Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

LCU awarded nursing scholarship grant from Whitehead Foundation

By Staff , LCUNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCUNews) – A grant of $72,000 from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation of Atlanta has been awarded to Louisiana Christian University to fund scholarships for nursing students for the 2022-23 academic year. “The faculty and students of the Rife and Carolyn Saunders Division of Nursing are excited and appreciative of the LPW scholarships,” said Marilyn Cooksey, dean of the school of nursing. Cooksey said the funds, which are for students already enrolled, will facilitate nursing education and graduation of deserving student nurses. “We are grateful for the continuing support of the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation for equipping a future generation of nurses who model the faith and values espoused by both entities,” said President Rick Brewer. “The need for nurses has never been greater, but the need for nurses who approach their work as a calling is significantly needed.” The LPW Foundation was chartered in 1946 for the “aid and benefit of poor and deserving Christian girls and women.” The foundation is the legacy of Lettie Pate Whitehead who inherited and ran a multi-million-dollar business upon the death of her husband. The foundation devotes most of its resources to the Lettie … [Read more...]

LCU students have strong showing at NRB competition

By Staff, LCUNews NASHVILLE, Tennessee (LCUNews) – Students from the Louisiana Christian University convergence media had a strong showing at the 2022 National Religious Broadcasters Concention March 7-10. Competing in the NRB’s Intercollegiate division, the LCU team walked away with trio of first places and three seconds. The National Religious Broadcasters Christian Media Convention is the world's largest gathering of Christian communicators and ministry professionals. The LCU students’ showing was highlighted by the team of Terrell Phillips and Dustin Morace first-place finish with their audio production of “Faith at a Funeral,” which they composed over a 24-hour period on site. LCU award winners in the NRB student production awards are: --Radio News/Sports Production - (1st Place) Kylei Cornelison for “Married Life at LCU.” --TV Live Multi-Camera Non-Studio Production - (1st Place) Faith Yurrow and Caleb Turner for “Christ, Church and Culture (C3).” -- Radio News/Sports Production - (2nd Place) Brandon Brown, Malik Cooper, Lexi Rachel and Joel Thompson for “Tuesday Sports Talk.” -- TV PSA/Commercial/Promo - (2nd Place) Aaron Quartemont, Victoria Watson and Brandon Brown for “The Wildcat Minute.” --TV … [Read more...]

Holloway Baptist to honor Pastor Jack West on his retirement

By Staff, Baptist Message Jack West, pastor of Holloway Baptist Church in Deville, will be honored on his retirement on Jan. 23. The church, where West has pastored for the past 37 years, will have Sunday School at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. followed by a meal after worship. A reception for the Jack and Becky West will be held at 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend this special occasion as it honors him and his wife Becky. After graduating from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, he pastored First Baptist Church in Peterman, Alabama. In January of 1985, he came to Holloway where he has served ever since. … [Read more...]

LBC leader provides statement on arrest of former employee

By Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director Steve Horn provided a statement to the Baptist Message about the arrest of former employee Perry Leon Moses. Moses, 59, and a resident of Deville, Louisiana, was booked by the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jan. 5, on three counts of molesting a juvenile victim, aged 13-16 years old. Horn said he was alerted, Jan. 3, to inappropriate sexual conduct by Moses, who had served 4.5 years as the maintenance supervisor for the Alexandria facilities of the statewide missions and ministries organization. “Within two hours, we arrived at work, confronted him with the allegation, which then led to termination of his employment,” he shared. “We later learned that authorities were investigating as to whether the employee had sexual interaction with a minor.” He subsequently was informed about the arrest. Horn said he was “heartbroken for the victim and the victim’s family” and that the LBC has offered to help the victim by providing for the services of a licensed counselor of the victim’s choice. “We are fully cooperating with law enforcement in every way possible, including their request of us not to discuss any further details until … [Read more...]

LBC maintenance worker arrested for child molestation

By Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office booked Perry Leon Moses, 59, a former employee of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, Jan. 5, on three counts of molesting a juvenile victim, aged between 13-17 years old. Moses, a resident of Deville, Louisiana, had served until Jan. 3 as maintenance supervisor for the LBC’s Alexandria facility which houses offices for different ministries of the state fellowship of churches. He had been employed about 4.5 years. Moses’s bond was set at $300,000, $100,000 for each charged offense, and as of Jan. 6 he was in RPSO custody. … [Read more...]

