By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALTO (LBM) – Every Sunday morning for 70 years, Nancy Johnston has been the heart and soul of the music humming from the worship center at Alto Baptist Church. Since 1948, Johnston has played hymns like “The Old Rugged Cross” on the piano and organ during worship services for the north Louisiana congregation. Many of those she has inspired during her time at the church gathered inside the Alto Baptist worship center Feb. 11 to celebrate this milestone of her many years of service. The special service featured a time for guests to share a personal story, the presentation of gifts and a luncheon fellowship. True to her humble attitude, Johnston demurred regarding the attention, saying she preferred attention be paid to others. “I didn’t want to be honored but I appreciated their having it done for me,” said Johnston. She is the mother-in-law of U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, who is a member of Alto Baptist and worships there when he is not in the nation’s capital. “It was a special day to see so many of my former students come back. People ask me if I plan on retiring and I say, ‘Why retire?’ It’s been a blessing all these years to have known and taught so many … [Read more...]

By Holly Jo Linzay, Regional Reporter BROUSSARD (LBM) – Youth at First Baptist Church of Broussard witnessed first-hand the power of prayer after a devastating flood ravaged their church and shut down their Lighthouse youth hall. “We were never challenged to pray this big before. We asked the youth to pray and be faithful,” Adam Whitney, associate pastor of student education, said about the extensive damages caused by the flood waters and the lack of funding for repairs. In August 2016, the community of Broussard was struck with tragedy as rains and floodwaters damaged numerous homes and businesses as well as FBC Broussard’s sanctuary, education building and student building. “It was the weekend we were having our revival. The flooding was a hard blow that took the wind out of our sails. The whole experience brought the church together during the struggles, but at the same time, it was deflating. We knew we had to depend on God,” Whitney recalled. The sanctuary and education building, the main areas involving the church’s ministries, became the focus of the church’s resources and time. The third building, the Lighthouse, was slated for repairs as resources became available. “Most of our youth come from broken … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS -- Don’t tell seminary professor Preston Nix that door-to-door evangelism in New Orleans does not work. Time and again, he has found that loving, Gospel conversations, even during door-to-door evangelism, can and do lead to decisions for Christ. “It does not work ... if you do not work it,” said Nix, professor of evangelism and evangelistic preaching at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. “But if you work it with a smile on your face, the love of Christ in your heart, and the Good News of the Gospel on your lips shared with kindness and conviction, you will be amazed at how many people will listen to you and respond to the message of the Gospel.” During a recent servanthood evangelism effort in the Edgewood Park/Gentilly neighborhood near New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, six people trusted Christ as Savior and 16 prospects were identified. Gentilly Baptist Church began providing follow-up visits to each new believer and each prospect just days after the initial evangelism effort. Nix planned the servanthood evangelism project for April 26. Called “100 houses -- 100 minutes,” the goal was to visit 100 houses in Gentilly with teams of three or four … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer TALLULAH – World-renowned professional fisherman Hank Parker helped reel in 10 lost souls for Christ during a one-night Harvest Night at First Baptist Church in Tallulah. Nearly 200 attended the evangelistic outreach May 9 to hear Parker share about the outdoors and the Gospel. Jason McGuffie, pastor of First Baptist Tallulah, said people attended from as far away as Monroe and Vicksburg, Mississippi. “We desired for the Gospel to be proclaimed and the Lord to be glorified,” McGuffie said. “Hank shared about outdoor things, and then tied it in so well to how God moved in his life. He spoke from a perspective that we could all relate to about brokenness and imperfection. Hank simply preached the Gospel and God blessed the evening. Lives were changed and we in Madison Parish are grateful.” Madison Baptist Association Director of Missions Jay Morgan is excited about the seeds planted among the crowd, including a large segment of men who attended. “I’m hoping the men who came will apply what they learned and it will have a far reaching impact among males from all across the association and beyond,” Morgan said. “God used Hank Parker in a powerful way to bring people in who … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor FORT JESUP – A love fund has been established for the family of Rev. Matt Haggard at MidSouth Bank in Natchitoches to help with expenses. Haggard was tragically killed Thursday, June 7. Interim pastor of First Baptist Church in Fort Jesup, Haggard was on his daily jog along state Highway 6 near the Fort Jesup Community which is located six miles east of Many, Louisiana, when he was hit by a teenage driver. According to a press release from Louisiana State Police Troop E, troopers responded to the crash on LA Highway 6 at Melody Lane around 6:50 a.m. The release stated the 17-year-old juvenile driver, who was from Many, lost control of his 2004 Cheverolet pickup and exited the right side of the roadway. After exiting the roadway, the vehicle collided with Haggard, as he was jogging eastbound on the westbound shoulder. The 46-year-old Haggard died at the scene of the accident according to Sabine Parish deputy coroner Ron Rivers. “Matt was just a good guy,” said Ron Thompson, Director of Missions for the District Eight Baptist Convention, “He was always smiling. He enjoyed life and celebrated it. And, he was never shy about bragging on his wife April and their two sons. “Matt … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Ben (wife Savana) Alderman is the new youth pastor at Barksdale Baptist Church, Bossier City. Allen (wife Lindsay) Flood is the new youth pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, Shreveport. David Venable is retiring as pastor of Westwood Baptist Church, Shreveport. Joe Jenkins has retired as Pastor of Teche Baptist Church, Breaux Bridge. Jake (wife Diana) Bondurant is the new pastor at Teche Baptist Church, Breaux Bridge. Steve Jensen has resigned as pastor of New Prospect Baptist Church, Dubach. HOMECOMING Johnson Bayou Baptist Church, Cameron: 83rd Homecoming, June 16, 11 a.m. Speaker: J.P. Miles, pastor Choupique Baptist Church, Sulphur. A covered dish luncheon will follow the service. All present and former members are invited to attend. Pastor: Jack Gandy. Philadelphia Baptist Church, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – With hurricane season officially here, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief state director Gibbie McMillan said churches and residents of the state must not delay preparations for the next big storm. “For the most part, people live for the moment and what they can see, not thinking about what emergencies might happen,” McMillan said. “Unfortunately, if they don’t take the initiative, they will be unprepared when something major happens. You can’t be ready for every contingency, but we want people to understand that having a plan in place for hurricane season is important.” Hurricane season was off to a busy start even before it officially began June 1. A sub-tropical system developed in the Gulf of Mexico and formed into the first named storm of the year. Alberto produced heavy rainfall and was cited as the cause for multiple deaths. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts an average to above-average intensity hurricane season for the year, predicting 10-16 named storms with five to nine of these becoming hurricanes -- and one to four of these strengthening into Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricanes that pack winds of more than 110 miles per … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA – Mike Shumock knows the day is coming and he wants to be ready. “In the 2020 plan, the vision is to plant more than 300 churches by the year 2020,” said Shumock, the Missions Builder Strategist for Louisiana Baptists. “Since 2013, we are already more than two/thirds of the way toward reaching that goal. “It will not be long before those church plants will want their own buildings,” he said. “And we need to be ready to assist with their building needs.” Shumock plans to mobilize church-based teams, consisting of five to 10 members in different regions of the state through the associations. His regionalized approach would allow associations and churches to better organize resources to help church plants because of close proximity. “It would cut down on the cost, travel, and possibly give teams additional time on the job,” he said. “I am emphasizing associations and churches to organize teams that can meet the needs already here and in the future.” SUCCESSFUL TEST He already has successfully tested his plan. Gulf Coast Baptist Church in Golden Meadow – a two-year-old church plant – needed help remodeling a recently purchased building into a worship center. “We … [Read more...]