By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer The Baptist Message board during its December meeting unanimously approved the creation of Message Bookswhich will be a book publishing/producing arm of the Baptist Message. The impetus of this new endeavor came at the suggestion of Editor Kelly Boggs. He presented it not only as a new revenue stream but also as a way to promote authors with a Louisiana Baptist connection. “I spoke to an editor of a state Baptist paper who was in the process of launching a book publishing ministry,” Boggs said. “I liked the idea, because I think we have several gifted authors in Louisiana.” The Message plans to publish/produce two books in 2014. One author will be well-known to Louisiana Baptists. The other is a collaborative effort that is theological in nature and will likely be viewed as somewhat provocative. “We hope to have the two books we’re working on published by the end of the first quarter or soon thereafter,” Boggs said. In the future, Louisiana Baptists who have a desire to be published will be encouraged to submit book proposals on their prospective projects to the Baptist Message. “This new publishing/producing endeavor is a business and so when we look at a potential author, we have … [Read more...]
Vieux Carre presence in N.O. French Quarter for five decades
Submitted by philip on Fri, 01/31/2014 - 10:10 Tom Bilderback (right) has seen God at work in New Orleans since he became pastor of Vieux Carre Baptist in the French Quarter in 2011. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – The French Quarter is known for its Mardi Gras bead throwers, restaurant dwellers, fortune tellers and party revelers. But some may not realize that among the partying and eating is a 49-year-old Louisiana Baptist congregation seeking to reach its community with the gospel. And the story of how its pastor was led to the city is about as remarkable as how the church has survived hurricanes and financial hardships and impacted the community for nearly five decades in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Situated one block from the infamous Bourbon Street, Vieux Carre Baptist Church draws as many as 30 into its small worship space on any given Sunday morning. Some are homeless, but most live and work in the area surrounding the church. Their occupations range from coffee house barista to shoe store sales associate to school teacher. Living among those who work and reside in the French Quarter community has been a key to making inroads there, according to Tom Bilderback, pastor of the … [Read more...]
NOBTS receives $250,000 grant to help future ministers
By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) has received a $250,000 grant as part of Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Theological School Initiative to address economic issues facing future ministers. NOBTS, the first institution created as a direct act of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1917, is one of 67 theological schools across the country to receive this funding. Personal financial pressures are severely limiting the ability of seminary graduates to accept calls to Christian ministry and undermining the effectiveness of too many pastoral leaders. To help address this issue, Lilly Endowment created the Theological School Initiative to Address Economic Issues Facing Future Ministers. The initiative’s aim is to encourage theological schools to examine and strengthen their financial and educational practices to improve the economic well-being of future pastors. All theological schools fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada were invited to submit grant proposals. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary will use its funding to help students develop financial skills and take active steps toward reducing … [Read more...]
Louisiana College trustees elect Tommy French its new chairman
PINEVILLE –Tommy French has been unanimously elected to serve as Louisiana College’s new Chairman of the Board by the LC board of trustees. “I am honored to welcome such a distinguished leader of our Baptist faith,” said Louisiana College President Joe Aguillard. “His leadership to our board will strengthen our effort to see Louisiana College grow, serve our students, and ultimately broaden our work throughout the world.” French founded and served as pastor of Jefferson Baptist Church for over 50 years in Baton Rouge. He has held various leadership roles in the Louisiana Baptist Convention and Southern Baptist Convention, which included a two-year term as LBC President and 2nd Vice President of the SBC in 2000. French also served as a trustee for the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for over 10 years and was the board chairman from 2003-2005. … [Read more...]
Group seeks Louisiana’s longest married couples
By Staff, Baptist Message BATON ROUGE – A family advocacy organization is seeking to find the top 10 longest-married couples in the state. Louisiana Family Forum has opened nominations in its “Louisiana’s Top 10 Longest Married Couples” contest. Gene Mills, president of Baton Rouge-based Louisiana Family Forum, said the contest will honor the organization’s commitment to marriage and family. “We look forward to sharing incredible stories of faithfulness in an age when so many couples lose hope for their marriage and need a real life example to encourage their journey,” Mills said. “LFF celebrates life-long marriage and hopes to encourage Louisiana residents that love can last a lifetime.” Those eligible for the contest must have been married for at least 70 years. Eligible couples must submit their contact information and wedding date before Feb. 7 to info@lafamilyforum.org. The winning couples will receive an official statement of special recognition from Governor Bobby Jindal’s office as well as entrance into the Louisiana Family Forum Marriage Hall of Fame. Last year, Louisiana Family Forum named Norman and Norma Burmah of Marksville as the state’s longest-married couple at 82 years. They also were identified at the … [Read more...]
God’s vision is fulfilled as Start Baptist dedicates new children’s building Oct. 13
Submitted by philip on Fri, 01/31/2014 - 10:16 Members of Start Baptist Church attend a dedication ceremony on Oct. 13 for the church’s new fascinating children’s building. Using no borrowed funds (the work cost $160,000), the church’s old sanctuary was transformed into a vibrant, modern place for its youth. START – The members of one rural Northeast Louisiana church believe they are laying a foundation for growth for future generations, one building at a time. Located in a village of 657 and with an active membership of around 300, Start Baptist dedicated a new children’s building on October 13, 2013. This project will be one of several buildings for the congregation. Start Baptist Pastor Jeff Thomas said that God placed the idea in Brad Brazell’s heart while he was children’s minister of the church in 2007. Thomas believed that if the church were to have a thriving student ministry then it must also have a quality children’s ministry and thus needed such a building for that ministry. Rather than construct a new structure, the church’s old sanctuary was chosen as the future home of the children’s building. It would be the first of three phases, the other two being a fellowship building and a family life … [Read more...]
