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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Hott shares how God’s mercy saved him from sinful lifestyle

By John Marcase, Special to the Message PINEVILLE – Charles Hott had it all. He was a highly successful businessman in Texas in the 1970s and early 80s as the co-owner of a string of enormously profitable gay bars in Dallas, Houston, Arlington and El Paso. He and his business partner, a member of the mob, paid for political influence, from the local police all the way to the White House. Democrat, Republican, it didn’t matter. Pols on both sides of the aisle willingly accepted the “donations.” He had become what he had desired – Robert Duvall’s character in “The Godfather,” Tom Hagen. There was something else Hott had during this time – conflict. Hott shared his testimony during morning worship at First Baptist in Pineville on Jan. 31 and the following day at the church’s First@First Business Leader Luncheon. Stewart Holloway, pastor of First Pineville, had been Hott’s pastor and accountability partner at Holloway’s previous church in Forestburg, Texas. “I’ve wanted to see this happen for 13 years,” Holloway told his congregation. “Charley has a story full of mercy and grace, and I want as many people as possible to hear it.” Hott first shared his testimony last fall at Southwestern Seminary. SWBTS … [Read more...]

Gathering prays for revival, repentance and awakening

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY – Prayer took center stage for two-and-a-half hours Jan. 31 at First Bossier, as nearly 1,400 members of Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association churches gathered to cry out for spiritual awakening. Those gathered for the Call to Prayer asked for repentance, revival, spiritual change, world missions and protection for the persecuted church. Throughout the evening the First Bossier praise team and choir led worship through music. At other times, testimonies were shared. But, importantly, individuals, as well as pairs and sometimes groups prayed. Lane Moore, NLBA director of missions, said he was building on previous prayer gatherings held in recent years in the state and nationally. For months he had prayed for a large gathering from the association’s churches just to pray for spiritual awakening. By the end of the evening, Moore said the movement of the Holy Spirit was evident. “What we had was a great night where the association as a whole came together to worship and pray,” Moore told the Baptist Message after the prayer gathering. “Those who came got a snapshot of the diversity of our association’s churches, which were of different ethnic groups. It was … [Read more...]

New journeys begin at ‘revived’ church

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – When James Greer surrendered to the ministry 30 years ago, he had a dream to one day baptize 100 people in a year. That God-sized dream became reality on Dec. 13, 2015, when smiles, cheers and laughter were aplenty as Greer lowered Shelia Lowery – the 100th convert of the year—into the baptismal waters at Journey Church in Pineville. Before year’s end, 17 more new members were baptized. But the pastor believes 2015 was only a sign of even greater things to come for Journey Church in the central Louisiana community of 1,400 it serves. So far, the congregation has celebrated 20 baptisms toward its goal of 200 for 2016. “It’s way more about the people than the pastor,” Greer said. “We have the friendliest people this side of heaven. In fact, I love our church so much.” Changed lives have been the norm since Greer and his congregation at Lee Heights Family Church moved to the former site of Donahue Family Church in 2009 and changed the name to Journey Church. Since then, 368 new converts have been baptized and another 147 additional people have made professions of faith (515 spiritual commit ments in all). One of the church’s core values is “Growing People … [Read more...]

Morehouse Crusade witnessing a movement by God

By Staff, Baptist Message BASTROP -- A powerful movement of God is taking place. Two days into the city-wide Morehouse Crusade in Bastrop, there have already been 75 decisions, including 25 first time salvations, according to Bodie Spicer, pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Bastrop and one of the event’s organizers. The remaining 50 decisions have been re-dedications or those surrendering to the ministry. “The 75 decisions are what have come through our counseling office but we believe there have been more,” Spicer said. “We know others have made decisions as the Holy Spirit moves but this is what we have been able to record.” More than 2,650 people – 1,450 on the first night and another 1,200 Monday night -- have attended the first two days of the Crusade. Well-known evangelist Bill Britt, a native of Haughton, who has preached all over the world with his Compel Outreach International ministry, has stressed to the crowd nightly the need to get right with the Lord. “It’s not what people think, it is what God knows,” Britt said. “It is time to swallow your pride; take off your mask and confess your sins to the Lord. The big question is ‘If you died tonight, would you go to heaven? “If you are not sure, you … [Read more...]

EDITORIAL: Does the ERLC represent the SBC?

By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA – When an unnamed staffer “boasted” to the online media outlet Think Progress in October 2014 that Russell Moore had “completely rebranded” the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, few could have imagined what this meant. However, Moore’s all-in campaign against presidential candidate Donald Trump, highlighted by his most recent attacks on Liberty University for hosting Trump at a student convocation, reveals something quite unexpected about Moore when he was elected to lead the ERLC in 2013—a penchant for disdain for Christians who think differently than him. Moore rightly points out Trump’s moral flaws—and character should count—and he has a right and responsibility to comment on Trump’s policies and to share his view of what these might mean in terms of Christian values. But Moore’s dislike for Trump goes beyond the pale, translating into disrespect and even contempt for any Christian who might weigh these considerations differently than Moore when comparing the range of personal beliefs and behaviors as well as public records of ability and achievement within such a large field of candidates for the White House. DISRESPECT FOR OTHERS In an editorial for the New … [Read more...]

