Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Skills of a church planter: Using the giftedness of others

By John Hebert ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—I’ve learned a lot about leadership through the years, especially as a pastor and working with other pastors in my ministry with the Louisiana Baptist Convention. But some of the most memorable lessons, and many of the fundamentals, I learned while playing basketball for great coaches: -- Dale Skinner, the Rapides High School head coach during my freshman year, was inducted into the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame; -- Rick Huckabay was my Rapides High coach for the next three years; won the 1973 AA State Championship; and was inducted to the Louisiana Athletic Hall of Fame; and, -- LSU Coach Dale Brown, a four-time SEC Coach of the Year, and was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame. What was common about these championship coaches is the unique emphasis each of them placed on using each player’s strengths, or giftedness, as they put together top teams. Wise leaders always use the giftedness of others – taking inventory of the resources of the people around them and employing them on their team according to their giftedness. In a previous article on creating ownership, I discussed in depth the need for leaders to recruit capable … [Read more...]

Revival brings focus on Christ

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer GLENMORA (LBM) – Cadence Fontenot frequently viewed her life through a dark lens, but an encounter with Christ during the Focus 2020 revival at Glenmora High School gave her a new perspective on life. At the challenge offered by evangelist Ken Freeman “to live for Christ,” Fontenot repented for salvation, turning from her sins and giving her life to Christ. She was among 80 new converts who proclaimed Jesus as Lord during the revival, Jan. 18-20. Fontenot later joined five other members of the youth group at First Baptist Church in Oakdale, Feb. 2, for a baptismal celebration service. All six students had placed their faith in Christ during Focus 2020. “Before I gave my life to Christ, I thought negatively about everything and was never happy,” Fontenot said. “My pastor, youth pastor and Sunday school teacher had been working to prepare me for about a year, and when I finally gave it all to God, I was changed and felt love like never before.” FOCUS 2020 Each night during the revival, Freeman shared messages of hope to more than 500 people who gathered inside Glenmora High School’s auditorium. Freeman encouraged students and adults, alike, to make the right choice to … [Read more...]

Thousands march for life: Push for Love Life Amendment launched with Life Marches

ALEXANDRIA (LBM)--During a pivotal year that will see a ballot initiative in the fall that offers a constitutional amendment to protect our pro-life laws from being overturned, Louisianans gathered on multiple weekends in January and February around the state to declare their love for life and to offer support for the Love Life Amendment. According to information provided by Louisiana Right to Life, a crowd of 2,500 gathered in Shreveport Jan. 19; 500 in Lake Charles Jan. 22; 1,500 marched in Baton Rouge Jan. 25; 2,500 participated in Monroe/West Monroe Jan. 26; and 4,000 rallied in Alexandria/Pineville Feb. 1. At each event, all under the theme of “Louisiana Loves Life,” participants held a large “Louisiana Life March” banner to lead the procession. Others held up signs proclaiming “Life Matters” while some displayed signs urging pro-lifers to “End Abortion Now.” PIVOTAL YEAR All five marches come at a time when Louisiana voters will have the chance to pass the “Love Life Amendment,” slated to be on the statewide ballot Nov. 3. This proposed constitutional amendment reads “To protect human life, nothing in this constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of … [Read more...]

Northwest Baptists seek revival

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY, La. (LBM)--Nearly 350 members of the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association’s 118 churches came together to cry out to God to bring revival during the local fellowship’s fifth annual “Call to Prayer.” Hosted by Bellaire Baptist Church in Bossier City, the Jan. 26 gathering brought together Christians of various ages and ethnicities to pray for law enforcement, educators, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders, and the persecuted church. Just like previous gatherings at First Baptist Church, Bossier City, Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport, Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, and Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport, this event was marked by prayer from the worship center stage, in small groups around the room and by individuals who pleaded with God for revival in their community, state and nation. “The time when pastors pray for each other is always special,” NLBA Associational Mission Strategist Lane Moore told the Baptist Message. “These men come from different cultures, different worship styles and different preaching styles, but when we pray for each other’s ministry it pulls them together.” SEEK REPENTANCE AND … [Read more...]

LBC lawmaker plays pivotal role in President Trump’s acquittal

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor WASHINGTON, D.C. (LBM)—Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA 04), a member of the First Baptist Church in Bossier City, served as a member of President Trump’s defense team that represented him in House proceedings and Senate trial; and, ultimately won the president’s acquittal on the two charges brought forward. The votes were 48 to convict and 52 to acquit on the charge of “abuse of power”; and, 47-53 on the charge of “obstruction of justice.” It takes a two-thirds vote to convict a president on impeachment charges. During the Senate hearing, Johnson told NPR that the impeachment effort was a display of “hyper-partisanship.” “There’s no better way to describe it,” he said. “This is the first single-part impeachment in the history of our republic in 243 years. It’s something that the founders warned against because they were afraid, they were concerned, that if it ever came down to this, it would divide the country bitterly, perhaps irrevocably.” Johnson also said Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, had “manufactured” the idea that the president of the United States asking a foreign country to interfere in a U.S. election. “What the president was after was … [Read more...]

