By Jamie Stephens, Regional Reporter BASTROP – Pastor Andy Myrick said his church was excited to be disrupted by a determined cancer patient’s third attempt to be baptized after two previous failed efforts due to his illness last month. “This was the best disruption in our church we have ever had,” Myrick tearfully said, “I was on cloud nine! When Lee Barnett walked out of our church after his baptism, there was not one dry eye. Satan tried to stop him from accomplishing what he wanted to do the previous two times, which was getting baptized at Oak Hill Baptist Church.” Oak Hill’s pastor shared his beliefs about how prayer, determination, and faith in Christ can defeat Satan’s attempts to destroy the accomplishments of God’s children. Lee accomplished his goal for baptism Jan. 24, then joined the Lord through the gates of Heaven Jan. 27 following a coma from his lengthy battle with cancer. Lee’s funeral was on Feb.1, but he left an important message and testimony for those he loved. “I want my wife and grandkids to know the Lord,” he told Myrick before he went home. Myrick described Lee to be distant from everyone and that he never attended church since he was a kid. He said Lee’s wife, Mary, did not attend … [Read more...]
Foundation Trustees kick off 2016 with a busy meeting
By Jerry Love, LBF Communications ALEXANDRIA -- The first meeting of the new year for the LBF Trustees was characterized by a full slate of information and items on which to take action. The meeting was held at the Louisiana Baptist Building Feb. 2. The morning was comprised of the Investment Committee meeting and the Operating Committee and following lunch the entire Board of Trustees met to consider committee reports and other business. The Board welcomed 3 new members: Ron Fuqua of Effie, Philadelphia Baptist Church; Polly Brinker of Pineville, The Gathering Place; and Gevan Spinney of Haughton, pastor FBC Haughton and president of the LBC, serving ex officio. Jim Prince, trustee from Lafayette, chaired the morning meeting of the Investment Committee with Barbara Bell, CPA and controller for the Foundation, reviewing the account holdings for the year ending 2015. She reported assets under management as of Dec. 31, 2015 were $164,366,725.40, a decrease of approximately $4.9 million from 2014. The decrease came primarily from market volatility in the third quarter of the year. Investment returns for the major components of the LBF portfolio were reviewed by Prince who said returns as of Dec., 31, 2015 … [Read more...]
GOD & HOOPS: LSUA’s Cordaro winning games, winning lives on the hardcourt
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Larry Cordaro has achieved at LSU-Alexandria in two seasons what takes some basketball coaches an entire career to accomplish. Since he came on board, he has led the program to its first-ever national tournament appearance, garnered the national coach of the year award and led the Generals to a No. 1 ranking in the polls of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. But even with the success he has experienced on the court, Cordaro knows his mission in life is much more than just winning a national championship. The ultimate prize, Cordaro emphasizes, is influencing the players Christ has entrusted to him – well beyond their basketball careers at LSUA. “It’s more than about winning games,” said Cordaro, a member at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. “It’s about winning lives and making better men.” From successful coach to Christ follower A native of Ruston, Cordaro’s coaching career has included stops at LSU in Baton Rouge as director of basketball operations, University of Texas at Arlington as assistant coach and recruiting and player development as assistant coach and later associate head coach at Southeastern Louisiana University in … [Read more...]
Baptist Temple merger with Family of Grace proves to be God’s will
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – The leadership of Baptist Temple Church had tried multiple attempts at growth. They resurfaced the parking lot, placed a new roof on its building and made many changes to their facility, along with making staff, and ministry changes to try to propel growth. But despite nearly a decade of efforts to revitalize their church, growth did not happen. “We didn’t have the staff with a vision and we couldn’t replace or hire a staff with the ability to discern how to reach our community that was now a different type of demographic than when we first began as a church,” said Deacon Bob Mellon. “It was obvious to keep this site as one that was reaching others for Christ, we needed the right staff with the right vision in here. “We had been praying for years about this,” he continued. “You could see the slide. Like a lot of churches we had become internally focused. We knew we had to change the way we reach our community but didn’t know how.” At that point in February 2015, the congregation reached out to Bradd Webb, pastor of Family of Grace, another other LBC congregation in the community, at the prompting by Director of Missions Robert Daniel – with the idea of a … [Read more...]
‘Shipwrecked’ by life’s storms, God does a work in Stuart’s life
By Holly Linzay, Regional Reporter PINEVILLE – It is often through pain and persecution that the Lord can work in a person or even birth a ministry. “Your pain is for your progress. Your pain is for a purpose. But take courage and believe God,” Debbie Stuart, the keynote speaker, urged the women gathered at the Kaleidoscope Conference as she told about how her life related to Paul’s shipwreck experience in Acts 27. Stuart, director of ministry initiatives at Hope for the Heart ministries in Dallas, shared how the “shipwrecks” in her own life led her to minister to women in prison. She opened up about how her son, Jarrad, was arrested and has been incarcerated for the last seven years. “When the two police officers took my son and arrested him, I asked God for divine intervention. I asked God why would He not deliver my son, and He said, ‘I just did,’” Stuart said explaining that God’s ways are not “our” ways and the Lord “appoints shipwrecks” for “His own good reasons.” About 260 women at the conference Feb. 7 at First Baptist Church in Pineville were challenged by Stuart to see God work in the midst of the storms in their lives and to anchor themselves in the Word so they do not abandon hope. Kaleidoscope is a … [Read more...]
