IN REMEMBERANCE Koy Lee Haywood, 92, died on Nov. 12. He was born in Mt. Gilead to the late W. T. and Lillie Haywood on Nov. 10, 1924, He married Lorene Snider of Denton in 1944 and they resided in Asheboro until 1956 when he found his life’s calling and attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to prepare for Christian education ministry. Upon graduation in 1958, he served as a staff minister in churches in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Pensacola, Florida. In 1968, he became the Director of Education/Recreation for the Judson Baptist Association, the association of Baptist churches in the greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana area. He later became the Executive Director of the Association in 1972 and served in that position until his retirement in 1987. After retirement, Koy moved back to Asheboro and continued in ministry as the Associate Pastor at Senior Adults for First Baptist Church, Asheboro for 18 years, retiring from that position in 2007. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Lorene Snider Haywood, daughter Janice Haywood of Cary, and son Ryan Haywood and his wife Charlotte of Oak Ridge, NC. Koy found great joy in his grandchildren, Kristina Snyder and husband Barry of Durham, and Karey Haywood of Arlington, VA, as … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LAS VEGAS – Vance Pitman says he may be pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, but at times he feels like he is pastoring “First Century Church” in Jerusalem, Holy Land. Founding pastor of Hope Church, planted in September 2001, Pitman told the Baptist Message he is amazed each day he wakes and ministers in the city alternately known as the “City of Lights” and “Sin City.” His congregation, which averages 3,000 during Sunday worship services, is putting forth its best effort to share the love of Christ, he said. But even with that number of members ministering within their neighborhoods, work places and various recreational settings, the task is monumental in a metropolitan population of 2 million in which only one in 10 residents professes Christ as Lord and Savior. “Everybody who steps inside our church is genuinely in love with Jesus or asking if Jesus is what they need,” Pitman said. “There is no cultural Christianity. It is very authentic and real. It’s intoxicating in our ministry because it’s so real. “There’s real transparency and honesty,” he said. “That’s really the church in Las Vegas.” Such openness has been characteristic of his congregation, since he and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell. Message Staff Writer OAK GROVE – For most of her life, Stacy Miller has struggled with life’s setbacks. Now a single mother with two boys – one who is autistic – Miller said she just did not feel like she ever “fit in” when she stepped inside a church building. That is until Oct. 6, when she visited Unity Baptist Church in Oak Grove, let go of her past and accepted Christ as King. Three days later, Miller and her 12-year-old autistic son were baptized. “My life has changed, as I feel loved and more at peace,” Miller said. “I found God’s love is even greater than I could have imagined. I am very blessed to be a part of Unity Baptist Church, where we take the church out of the sanctuary.” Miller’s story is echoed by many of the members of Unity Baptist Church. Located in northeast Louisiana, the church has grown from 35 members attending Sunday morning worship in 2010 to 180 who show up on an average Sunday now. In order to accommodate the growth the church built a 6,000-sq.-ft. worship center that seats 250 – a capacity it has surpassed a few times. The growth has been fueled by the nearly 200 baptisms that have taken place in a four-year period, including 81 this year alone. On most … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – In May 2015, Sgt. Scott Bullitt was shot while conducting a DUI stop just outside of Monroe on the Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area in Ouachita Parish. After months of rehab therapy, Bullitt – the son of Louisiana Baptist Convention employee Cindy Bullitt  – still faces difficulties as he works toward recovery. During the final session of the 2016 LBC Annual Meeting, messengers honored Bullitt and other law enforcement officers during a presentation by Bill Robertson, pastoral leadership director for Louisiana Baptists. “We pray that God would touch him, restore him to his health, that he could do the things he longs to do and wants to do,” Robertson prayed, as pastors, friends and fellow officers of the law surrounded Bullitt. “And as we pray for him, we remember all of our brothers and sisters that are in law enforcement gathered here today.” Messengers also were led in prayer for members of the Louisiana State Police, Alexandria Police, Pineville Police, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office, Terrebone Parish Sheriff’s office and Winn Parish Sheriff’s office, who were gathered on stage. “The badge has become a target for … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Editor BATON ROUGE – During a joint meeting of the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance Committee, Nov. 18, House members handed a defeat to Gov. John Bel Edwards in his attempt by executive order to create a special civil rights category for sexual orientation and gender identity. Specifically, these lawmakers voted to remove an LGBT non-discrimination provision included in a state insurance contract that was drafted to comply with an Edwards mandate issued in April, granting protected class status for sexual