Despite cold, thousands march at 3rd annual Louisiana Life March North

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT -- Snow and cold temperatures may have kept the numbers down but it could not dampen the enthusiasm as Saturday mornings 3rd annual Louisiana Life March North in Shreveport/Bossier. “We were delighted by the thousands of folks who braved the cold today to make this important stand for life,” said State Rep. Mike Johnson, event organizer and legal counsel for Louisiana Right to Life. “It was a great event, and a tremendous opportunity for all of us to reach out a renewed hand of compassion again and raise more awareness about this critical issue. “We can save more lives if we get more people talking and working for the cause,” said Johnson. Check back later for an in-depth story on the march. … [Read more...]

Crowds brave chilly temperatures to march for life in Baton Rouge

By Mark H. Hunter, Regional reporter An estimated crowd of 1,500 to 2,000 attending the 6th annual Louisiana Life March South, walked five blocks through downtown Baton Rouge on Saturday from the Old State Capitol to the new Capitol building. A bright, sunny day belied a bitter wind that howled through the canyons between the tall buildings chilling participants but they soon warmed up at the Capitol steps where speakers, including Tommy Middleton, Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge Director of Missions, encouraged the crowd to stay involved in pro-life issues. Check back later for an in-depth story and additional photos. … [Read more...]

New life for church translates into more lives for Christ

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer DOWNSVILLE – In early 2015, Bobby Kranz was brokenhearted. Facing personal setbacks in his own life, the long-time pastor was searching for God’s direction and wondering if he would preach again, so he prayed for direction. God answered those prayers and led him to a church seeking a pastor who would join them as they headed down the path in search of brighter days. When he became pastor of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church in Downsville, March 2015, attendance for Sunday morning worship was around 30. Today, the congregation regularly has 100 in worship and has baptized 20 people, including eight on one Sunday. Kranz believes the growth is nothing he has done as pastor but rather a gift from the miraculous hand of God. “If I had to boil it down to one word, it’s brokenness,” Kranz said. “This church was broken-hearted over strife. They realized if something didn’t change, and quickly, the life of the church could be gone. “I’ve been at a lot of churches and I’ve never seen anything like it,” he continued. “It’s all to the glory of God. It’s not about me. It’s about Him.” Early in his Christian life, he attended a church where Wayne Jenkins, now the Evangelism and Church … [Read more...]

Franklin Graham: ‘Only God can fix our country’

By Mark H. Hunter, Regional Reporter BATON ROUGE - The day after President Barack Obama delivered his last State of the Union speech, evangelist Franklin Graham declared, “the state of the union is broken.” Graham spoke to an estimated 4,000 Louisianans in the capital city’s downtown N. Blvd. Town Square Park, as part of his ambitious 50-state “Decision America Tour” calling the nation back to biblical values, encouraging Christians to stand firm for their faith and to get involved in the political process. “We’re here today because we see that our nation is in trouble - that’s the state of the union,” Graham declared as the crowd agreed – many waving miniature U.S. flags. “We are in trouble spiritually, racially, economically and we’re in trouble politically,” Graham said. “No political party is going to be able to turn this thing around – only God can fix it.” “I have zero hope in the Democratic Party,” he said to more cheers, adding, “but before you Republicans start high-fiving each other – I have zero hope in the Republican Party – or any other political party. The only hope for our nation is the Almighty God.” Graham described how Nehemiah and the Jewish remnant rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls – destroyed by … [Read more...]

Mardi Gras outreach to offer the Good News in the city of good times

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer In just eleven days (Feb. 9), thousands of festival-goers will descend upon the state for Mardi Gras and Louisiana Baptists are working to make sure the message of Jesus is the highlight of their experiences of a parade, king cakes and beads. Using different outreach methods, churches will be sharing the same Good News of Jesus Christ to those coming to the city for good times. “Our city knows how to party, admittedly often for the wrong reasons, but we see no better time to engage them with the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Dean Ross, pastor of Restoration Church in Metairie. For the third year, his congregation will host Restoration Fest -- a block party on Feb. 6 featuring food, games, inflatables and opportunities to share the Gospel. Three churches are assisting in the effort: Broadmoor Baptist, Madison, Miss.; Agricola Baptist, Lucedale, Miss.; and Vaughn Forest, Montgomery, Ala. Every year, Ross and others are able to use the event to share the Gospel with people lining the parade route which runs near the church. During Restoration Fest in 2015, volunteers engaged a neighborhood Muslim family waiting for the parade to begin. “We offered them a time--before … [Read more...]