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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Executive Board approves loan to self-insurance trust

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – In response to the church insurance crisis that is pressing on congregations across the state, Executive Board members approved, during its Sept. 24 meeting, a motion that would loan $250,000 from the Disaster Relief Restricted Fund to help cover initial costs of a newly-formed church self-insured organization. The money would be used as a loan for establishment and administration of the self-insurance trust, also known as the Fellowship of Louisiana Churches and Non-Profit Religious Organizations. “We have continued to take the lead to take steps so that this will become a reality,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told Executive Board members. “I have met on many occasions, in person and in conference calls, with individuals in the insurance industry and government officials who can hopefully assist us.” BACKGROUND In 2023 congregations began to receive nonrenewal notices or to see exorbitant premium hikes from the three largest insurers of faith-based organizations in the state (Church Mutual, Brotherhood Mutual and GuideOne). In response, the LBC launched a successful effort with the state legislature to establish a church … [Read more...]

HORN: ‘No matter what … He reigns!’

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – During the Sept. 24 general session of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board, LBC Executive Director Steve Horn shared how Louisiana Baptists have continued reaching others for Christ. FULFILLING THE GOSPEL Horn said that various ministries are helping fulfill Louisiana Baptists’ ministry purposes in three ways: seeking the lost, strengthening churches and supporting cooperative missions and ministries. In his report, he invited four individuals to share how Louisiana Baptists are fulfilling their mission through various ministries. Breakaway Camp Kevin Roberts, pastor with Trinity Baptist Church, Pineville, shared how his son, Micah, turned to Christ during Breakaway Camp this summer at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center. Roberts was overcome with emotion as he described how his older son, Noah, led his brother to a relationship with Jesus. “My wife and I were rejoicing,” Roberts said. “We knew that something had happened, something had taken place that night, and God had gotten a hold of his heart. “But Micah wasn’t the only one,” he said. “We ended up having three other teenagers from our youth group that committed … [Read more...]

Early voting in Louisiana begins Oct. 18-29

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) — Early voting for the General Election will take place Oct. 18-29 (excluding Sundays during that time period) and polls will be open from 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Voters must show one of the following picture identifications in order to vote: Driver's license; Louisiana Special ID; United States military identification card that contains your name and picture; or some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature. … [Read more...]

Cenla Hymn Sing scheduled for Oct. 27

By Baptist Message staff TIOGA, La. (LBM) – Faith Baptist Church will host a hymn sing, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m., to bring together central Louisiana churches for a time of joint worship. The hymn sing will include reading of scripture, prayer and singing of hymns under the direction of Kevin Boles, a chaplain with Passages Hospice in Alexandria and bivocational pastor with Lone Star Baptist Church in Hineston. “There’s something special that happens when a roomful of committed believers sing familiar songs of praise to God,” Faith Baptist Church Pastor Clark Palmer told the Baptist Message. “The sound fills the room and the worship fills the heart. I love these gatherings.” … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Chris, wife Jasmine, Culpepper is the new music minister at Eastwood Baptist Church from Longwood, Fl. Ben Martinson is the new youth minister at Vivian First Baptist Church. Charlie, (wife April) Miller is the new pastor at Woodland Hills Baptist Church. Bobby Rodrigue, pastor of Belle River Baptist Church, passed away suddenly on September 14. HOMECOMING/ANNIVERSIES Bayou Macon Baptist Church, Gilbert: Homecoming, October 13, Evangelist: Waylon Tibbs. A fish fry will follow the worship service. Pastor: Larry Russell. Pine Grove Community Church, Bastrop: Homecoming, October 13, 10:30 a.m. Special Music: Louisiana Melody Boys. Pastor: James Moffit. First Baptist Church, Folsom: Homecoming, October 13, 9 a.m.- noon; 9 a.m. Fellowship; … [Read more...]

LBDR feeding units deployed for Milton response

By Baptist Message staff CLEARWATER, Fla. (LBM) - Two Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief feeding teams have been deployed ahead of Hurricane Milton’s expected landfall in Florida. According to LBDR Strategist Stan Statham, the Rolling Hills feeding team and the Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville, quick response feeding team will head to Clearwater, Florida, to support Florida Baptist Disaster Relief. The feeding teams will partner with the Salvation Army to feed residents impacted by Milton, which is expected to make landfall late Wednesday. The storm, which was a Category 4 (with sustained winds of 130 mph) at 1 pm CST, had already produced several tornadoes Wednesday afternoon. “Please pray for our team as they seek to prepare their first meal for Saturday,” Statham said. To give to DR efforts, visit https://louisianabaptists.org/about/teams/missions-ministry/disaster-relief/donate/ (https://louisianabaptists.org/about/teams/missions-ministry/disaster-relief/donate/ … [Read more...]

From Pakistan to Pineville: LCU math professor counts his blessings

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - While Louisiana Christian University welcomed many international students who traveled thousands of miles to attend college this semester, few traveled as far as new mathematics faculty member Ashar Ghulam. Ghulam moved this summer from Lahore, Pakistan - his hometown of more than 13 million residents, of whom are more than 96 percent Muslim - to live in Pineville, a town of 15,000, and work at a Christian university. To say his life has changed seems to be more than just a bit of an understatement. However, Louisiana itself was not new to him or his family. Ghulam, who was raised in a Christian family, studied at Forman Christian College University in Lahore when it was run by government. Previously this university was run by Presbyterian missionaries. He earned his master’s from the University of the Punjab, also in Pakistan. He spent a few years teaching mathematics in high schools. Then in 2003, martial law was declared and the Army took over. The government had previously taken over control of Forman Christian College University and eliminated the role of the Christian missionaries. “The head of the Army, he was a former student, and he helped the … [Read more...]