By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA (LBM) -- Four Louisiana Baptist churches were among eight churches and six businesses in four parishes victimized by burglars and vandals in mid-July. Richey Baptist in Deville, Rosefield Baptist in Grayson and New Ouachita Baptist in Enterprise were burglarized while Lakeside Baptist in Pineville had its sign vandalized. According to investigators at the Sheriff offices in the four parishes (Avoyelles, LaSalle, Catahoula and Rapides), it does not appear the string of break-ins were linked in any way. In the break-in at Richey, Pastor Grady Dodge says he has “them on camera.” However, it was hard to make the thieves out as “the security cameras are not the best and the thieves wore long sleeves and hoodies. They definitely didn’t want to be seen.” On July 17, between 12:30 a.m. until 2 a.m., the thieves came to the church three times. At approximately 12:30 that morning, according to surveillance footage they broke into the church for the first time. “They broke in through the Life Center by busting down the door. They rummaged around the different buildings and made their way to a back room behind the sanctuary where they found our fireproof safe.” The thieves … [Read more...]

Baton Rouge — Louisiana Family Forum released its 2016 Legislative Scorecard July 26, providing a tool for Louisiana residents to evaluate members of the Louisiana legislature on key policy votes. The 2016 regular legislative session was augmented by weeks-long special sessions called by the governor before and after the regularly scheduled lawmaking assembly which convened March 14 – June 6. LFF President Gene Mills said his group maintained a constant presence throughout, assessing legislation to provide feedback to stakeholders on key bills. He said they also tracked how House and Senate members voted on these key issues and that the scorecard reflects a measure of a legislator’s actual stand, not just rhetoric, on a range of family values. "We encourage Louisiana residents to take time and evaluate this report,” Mills said. He also asked voters to “analyze how well your lawmakers represented Louisiana family values” and to call each with feedback. Mills announced his organization would be presenting Life and Liberty Awards to the men and women who successfully passed measures promoting life, liberty, and limited government this year. The 2016 recipients are: Rep. Rick Edmonds – HB1019 – prohibits abortion … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer JOHNSON BAYOU – The past of Johnson Bayou Baptist Church is filled with far too many memories of damage and destruction caused by two hurricanes in the past 11 years. Yet with each setback its members vowed not to give up, and promised not to dismiss the dream of finally one day rebuilding at its original location off Highway 82. Now that persistence paid off with an official groundbreaking ceremony and the laying of the first boards of a new church building on June 22. “After nearly eight years of not having a building, this is a dream come true,” said Pastor Jack Gandy. Scheduled for completion sometime in September, the new building will be a metal structure with wood interior. Built by Brystar Construction of Beaumont, Texas, the cost is approximately $575,000. To protect itself from possible rising water in the future, the 3,200-sq.-ft. structure will sit on beams 10 feet high. Inside the building will be an auditorium with seating for 100, classrooms, a kitchen with a small fellowship area, restrooms and an elevator. The original structure was damaged when Hurricane Rita made landfall Sept. 24, 2005, as 4-5 feet of floodwaters came inside the building and the high winds ripped … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff RUSTON – On a recent Sunday afternoon, around 200 members of First Baptist Church in Ruston hurried to the lake after its morning worship service, but not for just grilling some burgers or having a good time on the water. They were there to witness a decades-old tradition of the church – baptism for 10 of their fellow church members in a lake on the grounds of Lincoln Parish Park. Some were as young as nine, and others as old as 55. The candidates were as equally diverse in ethnicity, from Anglo to African-American to Chinese. But, they were all there for one reason – to declare publicly before their church family, other friends and even passers-by of their decision to follow Christ. “We talk to folks about salvation and publicly professing their faith at our church but to see people boldly proclaim that in this way is always encouraging,” said Clayton Owen, minister of education at First Baptist Ruston. “If you’re willing to wade out in the lake and have others there to see you do that is a bold witness.” Despite temperatures flirting with the 100 degree mark and the water a bit murky, the setting was perfect for Candia Tims. “To be able to experience nature with God has … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message SLIDELL – Bayou Baptist Church Pastor Frank Treme is hoping a $10,000 reward will finally help solve the mystery of who set fire to his church for the second time in 10 months. Earlier in the month, Crimestoppers offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of an arsonist who burned down the church. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced July 21 that it was giving Crimestoppers another $5,000 to help capture the guilty party. Treme said even though the fire destroyed one of the church buildings, his congregation holds no malice toward the arsonist. “What good would it do for me or my congregation to hate someone?” Treme said. “That would go against what we believe and what the Word of God says.” Treme said the congregation continues to pray for strength and guidance, and seeks for prayers from others as well. Members have stayed committed, and the church has even gained some members since the last fire. The latest fire occurred on July 2. After a neighbor called 911 to report flames engulfing the church, firefighters arrived in just over two minutes after the 7:30 a.m. call to find flames leaping from the front and rear of the 2,500 … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer TIOGA – Twenty-five churches in central Louisiana came together this week for an international mission trip in their own backyard. Providing food every day, teaching English classes and sharing laughs over a  day of fishing and swimming at an area lake, the churches’ mission was clear – share the love of Christ to over 40 South Korean children in town for Camp USA. A partnership of REACH Missions and the Korea Baptist Church Development Board, the camp involves 25 churches in three Baptist associations. The children are participating in a Vacation Bible School at Alpine First Baptist Church and spending the afternoons participating in activities at area churches. After a week in Central Louisiana, the campers will depart for southeast Louisiana and spend the remainder of their time in the Ponchatoula area. While there, the children will participate with American children in a music day camp at First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula. The combined 90-voice choir will present ‘Kidz Under Construction’ at 6:30 pm July 31 at First Baptist Ponchatoula. “Camp USA expands the vision of God’s kingdom for both the children and the churches here,” said Tim Hisaw, pastor of Tioga First Baptist … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message JACKSON, MISS. -- It has been just nine days since Kelly Kiper Longoria was abducted, shot in the head by an assailant and left to die in Winnsboro. Doctors at Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit Hospital and Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., were not able to remove the bullet and were very concerned what the adverse effects would be by leaving the bullet. Truthfully, they really had no answers. But word quickly spread about this Christian couple and thousands upon thousands went to the Lord in prayer. The ‘Great Physician’ has heard the prayers and responding as only our Almighty God can and that is in a powerful and mighty way. In another miraculous development, a Facebook post this morning, July 25, by Shane Longoria, her husband, revealed she would being moved to a private room. In his post Longoria wrote, "The doctors and nurses have told us Kelly will be moved to a room today or tomorrow depending on when a room becomes available! The Lord is good! Please continue to pray for strength and progress!" Lisa Kiper, her mother, added, “As a result of God's people calling upon His name, she is being healed! Praise the Lord! #Prayforkelly. #kellystrong.” … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message WINNSBORO – It is a magnificent show of faith and support. Through social media, newspaper articles and TV reports, people by the thousands have joined together to lift up 22-year-old Kelly Kiper Longoria of Winnsboro, who was shot in the head by an assailant eight days ago, July 16. Friends and strangers alike have been quick to try and help. An account has been set up for Kelly Longoria at Winnsboro State Bank. A Go Fund Me page, started by Richelle Cox Huggins of Winnsboro, the day after the shooting has raised $11,860 in seven days. Fresh Start Ministry, a seven-month, faith-based addiction recovery program in Winnsboro, raised $5,400 at its annual auction for Kelly Longoria in just nine minutes. But the biggest help has come in the unceasing prayers. From individuals to Sunday school classes to congregations of churches, people by the thousands have all joined together to ask God to intercede for her and her family. And God is answering those prayers in a mighty way. “God has already answered our prayers before our day started well,” Lisa Knight Kiper, Kelly’s mother, wrote on Facebook July 23. “Kelly is off the ventilator, shaking her head when asked a question about what she wants, biting … [Read more...]