By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – Churches throughout the state are encouraged to pray for the youth expected to attend the upcoming Student Night set for the evening prior to the upcoming Louisiana Baptist Convention Evangelism Conference’s first session. Student Night, scheduled for 6 p.m., Jan. 24, at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport, will feature an encouraging message by evangelist Luke Hockenjos and music by the Jason Lovins Band. Hockenjos will share about how Jesus set him free from a lifestyle of alcohol and drug abuse and suicidal thoughts. He is a member of First Baptist Church in Haughton and founder of Give ‘em Jesus evangelistic ministry. Brandon Lewis, youth ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists, said social distancing will be observed to ensure safety of participants. “We are really excited about Student Night at ECON and hope that shifting to Sunday evening will make it easier for area youth groups to attend,” Lewis told the Baptist Message. “It will be a great opportunity for students to invite their friends to an event where the Gospel will be shared clearly.” ECON will take place Jan. 25-26 at Summer Grove Baptist Church and will feature messages by … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE John McCatherty is the interim pastor at Ferry Lake Baptist Church, Oil City. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Homer: Revival, January 17-20, 6:30 p.m. Evangelist: Bill Britt. Worship: WeRCalled. Pastor: Brian Thurman. Emmanuel Baptist Church, Shreveport: Harvest Day, January 24. Evangelist: Sam Moore. Pastor: Chad Harbarger. First Baptist Church, Keithville: Harvest Sunday, January 24, 10:15 a.m. Evangelist: Bill Britt. Pastor: Mike Stowell. First Baptist Church, Starks: One Day Revival Event; January 31, 11:15 a.m. Evangelist: Bill Britt. Pastor: Ron Butler. Goodwill Baptist Church, Oak Grove: Revival, February-7-10. Evangelist/Worship: Mackey Willis Family. Pastor: Lucas House. Sweetwater Baptist Church, Quitman: Revival, February 28-March 3. Evangelist: Bill Britt. Pastor: Wilton … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – The 2021 Louisiana Life Marches have moved to a one-day socially distanced life chain event Jan. 23. Originally, the life marches were scheduled to take place around the state over a three-week period in January and February, but novel coronavirus pandemic concerns caused organizers to alter the format for “Stand for Life, Louisiana.” Only the Baton Rouge event will include a program from 9-10 a.m. on the Capitol building steps and will feature messages, music and prayer that will be streamed live on the Louisiana Right to Life Facebook page. A lineup of speakers will be announced closer to the event date. Attendance will be limited to 500 people, who must register online. Following the event in Baton Rouge, pro-life supporters will gather from 10:30 a.m. to noon at designated locations around the state: -- Alexandria (Intersection of Jackson Street and McArthur Boulevard) -- Baton Rouge (756 Colonial Dr. and also Plank Road in front of St. Isadore Church) -- Bossier City (Airline Drive between Viking Drive and George Dement Boulevard) -- Marksville (Intersection of Ferdinand Street and Tunica Drive) -- Metairie (Intersection of Veterans Boulevard … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana will remain in a modified version Phase 2 for at least four more weeks, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said on Tuesday, Jan. 12. The current phase was set to expire Wednesday, but will now be extended for another 28 days. During his news conference, Edwards encouraged all employers to maximize the use of telework where possible and asked Louisianans to continue wearing masks, observe proper social distancing measures and avoid social gatherings. “It is time to buckle down,” Edwards said. “Collectively, while many individuals have been extremely careful and responsible, too many have not. And we can do a better job collectively.” Under the order that expires Feb. 10, attendance at churches will continue to be limited to 75 percent of a worship center’s seating capacity and businesses including restaurants, gyms and non-essential retailers will be limited to 50 percent capacity. A statewide mask mandate also remains in place for anyone eight years or older or with a major health condition. Social gatherings will be limited to 25 percent capacity and no more than 75 people indoors and 150 outdoors when physical distancing is not possible. … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff DEVILLE, La. (LBM) - A fire Saturday morning heavily damaged the worship center at Richey Baptist Church. The fire was discovered