Palm Sunday
Revival spurs spiritual renewal at FBC Natchitoches
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NATCHITOCHES, La. (LBM) – Nearly 400 members and guests of First Baptist Church, Natchitoches, sought reconciliation and laid down their own idols during a recent four-day Thirst Revival Conference. Hosted by Niles, Michigan-based Life Action Ministries, the gathering featured nightly messages on the need to trust in God even in the hard seasons of life, removing idols, dangers of bitterness and examination of one’s own love for the Lord, himself and others. The conference also included high-energy music, children’s programming and a women’s luncheon led entirely by Life Action’s ministry team. In the end, the church came away more unified and ready for God’s next step in their lives. Tommy Rush, senior pastor of FBCN, told the Baptist Message that every night entire families filled the altar and others gathered in pews as they sought reconciliation and offered long-overdue encouragement. “It was more of a focus on being refreshed and restoring relationships in our family and church,” FBCN Senior Pastor Tommy Rush told the Baptist Message. “Sometimes you don’t realize how hungry people in the church are to restore broken relationships. “The revival focused a lot … [Read more...]
Prayers needed for Compel Outreach Bible University graduates serving in earthquake-ravaged Myanmar
By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer MYANMAR (LBM) – An urgent prayer request has been issued by the founder of Compel Outreach International for 27 graduates of its Bible university who are living in Myanmar, a country devastated by a March 28 earthquake that resulted in more than 3,800 deaths. According to Bill Britt, ministry founder and a member of First Baptist Church, Haughton, the graduates are in a difficult situation but are still being faithful to their call to spread the light of Christ in a dark time. “We’re trying to get relief money to them right now for food, clothes, water and other necessities,” Britt told the Baptist Message. “They’re still sharing the Gospel with people who are there. A lot of people are looking for answers right now, so it's a good time to tell them about the Lord. “Pray first of all that we can get some relief to the 27 graduates so they can help other people as well,” he continued. “And pray that God will open the people’s hearts to the Gospel during this time of devastation.” The 27 Compel Outreach’s Bible University graduates are among 1,500 (serving in 12 Asian nations as evangelists, church planters, pastors and missionaries) who have earned a degree since it started in … [Read more...]
LBCHFM celebrates opening of regional compassion center
By Baptist Message staff MONROE, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries has opened a center that will provide the hope of Christ to those in one of the nation’s poorest regions. Supporters gathered April 10 for a ribbon cutting to mark the official opening of the Compassion Center, located at 501 Kansas Lane on the campus of the LBCHFM. Approved by entity's trustees during its May 12, 2023 meeting, the 15,000-sq.-ft. facility will provide food, school supplies, diapers, shoes, new clothing and other life essentials. Matt Hancock, executive director with Compassion for Kids, a LBCHFM ministry that will operate the Compassion Center, told the crowd gathered for the ribbon cutting that the facility should serve 25,000-30,000 individuals a year. According to the 2020 U.S. Census American Community Survey, 34.9 percent of Monroe residents live at the poverty level. “Luckily, all the time at the Children’s Home we ask the question, ‘Lord, where are the children and families who need us,’ and we don’t have to look very far for the answer,” Hancock told the crowd “It’s right here in our community, and it’s all across the state. So, the Compassion Center will be here to meet physical needs, … [Read more...]
Maggie Martin Marketplace Leadership Summit: Christy Wright says ‘God is in the details’
By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Best-selling author and former Ramsey Solutions personality Christy Wright spoke, April 1, to the attendees at the 3rd Annual Maggie Martin Marketplace Leadership Summit on how biblical principles connect to business practices. Wright, the author of the No. 1 best-selling Business Boutique, Take Back Your Time and Living True, is a certified business coach, dynamic speaker and personal development expert, who was a Ramsey Solutions personality for 12 years before God led her on a new journey. She said it doesn’t matter the kind of business you work in. If you are a believer, God is already there “because He is in you. He gave you your first idea, your first client, your first dollar. You are the light of the world. You bring it everywhere you go. Just let Him shine through you.” Wright offered three key points on living biblically in the business world: value people over policy, value prayer over productivity and value obedience over everything. People over policy Matthew 7:12 is the Golden Rule, Wright noted. It states that in everything, we are to treat others as we want to be treated ourselves. Christians should always remember that in business … [Read more...]
Crusade bears fruit for FBC Denham Springs: 55 baptisms in one day
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer DENHAM SPRINGS, La. (LBM) – A celebration of 1,300 decisions for Christ at the Livingston Parish GO TELL AMERICA Crusade continued for First Baptist Church, Denham Springs, when it baptized 55 individuals on March 30 – the most ever on a single day for the congregation. “It was beyond our expectations, that’s for sure,” FBCDS Pastor Leo Miller told the Baptist Message. “We were anticipating maybe 40-45 before the service began, but we ended up having many more, so it was pretty neat. People throughout the crusade have been excited to see God on the move and this was another way for our congregation to express their appreciation and gratitude to the Lord with more applause and worship.” BACKGROUND The baptisms came two weeks after the crusade, held March 16-19 in the Denham Springs High School football stadium. The four-day spiritual encounter, including all related outside events, yielded 1,316 persons decisions for Jesus, with 602 individuals stepping forward to accept Christ. Miller and other Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association pastors and leaders shared that they prayed and prepared for more than a year with anticipation of a mighty harvest during the crusade … [Read more...]
Can’t miss opportunity (Cartoon: Fletch)
Loudly discussing (Cartoon: Preacher’s Kids)
New Life Pregnancy Center schedules April 5 gala
By Baptist Message staff MAMOU, La. (LBM) - Pro-life supporters will take a step “back into the 1920s” during the upcoming New Life Pregnancy Center Gala, April 5. The largest fundraiser of the year for the pregnancy center will feature music and food from that era and all who come will be encouraged to dress in attire from that decade. This event also will include Christian comedian Dennis Swanberg, event emcee Michaella Fontenot, a testimony by a NLPC client, special music, and updates about how God has used this ministry to help serve “moms in need” so they can experience healthy pregnancies. Connie Landreneau, a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Eunice and a board member, said the banquet is one way those from various denominations will come together for one common cause. “It's amazing to see the help from the community, and it’s wonderful to have them step up and say, ‘I want to help, I want to volunteer, I want to donate to the dinner,’ because it takes a giving heart,” she said. “It takes a servant’s heart to do what we all do together, and it takes a team. And I’m very grateful for the team that we’ve put together to save these babies. We’re very, very grateful that God has put us in that position to do … [Read more...]