orientation and gender identity with regard to “state employees and employees of state contractors.” In May, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a legal opinion at the request of 32 Louisiana legislators, declaring Edwards’ action to be “non-binding policy” and an attempt “to bypass the legislative process.” Rep. Rick Edmonds, retired pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Shreveport, made the motion to strip the language from the contract. Joining him to reject the LGBT clause, were Rep. Mark Abraham, Rep. Beryl Amedee, Rep. Tony Bacala, Rep. Larry Bagley, Rep. John Berthelot, Rep. Lance Harris, Rep. Cameron Henry, Rep. Bob Hensgins, Rep. Katrina Jackson, Rep. Jack … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – Just two years ago, little Hayden Heaberlin was facing the fight of his life, one that no four year old should have to face – a battle with cancer. But those days of darkness were pierced by the light of God’s mercy and provision. There was the time when 50 people from his church surrounded his home in a prayer circle while his family was with him in Memphis, Tenn., where he was receiving treatments; and, there were countless times when his family relayed to him text messages, phone calls and letters of encouragement. But not even the news that his cancer was in remission caused him to celebrate like he did Oct. 23 when he was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport. The worship center was packed with happy family, friends and church members, and Hayden was all smiles as Pastor John Lary baptized him. “You are a new person,” Hayden said about his conversion. “You don’t look different on the outside but on the inside.” Hayden said his battle with cancer “was tough, but I got through it because God helped me. “He can do anything,” Hayden added. “God healed me.” His mom April describes the day Hayden gave his heart and life to Christ as the day … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LAFAYETTE – At an early age, Ed Newton was faced with a challenge few eight-year-old boys deal with – serving as interpreter for both of his deaf parents. In the midst of that adversity, God drew Newton to a personal relationship with Christ and grew him to become the spiritual leader of one of the largest congregations in the U.S. Now, the 40-year-old pastor of the 27,000-member Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas, uses those experiences of his early life to help youth who are dealing with difficult circumstances. “I made a commitment to [Louisiana Baptist Youth Strategist] Steve Maltempi several years ago to always pour into the lives of teenagers,” Newton said. “Developing the next generation as strong spiritual leaders is crucial. I am very excited about what God will do at YEC.” Called to the ministry as a high school senior, Newton is no stranger to student evangelism. He has served as a youth pastor, faculty member at Student Leadership University in Orlando, Fla., and executive director of the LIFT TOUR, an extension of Student Leadership University in partnership with LifeWay Students. Newton will share his story with more thousands of students expected … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON – The Harvest evangelistic initiative, a two-year statewide soul-winning campaign, will kick off officially at the 2017 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference with an outreach effort targeting teens and college students. The Evangelism Conference also will feature inspiring messages by speakers from Louisiana and beyond, Jan. 23-24, at Temple Baptist Church. Still, the sessions will focus primarily on the Harvest initiative, which aims to enlist at least 700 Louisiana Baptist churches to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in Louisiana. SOUL-WINNING FOCUS Scheduled during the first session of the Evangelism Conference, the kickoff will feature a Gospel presentation by Ed Newton, pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to his message, students will gather inside the church family life center for a pizza party and entertainment. Organizers are encouraging churches around the state to host simultaneous similar events – including the showing of the live Internet broadcast of Newton’s message -- to broaden the geographic reach of this initial event. The remaining sessions of the Evangelism Conference will be broadcast over the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Louisiana College president Rick Brewer credits God and GuideOne insurance for the $12 million of ongoing campus improvement projects that stem from an April 2015 hail storm. Since late May, 17 of 18 school buildings have received new roofs, and some facilities have received interior upgrades. Brewer calls all of the improvements a miracle. “How all of this has unfolded is nothing short of God’s work,” Brewer said. “What began as the inspection of one hail-damaged roof led to the discovery of additional damage caused by an April storm, a year ago. We could not be more grateful for the consideration and cooperation of GuideOne insurance.” Louisiana College contacted GuideOne insurance to request an inspection, which revealed the refurbishment would be rather costly but the insurer agreed to cover all the repairs. Additionally, Campers on Mission, a national Christian fellowship, offered to do some repairs and updates in other areas of the campus. They launched the first wave of construction, refurbishing a fountain near Alexandria Hall, the main administration building, and formed concrete steps close to a dormitory. They also painted numerous curbs, … [Read more...]