around 11 a.m., according to Pastor Grady Dodge. Fire crews from Effie and Ruby-Kolin responded to battle the blaze. No one was inside the buildings at the time. While most of the worship center was destroyed, Dodge said the steeple and a Bible located near the front doors miraculously survived. “The church is not the building but the people,” Dodge said. “Even after such a tragedy, we are even more on fire for Him. We are so proud of our community and will continue to be here for it.” Dodge said the church, which averages 150 for Sunday morning worship services, had insurance and plans to rebuild. The members hope to meet Sunday in its fellowship hall, which did not sustain significant damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Dodge said he is grateful for the many fire departments and especially the church’s youth who helped clean up the area after the fire was extinguished by early afternoon. “I want to give a huge thanks to all who helped,” Dodge said. “Everyone stood in prayers and we very much felt it.” … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff WATSON, La. (LBM) – Ken Fryer, minister of music at Riverside Baptist Church, Watson, died Dec. 12. He was 56. A native of Delhi, Fryer served several Louisiana Baptist congregations as: pastor of First Baptist Church, Greenwood, and College Place Baptist Church, Monroe; and, associate pastor of Heritage Baptist Church, Shreveport, Milldale Baptist Church, Zachary, Willow Point Baptist Church, Shreveport, and Broussard Grove Baptist Church, Prairieville. Additionally, Fryer served Louisiana Baptists as a LBC Executive Board member (2007-2011), Committee on Moral and Social Concerns member (2012-2014), and President’s 2020 Commission member (2012-present), according to the Annual Church Profile. According to his obituary, Fryer taught at Sequitur Classical Academy, University View Academy and Christ Presbyterian Church. He also taught voice to numerous private students. He co-authored the book “Virtues of the Great Composers for Children,” and was a contributor to the book “Covenant Theology: A Baptist Distinctive” by Earl Blackburn. Family and friends gathered for a celebration of life service, Dec. 16, at Woodlawn Baptist Church, Baton Rouge. He was buried, Dec. 17, at Woodard Cemetery in … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries has an urgent need for a husband and wife to accept the call to serve as cottage parents. The couple will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on children in their care on the ministry’s campus in Monroe, according to LBCH President and CEO Perry Hancock. “The greatest staff need we have at the present time is loving, compassionate cottage parents,” Hancock told the Baptist Message. “They are at the center of everything we are trying to accomplish in a child’s life. Cottage parents provide the support, encouragement, and guidance that our children so desperately need. They have the opportunity not only to prepare a child for life but also for life eternal. “It is the positive Christian witness of our Cottage Parents that often leads a child to accept Jesus as Savior,” he continued. “If any Baptist couple felt that serving in this role might be God’s call for their lives, we would love to talk with them and pray with them about this great ministry opportunity.” Susan Nolan, executive director of child and family services for the LBCH, said the parents have the opportunity to be the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LAKE CHARLES, La. (LBM) – Soon after Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles set up a site for ministry to Hurricane Laura survivors Aug. 29, truck driver Len Miller arrived to deliver clean water tanks for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers to use. Instead of returning home immediately to Wauchula, Florida, Miller felt compelled to remain at the church and assist with relief efforts for the next four weeks. Throughout the course of his time there, Miller developed a relationship with disaster relief volunteers and, having accepted Christ 10 years ago, he was finally convicted of his need to be obedient in publicly sharing his faith through believer’s baptism. On Sept. 25, Gibbie McMillan, Louisiana Baptist state disaster relief coordinator, baptized Miller in a cattle trough that relief volunteers used to wash equipment. After the baptism, Miller was presented with a Bible, signed by disaster relief volunteers, so he could grow deeper in his faith. “I was thankful Trinity Pastor Steve James gave me the authority to baptize Len, whom we struck up a great friendship with over time,” McMillan told the Baptist Message. “He accepted Christ years before but when he … [Read more...]