By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer POLLOCK – For nearly two years, Brian Gunter has prayed for a way to minister to hundreds of women struggling with crisis pregnancy who are living in central Louisiana. Now Gunter believes God has answered his prayers, with the possible establishment of a pregnancy care center in the area. “The desire of my heart is to see our Southern Baptist churches in Cenla engage in a cooperative missions effort to share the gospel with these women and to save the lives of their unborn children,” Gunter, pastor of First Baptist Church of Pollock, wrote in a letter mailed to churches in the central Louisiana area. “Southern Baptists are adamantly pro-life and missions-minded. It is time that we practice what we preach because God has called us to save souls and save lives. This is our opportunity to do so.” Gunter said that starting a pregnancy care center allows for Southern Baptists to do what they are known for – carrying the gospel around the world, but closer to home. He said that the problem of the women is not that they are unmarried or pregnant out of wedlock, but rather symptoms of a problem – their need for Christ. Gunter said this pregnancy care center will be used to introduce … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer THIBODAUX – Before the fall semester began, the Baptist Collegiate Ministry leadership at Nicholls State University was praying for at least one student to come to a saving relationship with Christ. By the end of September, they had gotten much more – 19 to be exact. “It’s pretty wild,” said Nicholls BCM President Zach Vorenkamp, a senior from Houston, Texas. “The Lord is really moving. If it’s anything we are doing, it’s being intentional – sharing the gospel and creating disciples.” The catalyst for the growth began when BCM Director Conan Sherlin and his wife, Christy, and a friend of the BCM attended a national conference for BCM directors. It was there they were led to discuss with the leadership team at Nicholls a vision to share Jesus with students through the gospel appointments method. Gospel appointments begin with someone in leadership connecting with a first-time visitor to the BCM, asking for a phone number with the intention of sending a text and invitation to coffee within 48 hours. Then, two BCM members – one experienced and one just learning – sit down with the individual and explaining the gospel using the Bridge illustration. Through this method, the BCM … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Jonathan (wife Amy) LeFleur is the new associate pastor of youth and administration at Mulberry Baptist Church in Houma. Jason (wife Becky) Shawley is the new associate pastor of students at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Albany. HOMECOMING Colyell Baptist Church, Livingston: 164th Homecoming and Fall Revival, Oct. 25-28, homecoming, Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m. A covered dish lunch and fellowship will follow the service. Revival, Oct. 25, 6 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday, 7 p.m. Speaker: Lynn Rodrigue. Music: Jim Richardson. Pastor: Bill Holifield. Parhams Baptist Church, Jonesville: Homecoming, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the service. Speaker: Tony Ganey. New Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, Shreveport: 40th anniversary celebration, Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m. The theme for the occasion is, “God’s People Laboring in the Building of His Kingdom,” Psalm 127:1. Speaker: Gilbert Ross. Pastor: Danny R. Mitchell, Jr. Eastside Baptist Church, Rayville: Homecoming, Nov. 1, 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served after service. Revival: Nov. 2-4, 6 p.m. The Crusaders will be in concert and worship. Pastor: Chris Crawford. Woodlawn Baptist Church, Woodlawn:  66th Homecoming Celebration, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.  Speaker: … [Read more...]

By John Kyle, Louisiana Baptists Communications Director Church planting, compassion ministries, missions education and other missions-related endeavors are what typically come to mind when one thinks of state missions. In Louisiana, you can add multi-media outreach to the list. Here for You is a multi-media evangelism strategy for local churches that has become a significant part of Louisiana Baptists state missions efforts. Launched in southwest Louisiana in the summer of 2014, Here for You is a multi-platform media strategy designed to give every person in Louisiana the opportunity to say “yes” to a relationship with Jesus. According to Louisiana Baptists Communication Director John Kyle, the basis for Here for You comes from a parable of Jesus. “In Luke 14, Jesus tells a parable that includes the admonition to ‘go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in.’” Kyle said. “What does this look like in 2015 and beyond? How can we get inside people’s smart phones, tablets, TV’s and other communication platforms?” Since July 2014 the spots have aired over 7,800 times on broadcast and cable outlets in southwest and northeast Louisiana. They have generated more than 135,000 online views via the splash … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter NEW ORLEANS – When it comes to international missions, the African American community may be “a sleeping giant,” said Keith Jefferson, IMB African American missional church strategist, at a recent IMB Forum at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans. The event highlighted that the time is now and the opportunity great for African American churches to invest in international missions. While a lack of missions education and exposure has been a damper to African American participation in the past, the tide is changing. “[Awareness] is beginning to grow,” Jefferson said. Fred Luter, Jr., host pastor, told the group of mostly African American lay persons and pastors that he participated in his first international mission trip – to Africa –  while president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Luter served as president from 2012-14. Stories from IMB leaders of Africans that asked, “Where are the people who look like us?” convicted him, Luter said. “I was bitten by the bug of foreign missions,” Luter said. He added later, “Once you go, you always want to go back.” Featured speakers included Tony Mathews, senior pastor of North Garland Baptist Fellowship, Garland, Texas and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WINNSBORO – In his 50 years of ministry, James Carson has pastored Baptist churches in Texas and Louisiana for 37 years. But it’s the last 13 years as director of missions for the Tri-Association that have given Carson one of the greatest joys and fulfillments of his ministerial career. “What a privilege and blessing it has been to meet so many wonderful people and to work with some of the finest pastors of our churches,” Carson said. “I still believe these three associations are the finest in the Louisiana Baptist Convention.” After serving the churches in Caldwell, Deer Creek and Richland Baptist Associations since Feb. 1, 2002, Carson has felt led to retire from his position on Sept. 30. The reason, Carson said, is because after much prayer and thought he felt led by the Lord that now is the right time. “I have been blessed beyond measure to have made lifelong relationships with so many people through these last 50 years of ministry,” he said. To honor his time of service as director of missions, a reception is scheduled for Sept. 27 from 2 to 4 pm at the Temple Baptist Church Family Life Center in Winnsboro. Keith Dowden, pastor of South Central Baptist Church in … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter ANGOLA – Celebrating a 20-year partnership that has changed lives and deployed “missionaries,” New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary/Leavell College recently dedicated a new facility with expanded classroom and library space at Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola. The Aug. 27 dedication followed a graduation ceremony marking the program’s 278th graduate. “This has been the most spectacular day we could ever have,” said Warden Burl Cain. “We have a new seminary building; we doubled our capacity; and, it means less victims of violent crime.” The Joan Horner Center, an 11,000 square foot building with a computer lab, two classrooms, an auditorium and library, was named in memory of benefactor Joan Horner, founder of Premier Designs of Dallas, who with husband Andy Horner were long-time supporters of the Angola ministry. An anonymous donor provided funds for the structure. James LeBlanc, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Corrections, echoed Cain’s correlation between the program’s success and a state-wide drop in repeat offenders, crediting as a factor the work of 35 NOBTS “missionaries,” graduates who asked to transfer to other Louisiana prisons in order to plant new … [Read more...]