by Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees approved three administrators for new roles and elected two faculty members during their spring meeting April 12. The trustees approved a $24.3 million budget. Several significant curriculum adjustments were approved including the renaming of the Division of Christian Education to Division of the Disciple and Ministry Leadership and name changes for the seminary's counseling degrees. The board approved the creation of a new vice president position to oversee institutional assessment and named current provost, Steve Lemke, to the newly created post. Lemke, who has served 20 years as NOBTS provost, will transition to the vice president of institutional assessment role in August. The board also honored Lemke with the title of provost emeritus. NOBTS President Chuck Kelley said increased assessment requirements from the seminary's two main accrediting bodies -- the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges -- precipitated the development of the new leadership position. Kelley called Lemke a natural choice due to his … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE – Prior to the start of the second day of the 2017 Louisiana Legislative Session, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church Pastor Fred Luter told elected officials that when facing major decisions, follow Jesus’ example and consult with the Father. “Throughout His time here on earth, whenever Jesus had a choice to make, He always – without fail – consulted with His Father,” Luter said during his keynote address Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. “If you are in a dilemma, if you are in a predicament, if you need to do something, but you just don’t know what to do, learn a lesson from Jesus and take it to God in prayer.” Luter said when facing a major decision, one cannot stay neutral. Therefore, he said, every person should consider the sorrow, solitude, submission and strength Jesus showed in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the night he was handed over to authorities for his eventual crucifixion. “On this Christian journey, there will be points in your life when you will face situations that don’t make any sense,” Luter said. “When things don’t make sense, when there are things in your life you don’t understand, just like Jesus you will find yourself in sorrow.” Luter said at times … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – For years, James Fletcher struggled with drug addiction, resentment toward others and separation from his brother who was sentenced to serve life at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. But in late 2015, Fletcher found hope in Christ at Celebration Church, marking the beginning of an awakening in his own life, and also a revival among many of his family members. “I let those strongholds take over my life and had to realize forgiveness is one of the biggest things I need to have,” said Fletcher, who was baptized in January 2016. “I was so dependent on the things of the world to hide my feelings, but once I took it to the Lord, He took away those burdens and anxiety. IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK Fletcher also shared how God used his faith to touch the lives of those close to him. “Now, a lot of my family members have accepted Christ,” he exclaimed, “and we are so excited about what He is doing with us.” After his baptism, his mother, Veronica Singleton, and wife, Elisha, accepted Christ and both were baptized within a six-month period. His grandmother, Janet Richard, was redeemed in March and has plans to follow through with baptism in April. Fletcher, … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter MANDEVILLE – A “Grounded, Growing, and Bearing Fruit” theme called women to live on mission at the Women’s Missionary Union Missions Celebration and 117th annual meeting, March 31-April 1, at First Baptist, Mandeville. Cindy Townsend, former LBC women’s missions and ministry director now serving as executive-treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Convention’s WMU and women’s ministries, challenged attendees to shine the light on Jesus. “We are to go to our corner of Louisiana and we are to put the spotlight on Jesus,” Townsend said. “If we put the spotlight on him, he will draw them unto himself.” More than 150 guests attended the event led by speakers Gibbie McMillan, Louisiana Baptists men’s ministry and disaster relief strategist; Gina Roberts, International Mission Board; and, Lena Plunk, WMU ministry consultant for mobilization, Birmingham, Alabama. A special collection benefitting the Mississippi River Christmas Ministry, an evangelistic effort serving families along the river, filled 38 backpacks with toys, schools supplies, hygiene items, and Bibles to be given away. Other activities included a missions fair highlighting ministries around the world, a Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]