Mamou churches commit to save unborn, improve mothers’ lives

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MAMOU, La. (LBM)–Supporters gathered Tuesday, Jan. 21, for a ribbon cutting to mark the official opening of the New Life Pregnancy center, located inside the Sanctuary of Praise facility at 1415 7th Street, Suite H, in Mamou. The facility will be open each Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will offer pregnancy decision coaching by trained advocates, as well as free pregnancy tests, information about pregnancy options, maternity and physical resources, and, post-decision support (including parenting education and abortion recovery groups). Rebecca Plunkett, secretary for the pregnancy center’s board and the wife of Sanctuary of Praise Pastor David Plunkett, has marveled at the level of cooperation among various denominations and other members of the community to make this dream a reality. Sanctuary of Praise is a non-denominational church. “We don’t focus on the beliefs of each church and denomination, but instead are anchored on the main thing – saving souls,” she said. “This year-long process has showed us that people of all faiths can come together and for one cause, and that’s for the Lord.” Connie Landreneau, a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Eunice … [Read more...]

Simpson builds membership, facilities

By Message Staff SIMPSON (LBM) – Simpson Baptist Church held a groundbreaking ceremony, Feb. 2, to celebrate the beginning of construction on a new multi-purpose facility that will serve future generations. Interim Pastor John Hebert, who also is Louisiana Baptists missions and ministry team director, told the Baptist Message that the new facility will ensure the church has adequate space to meet the needs of a growing congregation. Since Hebert became pastor in 2018, Sunday morning worship attendance has increased from 60 to 120. “The new building will put the church in a great position to grow even more and equip them to expand their Gospel reach into the community,” Hebert said. “We are praying that Louisiana Baptists will join us in helping build for their future.” Once complete, the 11,100-square-foot facility will include worship space to accommodate 224 people and education space. Under the direction of Mike Shumock, who serves as Louisiana Baptist missions builder strategist, a Baptist Builders construction team will begin work on the proposed building in February with the opening planned for the fall. To learn more about volunteering with the Baptist Builders on the project, call 225.975.0848. … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

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 Ken Gordon is the new pastor at Beulah Baptist Church, Cheneyville. Seth (wife Joy) Whorton is the new music minister at Cypress Baptist Church, Benton. Shelby Thomas is the new youth pastor at Bethel Baptist, Carthage, Texas from Bethany Baptist, Bethany. Brent Shoalmire is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Eunice from Red River Baptist Church, Benton. Matt Duff resigns as worship pastor at First Baptist Church, Vidalia. Phil Smith is the new music minister at Bethel Baptist Church, Bastrop. Zack Bennett is the new pastor at Evans Creek, Pearl River HOMECOMING First Baptist Church, Shreveport: 175th Anniversary, February 23, Speaker: Joel Gregory. Activities will include a banquet Friday evening, mission projects on Saturday morning, and a worship service Sunday morning. For … [Read more...]

How can I do things that matter?

By Waylon Bailey James Clear is a favorite writer. He has written about the power of habits and how you develop those powerful habits. Recently he wrote about adding value to other people. He said that before you ask for value you must give value to others. This fits many areas of life. My blog tomorrow will expound on this idea and how it applies to Scripture and to us. Today, I want to talk about productivity and time management with something James Clear said in the same article. “The fastest way to raise your level of performance: Cut your number of commitments in half.” Almost all of us are asking, “How can I do the things that really matter?” Obviously, we first have to ask, “What really matters?” This is a great life lesson and life exercise. Certainly, your family, livelihood, and faith would fit in these areas. What else should fit, and what shouldn’t fit? What should you not do, and what should you give to someone else? These are the kind of questions that help us be more productive and to add value to others. As we move to the weekend, I want to encourage you to look deeply at what you are doing and the contributions you are making. Look for ways to make a difference in the people around … [Read more...]

Andrew Maddox returns to LC as new football coach

By Louisiana College Sports Information PINEVILLE, La. – What is old is new again for Andrew Maddox, as the Louisiana College alum and former Wildcat football player and defensive coordinator has returned to his old stomping grounds, named the sixth head coach of the LC football team in the modern era on Tuesday. "My family and I are glad to be coming back to Pineville, a place we consider home," said new Louisiana College head football coach Andrew Maddox. "We enjoyed our time here the first time. It's exciting for us to see many familiar faces, but now we're ready to get started working and get this program the best we can get it and heading in the right direction." President of Louisiana College Rick Brewer said, "At the top of my list of qualifications for our new head coach was that we sought a man of character and integrity, and Coach Maddox is all that and more. The successful candidate will be humble, hungry, and smart," Brewer added while acknowledging Maddox's attributes, saying he has the #AndThenSome traits that will bring success to the Wildcats football program. I have every confidence that Coach Maddox will develop the student-athletes under his supervision athletically, academically, and … [Read more...]