By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COUSHATTA – Before she attended a Red River Association Crusade in late May, Molly Pickett admits her life was filled with anger toward God. But hearing a Gospel message by evangelist Sam Moore during one of seven evening services of the crusade changed Pickett, and also transformed two of her children. All three of the new believers were baptized at Martin Baptist Church in Coushatta, Sunday, June 4. “I was anxious at first but I decided to give my life to Christ,” said Pickett, whose husband encouraged her to attend. “I was so tired of living with the anger and anxiety, and I was not only surprised that my children accepted Jesus as their Savior that night, but also relieved. Now, I am feeling a sense of calm in all areas of my life.” CRUSADE CONVERTS Pickett and her children were among 19 people who professed Christ as Lord and committed their lives to Him, and were obedient in believer’s baptism at Martin Baptist Church and other churches in the area as a result of the Red River Association Crusade. Richard Kaufman, pastor of Martin Baptist Church, was one of the organizers of the crusade. Preparation included a prayer walk at the Red River Parish Fairgrounds and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LAFAYETTE – You would think someone who has 50 years of memories and relationships accrued while serving on the staff at First Baptist Church in Lafayette would have plenty to tell. But recently Luther Burney was left speechless when asked to recall how he managed to serve for a half decade at one church. “You have to live long enough first,” Burney joked with the Baptist Message shortly after a reception honoring his service to First Baptist Lafayette. “We are in the people business and I love the people. And they in turn have loved me and have let me work here.” Family, friends and others from the community gathered in the church’s fellowship hall April 30 to recognize Burney, who came to the church April 9, 1967 as a music and youth minister. ENCOURAGED TO BE AN INNOVATOR When he first got there, Burney was encouraged by the support of Pastor Perry Sanders who told him to pursue new ideas. “I respected Perry and he respected me,” Burney said. “I was always trying to do new things. Perry said as long as I could pay for it, I had the freedom to do what I felt led to do, and I ran with that.” As the years passed, Burney added new programs that became quite popular in … [Read more...]

By Justin Langford, Louisiana College ALEXANDRIA (LBM) -- If you are reading this article right now, I have no doubt that you have been impacted tremendously by the ministry of a particular pastor or minister. Maybe it was a pastor who instilled in you a love for the gospel at a young age. Or maybe it was a youth minister who invested in your life, taught you the basics of the gospel, and who played an instrumental part in your decision for salvation. Or perhaps you were in college and the ministries of the local church and BCM challenged you to grow stronger in the faith. All of us, whether church member or staff person, have a rich heritage of faith. Deep reflection on this heritage should bring us to a place of gratitude for those who have served well in discharging their duties as a minister of the gospel. Paul describes the minister’s duty plainly to Timothy in this way: “But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5, HCSB). Pastors have a high calling and responsibility to shepherd the flock of God. As biblical scholar Gregory K. Beale put it, they are “the doctrinal and ethical guardians of the church.” To … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer DOWNSVILLE – As a teenager, Jerry Whitman’s main passion in life was aviation. He dreamed of one day flying an aircraft as a full-time job, and Whitman was on track to fulfilling his dream until a revival meeting in 1970. It was there God showed Whitman He wanted him to go on a different flightpath – one which would lead him to pastor Holmesville Baptist Church in Downsville for 40 years. For his service to the Concord Union Baptist Association church, the long-time pastor was recently honored in a surprise celebration service that included a video tribute from Whitman’s friends, presentations by Director of Missions Barry Joyner, Lincoln Parish District Attorney John Belton and an inspirational message by NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore. “That Sunday I was thinking the service would go on as planned like any other time, but when I walked into the worship center I saw a plethora of people, including the astronaut in the suit, and knew something was up,” Whitman said of the April 23 service. “Our church has blessed me and my family so much and this was an example of how they care for us. I was blown away by all they put into this for me. I’m not worthy of it.” A native of … [Read more...]

Southside Baptist Church, Shreveport: Galactic Starveyors Vacation Bible School, June 8-10. Thursday and Friday, 6-8:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – to 2:30 p.m. Southside is located at 730 E. Flournoy Lucas Road, Shreveport. For more information, call 318.798.6200. Pastor: Buddy Hankins. … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor COVINGTON – God never ceases to amaze. In the 17 years Johnny Huffman of Fairhaven Ministry has shipped cargo containers, the Almighty Father has guided and provided him with the means and finances to ship to numerous countries for numerous people in need. Huffman can now add Belarus to that growing list of countries. Opening doors that were once closed, God provided Huffman’s ministry with everything it needed to send a container stuffed with much needed supplies to Belarus. The estimated time of arrival for the container in Grodno is July 5. “We were thankful for the opportunity He gave us to ship there,” Huffman said. “Please pray that only He will be glorified as the supplies are distributed.” With the Belarusian container safely on its way, Huffman then turned his attention to preparing for the shipment of two more containers, both headed for Haiti, in mid-June. Each container is being loaded with 20,000 pounds of beans, 20,000 pounds of rice and 2,000 pounds of cooking oil as well as additional supplies. In the midst of preparations to get the containers loaded and shipped, and unbeknownst to Huffman, he discovered God also wanted him to prepare a special container … [Read more...]