By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – As he held his son’s hand in the baptistery waters, Stewart Holloway had just one thought right before the big moment. “Take it in. This only happens once.” The moment that happened in late October was surreal, said Holloway, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pineville where the baptism occurred. Having baptized so many at the church before, Holloway said he always wondered what it would be like to baptize his own son one day. He found out on Oct. 25 when he baptized Zach. “After the baptism we were in the back and Zach told me this was Daddy and Zach time,” Holloway said. “It was the best Daddy and Zach time ever.” Immediately following the Sunday morning worship service, around 100 people attended a special party in honor of the baptism. Held in the church fellowship hall, the reception featured decorations, refreshments, a photo album and time with people who made a spiritual impact in the life of Zach. The baptism of his son was the sixth one to take place since late September at First Baptist Pineville. When he first became pastor of the church in 2008, they baptized one. The following year, that number jumped to 14. Last year, 22 were baptized at First … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana National Guard has now mobilized more than 250 personnel in an effort to build protective barriers against the approaching flood waters and to patrol levees in support of local, parish and state officials at the request of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Jan. 8. The 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, with the help of the 225th Engineer Brigade’s three bridge erection boats and five-bay package, began transporting 12,550 linear feet of protective levee barriers to Avoca Island in St. Mary Parish early this morning from a staging point in Amelia. The 225th has created a ferry to carry the equipment and materials to the island. The LANG Mobile Operations Command Center is operating in Morgan City to support the Avoca Island mission. More than 100 Soldiers are conducting 24-hour operations to build the barrier in time. More than 60 engineers are also constructing 2,600 linear feet of protective levees in Krotz Springs in St. Landry Parish. LANG aviators conducted an aerial survey of the Morganza Spillway Dam and surrounding affected area in support of the Corps of Engineers Jan. 7. They remain available to conduct further aerial … [Read more...]

By Staff, Louisiana Right to Life NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana Right to Life believes a call by city leaders and other pro-abortion groups to remove the 16 pro-life streetlight banners installed along St. Charles Avenue between St. Joseph Street and State Street in New Orleans is unjustified. The banners were installed after an approval process that began in October through the city of New Orleans' Public Works Department. The initial application letter, dated Oct. 1, stated, "The signs are for educational purposes and to promote awareness of pro-life issues in New Orleans." The graphic design of the banners was also included in the packet. The banners were approved by the city on Nov. 3, the design was then sent to the printer, and finally, on Dec. 10, they were installed. The city's streetlight banner informational document states: "In order to promote community awareness, the Department of Public Works allows community awareness banners to be hung on city-owned streetlights. In general, the DPW does not allow commercial advertising or political campaigning on these banners. Sponsorships are allowed, but the community message must make up a substantial portion of the banners." The two-sided pink banners display a … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists can help sway state legislators’ choice of a new leader. On Monday, January 11, the Louisiana House of Representatives will select a new Speaker and the outcome will have a dramatic impact on the influence of Christian vision and values in the public policy adopted by the state legislature. Among other duties, the Speaker assigns members to committees, whether proposed legislation will be handled by a hostile or favorable committee, and determines which bills will even be considered -- essentially the Speaker sets the legislative process and so largely decides which proposed policies succeed or fail. According to pro-family and pro-life advocacy groups, the two leading candidates have dramatically different records on issues relating to the traditional family and the rights of the unborn. Consequently, the new Speaker largely will influence the outcomes of moral and social concerns pursued by Louisiana Baptists. The Louisiana Family Forum reports Rep. Cameron Henry has a record of supporting traditional family values 93 percent of the time and the Louisiana Right to Life Federation gives him a score of 100 percent on pro-life issues. Meanwhile, Rep. Walt Leger III earned a score of 44 percent from … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message VIDALIA – The cities of Vidalia and Natchez know flooding is coming but they are asking God to spare them any widespread damage. The two communities will gather Jan. 10 at 3 p.m. for community prayer at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center. Everyone is invited, including citizens, businesses and churches from Concordia, Catahoula and Tensas parishes as well as Natchez, Adams County and surrounding areas. “Please join us as the Miss-Lou community comes together in unity to seek God’s protection from this flooding. We are one in this time of need,” said Todd Trahan, organizer of the event. Vidalia Mayor Hiram Copeland says Concordia Parish is asking the Louisiana National Guard to help Louisiana's 5th Levee District prepare for rising water on the Mississippi River. He says emergency director Payne Scott asked for two, four-person units with equipment, and they should begin arriving Wednesday. Copeland and other officials are asking people to stay off levees in Mississippi and Louisiana. Copeland quotes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as saying the levees are in excellent shape, but so saturated with rain that too many vehicles could damage them. According to the Concordia … [Read more...]