Louisiana Notables
ON THE MOVE Fred (wife Leigh) Lowery retires from First Baptist Church, Bossier City. Brad Jurkovich new as pastor at First Baptist Church, Bossier City. Ron Butler new as pastor at First Baptist Church, Starks. John (wife Brenda) Blake resigns as Music Minister at First Baptist Church, Gibsland. Jeremy Spurling new as pastor at New Ramah Baptist Church, Castor. Matt Duff ordained to the gospel ministry at First Baptist Church, Vidalia. Damon Kirk resigns at Minister of Music at Tioga First Baptist Church. Tim Johnson ordained as a deacon in a ceremony Feb. 9 at Calvary Baptist Church, Natchitoches. Pastor: T.J. Boyd. REVIVAL/HOMECOMING Concord Union Baptist Association Evangelism Rally, Feb. 9, 6 p.m. First Baptist Church, Ruston. Message: David Hankins. Oak Grove Baptist Church, Bentley: Revival, Feb. 9-12. Feb. 9 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 10-12 at 7 p.m.; Evangelist: David Hanna. Pastor: Jim Garlington. Highland Baptist Church, West Monroe: Revival, Feb. 9-12. Sunday Breakfast , 8 a.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Feb. 10, Youth Meal, 6 p.m., Revival, 7 p.m.; Feb. 11, Children’s Nigh Meal, 6 p.m., Revival, 7 p.m. Feb. 12, Pack the Pew Meal for All 6 p.m., Revival, 7 p.m. Speaker: Don Harms. … [Read more...]
Jess Archer joins LBC as its new children/youth mission strategist
Submitted by philip on Fri, 01/31/2014 - 10:21 LBC Women’s Mission and Ministries Strategist Janie Wise (right) welcomes Jess Archer, the new children/youth mission education strategist, to the Louisiana Baptist Convention staff. Archer, a Cut Off native, had her first day on the job Nov. 25. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – For the past 11 years, Cut Off native Jess Archer has spent a lot of time traveling in the service of the Lord. She has traveled to California and Illinois and as far away as Malawi, Africa, and Kaneohe, Hawaii to serve as a missionary. Now, she hopes to bring that same passion and skillset as the new children/youth mission education strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. “Honestly, the Lord paved the way for me to be here and all credit is due to God,” said Archer, whose first day on the job was Nov. 25, 2013. “Five months ago, as I was praying about where to serve Him full time in ministry work, I knew working at the LBC was exactly where He wanted me to be as I walked with Him by faith. “God has given me a heart for ministry, missions education and discipleship and I believe my job here as a strategist is a very fitting position,” Archer continued. A graduate … [Read more...]
Online map helps to show mission needs to volunteers
Submitted by philip on Fri, 01/31/2014 - 10:22 By Sara Shelton, Baptist Press ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – When the Baptist Convention of New England came into possession of an old church building in Massachusetts, BCNE leaders knew exactly what they wanted to do with it. “We were fortunate enough to have the building donated to us, and now we hope to turn it into a church planting center for training planters in the New England area,” Tim Buehner, evangelism consultant and mission mobilization leader for the BCNE, said of the building in Worcester given to the convention earlier this year. Yet the renovation is daunting and costly, requiring everything from demolition and construction crews to painting, carpentry and masonry skills. Simply put – they can’t do it alone. “We have a huge need and not enough resources,” Buehner said, noting, “I’m sure we’re not the only ones with this dilemma. There are extreme needs in areas like ours all over the nation where the majority of churches are small and pastored by bivocational leaders. In places like this, you can’t do everything on your own; you need a little help.” That’s why Buehner chose to post the convention’s need on the North American Mission Board’s Volunteer … [Read more...]
ERLC network will help equip Christians for culture
By Tom Strode, Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptists and other Christians have a new means of being equipped to address the culture’s contentious issues with the Gospel of Jesus – thanks to the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. The Southern Baptist Convention’s ethics entity unveiled Jan. 8 its ERLC Leadership Network and its related advisory council of SBC pastors and leaders. The ERLC describes the new network as a blend of “university alumni association” and “comprehensive digital equipping hub.” It is designed to provide outlets for “affinity” with and “resources” from the ERLC, and is open to men and women who seek to identify with the ERLC’s Gospel-focused approach to cultural issues in their roles as pastors, leaders or lay people. The ERLC Leadership Network Council consists of 31 Southern Baptist pastors and leaders, including David Platt, Matt Chandler and J.D. Greear, who will guide the network and receive training from the ERLC staff. “The ERLC Leadership Network is about ministering in the midst of a devil-haunted universe,” ERLC President Russell D. Moore said. “As we come alongside one another, we’ll talk about crucial ethical issues confronting churches and how we can engage the culture … [Read more...]