Volunteers needed for multiple church construction projects in 2022

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Mike Shumock has issued an urgent call for volunteers to help remodel several Louisiana Baptist churches for 2022. Shumock, the Mission Builder strategist for Louisiana Baptists, said all of the projects scheduled for 2022 originally were to take place in 2020 and 2021, but multiple hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic and rising construction costs delayed the work. Now, he said, they are playing “catch up” and need Kingdom-minded people for the task. “I need churches and associations who will step up and commission skilled workers to come and help these churches with their facilities,” Shumock told the Baptist Message. “Everyone has something to offer, whether they are skilled or have just very basic knowledge of construction. We need people in churches that are willing to say we have skills, and these are God’s gifts to be able to utilize His glory for Kingdom work.” Work at First Baptist Church, Avondale, and Ban Suk Korean Baptist Church, Bossier City, is scheduled to begin in early January. First, Avondale sustained heavy damage from Hurricane Ida in August and needs to reroof its 10,000-sq.-ft. facility. Ban Suk Korean Baptist needs help to demolish its old worship … [Read more...]

Christine Gill answers the call as Louisiana Baptists’ new WMU strategist

By Philip Timothy, Managing editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Christine Gill didn’t go looking for the job; the job came looking for her. “I learned about the pending retirement of Janie (Wise, Women’s Mission & Ministry strategist) in October when I was at a minister’s wives retreat at Tall Timbers,” said Gill. “I remember thinking to myself who would be able to do that job?” Little did she realize but God already had the answer. “When they were seeking applicants, I didn’t apply. My name, though, was given to John Hebert who reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in the position,” said Gill. “I was shocked but excited to be given this opportunity. “I always have had a heart for women and a call to missions,” Gill continued. “So, when John called with the news I was shocked but excited.” The forty-two-year-old former IMB missionary was chosen to become the new Women’s Missions & Ministry strategist on Tuesday, Dec. 22, to replace Wise upon her retirement. “I am pleased to announce that Christine will begin her ministry here Jan. 1, 2022,” said John Hebert, director of Missions and Ministry for Louisiana Baptists. “I spoke with WMU leaders across the state and asked them to describe what … [Read more...]

Shawn Kaffka, Camp Harris director, passes away

By Staff, Baptist Message MINDEN, La. (LBM) – Shawn Kaffka, 44, passed away after a tough battle with cancer Dec. 8 in Minden. Services will be held Saturday, Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. at Ruston First Baptist Church in Ruston with Rev. Chris Craig officiating. Interment will follow at Craig Cemetery in El Dorado, Arkansas under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Minden, Louisiana. The family will receive friends at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church prior to the time of the service. Shawn was born March 4, 1977 in Shreveport. A graduate of North DeSoto High School and Louisiana Tech University, he served in multiple ministry roles upon graduation. He was the former associate pastor of students at Cook Baptist Church in Ruston (2010-2015), summer staff director at Acadian Baptist Center in Eunice (April 2015 to August 2015), maintenance worker at the Outdoor Wilderness Learning Center in Dubach (September 2015-October 2016); ministry operation director at Seeker Springs in Eros (October 2016-April 2018) and director of Camper Harris in Minden (April 2018-2021). He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lucille James, Marie and Walter Kaffka and uncle, Kenny James. He is survived by his wife Laurie Kaffka; … [Read more...]

Ida disaster relief a long-term partnership in the Gospel

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Hurricane Ida operations are winding down at most sites around the state, but Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief coordinator Stan Statham emphasized volunteers will be needed for years to help residents rebuild. “The long-term rebuild phase is Katrina-like,” said Statham, referencing a multi-year effort following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “With 116 churches damaged, including 28 significantly, it’s going to be a while before this area begins to get back on its feet.” Ida came ashore near Port Fourchon around 11:55 a.m. Aug. 29 as a Category 4 storm (maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, just seven mph short of Category 5 status), tying Hurricane Laura (2020) and the Last Island Hurricane (1856) as the most-powerful hurricanes to hit Louisiana. The storm dumped up to 15 inches of rain in some areas, knocked out power to more than 1.1 million at one time and spanned a diameter of 414 miles, according to AccuWeather. Statham praised the volunteers from 31 state conventions that deployed with Louisiana Baptist DR workers throughout the state at various times, ministering from 13 response centers. Through mid-October, there were 929 Gospel presentations, with … [Read more...]

2021 LBC messengers will be urged to seek personal revival

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Messengers and guests to the 2021 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 16, will be encouraged to seek personal revival. At the meeting, a 28-day personal revival guide authored by Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn will be distributed and those in attendance will be encouraged to complete the “Change Me” booklet. “Our Convention president, Dr. David Cranford, has been gracious in working with me to establish the theme of our meeting — ‘Change Me,’” Horn told the Baptist Message. “‘Change Me’ is the title of a 28-day personal revival guide I’ve authored. Every messenger and attendee will have the opportunity to receive a copy of this resource during our Tuesday morning session. We’ve also enlisted the talents of ‘The Skit Guys’ to help us visualize and apply the themes of this emphasis. I’m asking God to use this year’s annual meeting, followed by hundreds of Louisiana Baptists using this tool, to bring personal revival to all of us. I have become more and more convinced that ‘great awakening’ begins at the individual level. God needs to work in us so revival can spread among us.” OTHER BUSINESS Messengers also will consider … [Read more...]