Louisiana Notables
ON THE MOVE Israel Montejo is the new pastor of Bethel Hispanic Church, Bernice. Alvin Ogea resigns as pastor at Trinity Baptist Church, Eunice. Don , wife Bea, Thornton retired from the pastoral ministry Dec. 31, 2015 at Waverly Baptist Church in Delhi after 50 plus years in the ministry. HOMECOMING/ANNIVERSARY Beulah Baptist Church, Cheneyville: 200th anniversary, March 6, 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Kenneth Hudson. Calvary Baptist Church, Slidell: 55th anniversary, March 13, 11 a.m. There will be a luncheon after the services. Pastor: Aaron McGuffee. Trinity Baptist Church, Oak Grove: 54th anniversary, March 13. This will also begin our Spring Revival, March 13-16, Sunday, 10:15 a.m.; Sunday evening, 6 p.m., and Monday-Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. Evangelist: Bill Robertson. Music: Ben Waites will provide music Sunday morning while Richard Ainsworth will direct music Sunday evening through Wednesday. Pastor: Rayburn McLarrin. REVIVAL Crockett Point Baptist Church, Crowville: Revival, Feb. 28-March 2, Sunday 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. Speaker: Jerry Spence. Music: Mackey Willis Family. Pastor: Joe Senn. Westside Baptist Church, New Iberia: Tent Revival, Feb. 28-March 1, 6 p.m. nightly. Guest … [Read more...]
Fred Luter speaks at LC Feb. 18 chapel services
By Norm Miller, Louisiana College Communications PINEVILLE -- Former SBC president Fred Luter preached at Louisiana College's Feb. 18 chapel services as part of the college's observance of Black History month. Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, spoke from Matthew 26 on "What to do when you don't know what to do." “While in the Garden of Gethsemane on the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus felt sorrow and solitude, but expressed submission and showed strength before his unjust arrest,” Luter said. “What one should do when one does not know what to do "is to learn a lesson from Jesus; go to God in prayer. Several local African American pastors and church members greeted him after the chapel sermon, many taking selfies with the noted pastor. LC students, faculty and staff also met Luter. "Dr. Luter is one among the many who have preached in our chapel services, and yet whose walk with God comes through not so much as a sermon, but as an encouraging testimony to what God has done and will do for all who will follow the Lord," said LC president Rick Brewer. "Louisiana College is serious about the chapel service as it draws the entire LC family together around the word of God fitly preached." … [Read more...]
Scalia death clouds abortion, religious liberty cases
By Tom Strode, Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) -- The death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia not only brings about a battle over replacing him and elevates the Supreme Court as an issue in the presidential election, but it likely will affect important cases about life and liberty in this term. Scalia, 79, was found dead in his room the morning of Feb. 13 while on a quail hunting trip at a west Texas resort. He reportedly died in his sleep. While President Obama and the Republican majority quarrel over whether the Senate will act to confirm whomever he nominates, the eight remaining justices will be considering cases left in this term. The even number of court members offers the possibility, even probability, of tie votes. One of the highly significant cases that potentially could result in a tie vote involves abortion, and another impacts religious freedom. The high court will hear oral arguments March 2 regarding a Texas law regulating abortion doctors and clinics. Oral arguments are scheduled March 23 in a challenge to the Obama administration's abortion/contraception mandate to religious nonprofit organizations under the Affordable Care Act. A 4-4 tie in either case -- or any other case -- would result in the … [Read more...]
Mike Johnson announces candidacy for 4th Congressional District seat
By Staff, Baptist Message BOSSIER CITY – State representative Mike Johnson (R-Bossier City) officially announced Feb. 9 his candidacy for the 4th Congressional District seat. Johnson will join fellow Republicans Dr. Trey Baucum, a Shreveport cardiologist, and Elbert L. Guillory, a former member of the Louisiana State Senate representing District 24, who announced their intentions earlier this month. Other Republicans who have expressed interest include: state Rep. Jim Morris, R-Oil City; Shreveport attorney Rick John; "Rocky" Rockett, president of the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation, and Shreveport Councilman Oliver Jenkins. Rep. Patrick Jefferson of Arcadia has been the lone Democrat who said he is evaluating the race. Incumbent 4th District U.S. Rep. John Fleming (R-Minden) is giving up the seat to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by David Vitter in 2017. “Washington, D.C. has grown completely out of control, and our country has lost its moral compass. I’m running for Congress to defend our freedoms, restore our conservative principles, and get American back on the right course,” said the 44-year-old Johnson. He was elected to the Louisiana Legislature in 2015 when 26th Judicial … [Read more...]
Rubio’s No. 2 campaign staffer a gay marriage advocate
By Will Hall, Baptist Message Editor EDITOR’S NOTE: For this news report the Baptist Message researched only campaign staff – individuals each candidate chose for his respective inner circle of advisers -- not contractors that provide some type of specialized or peripheral services for the campaign (like legal review of state ballot applications or phone fundraising or such). Campaign staff names were verified through professionally curated political information from non-partisan sources including Ballotpedia. ALEXANDRIA – Rich Beeson, deputy campaign manager for presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio, was one of more than 300 establishment Republicans to sign a controversial friend of the court brief last year asking the U.S. Supreme Court to legalize gay marriage. Although reported by Politico in an April 2015 article, “Republicans try to have it both ways on gay marriage,” it is an issue that largely has gone unnoticed during the campaign, even as Republican candidates seek to secure conservative support. Cross checking the names of campaign staffers for billionaire Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz and Rubio against the names attached to the writ of certiorari [which described the signers as having “traditional … [Read more...]
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