By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- After a year that saw most activities come to a halt by COVID-19, and facilities battered by hurricanes, tornadoes and major storms, the state’s Baptist camps are gearing up for a busy summer. “COVID-19 had huge effects on us and many other camps in 2020,” Josh Bumgardner, director of Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center, told the Baptist Message. “This is the first time in our history that we did not host or program overnight summer camps for our churches. Summer is the focal point for our year and not having camps – understandable, with the ongoing pandemic -- was a huge loss to our staff and to our churches. Most of our other retreats and guest groups cancelled throughout the year, too.” But so far (mid-April) in 2021 the camp has filled 1,925 spots, with space for an additional 1,325 guests. Bumgardner said his staff has worked hard over the past year to work on upgrades to the new Dogwood Cabin, renovations to hotel rooms at Lee Lodge, as well as repairs to the activity building and Indian Creek Lodge that sustained damage from Hurricane Delta. He asked for continued prayers for his staff and guests, and, also for other Christian camps … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – With the availability of COVID-19 vaccines widely accessible and a continued reduction in COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Tuesday, April 27, the end to the state’s mask mandate. While masks still will be required at colleges and universities, early childhood education centers, healthcare facilities, on public transit and most state government buildings, local leaders and business owners will now be able to set their own mask policies starting today, April 28. Social distancing still is recommended. “Many Louisianans have been wearing masks for more than a year now and the statewide mask mandate has been in place for nearly 10 months,” said Edwards, who has kept a mask mandate in place since July 2020. “We know masks work – the science is clear and we’ve seen the positive impact in our own state. “It’s intuitive for people to protect themselves with masks in higher risk situations, and this important mitigation measure should continue,” he continued. “But we have many more tools for slowing the spread of COVID than we did not have even a few months ago, including better treatments and, most importantly, several highly … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – Eighty young men from nine churches were joined by 43 adult leaders for the Royal Ambassador Congress, April 9-10, at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth. The theme for the weekend was “Cowboy Church,” using a creative take on Psalm 20:7. The weekend featured Paul Daily, founder of Wild Horse Ministries in Trout, and his daughter Lenora, who used the taming of an unbroken wild horse to help present the Gospel. Throughout the two-day camp, the youngsters grew deeper in their faith while learning how to rope cattle and ride a mechanical bull, organizers said. By the closing session, nine of the boys had made salvation decisions. Mike Collie, an RA consultant for Louisiana Baptists, said the decisions resulted from seeds being intentionally planted, cultivated, and harvested throughout the weekend. “It was so exciting to be able to host an event after a year of COVID,” he said. “Using horses from Paul Daily’s Wild Horse Ministry, the boys and their dads got to see what it meant to submit to God’s will. The boys also learned how cowboy churches are helping to further the Gospel in their communities.” “The true highlights of the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – For the last 15 years, Gibbie McMillan has been the face of Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief, serving on the frontlines of LBDR-led responses that helped rebuild homes, and, also, offered the hope found in Christ to thousands impacted by floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. McMillan is set to retire, April 30, as men’s ministry and disaster relief strategist for Louisiana Baptists. But he will continue to pursue his passion for disaster relief as the leader of a newly formed chainsaw team affiliated with Two Rivers Baptist Association. “Working for Louisiana Baptists has been one of the most rewarding opportunities I have ever had,” McMillan told the Baptist Message. “Being the hands and feet of Jesus enabled me to meet needs because of the generous giving of the churches of Louisiana. Our Georgia Barnett State Missions offering each year provided the funds needed for a quick response in times of disaster. Not every church in Louisiana is involved in disaster relief -- but they can be when they support the Georgia Barnett State Missions offering.” Stan Statham will succeed McMillan, May 1. He currently serves as associational missions strategist … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BOSSIER CITY, La. (LBM) – Three candidates for Southern Baptist Convention offices urged messengers to turn out the vote for the upcoming Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, June 15-16 in Nashville, Tennessee, during a luncheon April 26 at First Baptist Church in Bossier City,   “2021 is set to be a watershed year for the Southern Baptist Convention,” SBC presidential candidate Mike Stone said. “There are going to be some critical, vitally important decisions made that are going to help set a trajectory one way or the other for the future, at least the immediate future, of the Southern Baptist Convention. “The only votes that will count are those of the messengers who go from your church to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention,” he continued. “So, the way you address this is not on Twitter. The future is not changed by retweets and likes. You don’t address it on social media. You address it by contacting your local association, your state convention, and you find out what is the maximum amount of messengers that your church is qualified to take. And you set aside money in your church budget if necessary. And you do whatever it takes to get the maximum … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – A parking lot along a heavily traveled highway in Pineville was transformed into a harvest field that produced 14 new converts for Christ during a pre-Easter outreach, March 13. In all, 25 members from Lakeside Baptist Church in Pineville either directed motorists to the parking lot, prayed/shared the Gospel with others on-site, or distributed 400 crosses (half were 2-feet tall, the other half 5-feet feet high). Lloyd Bye said this was the largest evangelistic effort in the 20 years he has served as pastor of the congregation, which averages 50 for Sunday morning worship services. One person who received a cross has visited the church and Bye is praying additional people will do the same. The event was born out of the “Increase Challenge,” a five-step action plan in effect through May 31 that was issued to pastors of the CENLA Baptist Association. Lakeside and other area churches were encouraged to find a way to focus on actions that can move people to understand the Gospel clearly and then respond in faith. Bye said the event was a way for some of his members to share their faith for the first time. They had been trained recently, taking part … [Read more...]

LEESVILLE, La. (LBM) – Vernon Baptist Association Director of Missions Morris Goins normally is not at a loss for words, but a request from his great-granddaughter Kaylee Pew, 8, left him speechless. “PawPaw, would you baptize me,” Pew asked him shortly after she admitted she was a sinner and needed Christ in early March. Four weeks later, Goins was at Canaan Baptist Church in Leesville to fulfill the request during a special time that was shared by family, friends, and a supportive church family. “It’s the closest thing to being in the holy presence of the Lord,” Goins told the Baptist Message, regarding baptizing new believers. He added that baptizing Kaylee, March 28, was “more than I can explain – it’s one of the highest honors and privileges a great grandfather can have in his life.” Pastor Jason Nolde said the baptism reiterates the important role discipleship plays in a believer’s spiritual development. “What I saw that Sunday was a multi-generational approach by a great-grandfather, parents, and Sunday school teachers,” Nolde said. “It was obvious how much time they invested in this young girl, and it ended with her making a genuine decision to follow Christ.” SPIRITUAL, NUMERICAL GROWTH Pew’s … [Read more...]

By Staff, Louisiana College News PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) -- Louisiana College is the first institution in Central Louisiana to offer a loan repayment assistance program (LRAP) to all incoming freshmen starting in the fall of 2021. The LRAP can help graduates repay their federal student, parent PLUS and private alternative loans if their income after graduation is below $43,000. Louisiana College has partnered with Ardeo Education Solutions to offer the LRAP at no cost to students or families. The assistance will continue until the graduate’s income exceeds $43,000 or until their loans are completely paid off. “We understand, especially during this difficult time the huge financial challenges facing families,” said President Rick Brewer. “LC has always pursued strategies to ensure education is accessible and affordable, and this initiative underscores our commitment to students and families seeking an excellent Christian education.” For more information about the program or to sign-up, visit myLRAP.org. … [Read more...]