutions Act, that directs U.S. representatives at international financial institutions to oppose loans to Turkey, pending the release of U.S. citizens and consular staff. Abraham is a member of the First Baptist Church in Alto, and Johnson is a member of the First Baptist Church in Bossier City. The bill is in response to Turkey’s wrongful imprisonment of North Carolina pastor Andrew Brunson, who has served in Turkey for 23 years as a missionary. He has been held captive by the Turkish government for nearly two years where he has reportedly been subjected to deplorable conditions and denied legal counsel. “Too many Christian missionaries face persecution world-wide for practicing their faith,” Abraham said in a press release. “It’s time for President Erdogan to release Pastor Brunson and any Americans he’s holding and allow them to come home, or his nation should face the consequences. Saying these sanctions “will hit them where they hurt,” Abraham urged Erdogan to avoid the sanctions and simply do the right thing “and let these people come home.” There were … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptists encouraged to ‘think big’ about GBO
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – John Hebert wants Louisiana Baptists to think big about how their gifts to the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering can lead to a great harvest of lost souls in the state. “I can’t emphasize enough the important role the Louisiana Baptist state missions offering has on furthering the Kingdom in the state,” said Hebert, state missions and ministries director for Louisiana Baptists. “Without the strong support of our churches through this offering, we don’t have a missions program to the level it is today. I’d hate to imagine what life would be like without it.” -- Without the offering, homeowners in Connecticut last May who were saved because of a Louisiana Disaster Relief chainsaw team response may never have heard the Gospel. -- Without the offering, the Baptist Builders may not have been able to assist 10 mission churches in 2017 with planning, building or remodeling facilities. -- Without the offering, Louisiana Baptists might not have planted 223 new churches since 2010 and would not have witnessed 12,491 new commitments to Christ, and 3,293 baptisms. -- Without the offering, the CENLAPregnancy Center in Alexandria would not have benefited from a grant … [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 Dale Wooten retires as pastor at First Baptist Church, Rodessa. Elizabeth McLellan is the new children’s director at New Chapel Hill Baptist Church, West Monroe. Brad (wife Bethany) Jett is the new worship pastor at First Baptist Church, West Monroe. Flint Miller has resigned as children and youth minister at First Baptist Church, Zwolle. HOMECOMING Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Farmerville: Homecoming, August 12, 10 a.m. Special Music: The Sanctuary Quartet. Pastor: Larry Eubanks. First Baptist Church, Greensburg: 152nd Homecoming, August 12, 9:15 a.m. (Sunday School), 10:30 a.m. (Worship), Noon (Dinner on the grounds). Speaker: Butch Knight. Worship Leader: Church Brown. Please join with us and our friends as we celebrate what the Lord has done for our church through the years. If you … [Read more...]
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