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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Louisiana Baptist women get R.E.A.L.

By Holly Jo Linzay PINEVILLE – About 300 women gathered for a two-day conference simply to soak in the presence of the Lord and to dwell in the Word as a respite from the world’s interruptions, organizers told the Baptist Message. The R.E.A.L. women’s conference, which stands for Relationships, Em­brace, Authenticity and Love, took place Feb. 22-23 at First Baptist Church in Pineville. The theme of the event was “Still My Soul” based on the scripture Psalm 46:10. Janie Wise, women’s mission and ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists and coordina­tor for the event, said participants were offered 15 breakout sessions to engage in diverse topics such as spiritual growth, discipleship, personal development, overcoming sexual sins, finding your identity in Christ, worship and making connections in a multicultural world. They were treated to a number of gifted speakers in these small groups and in the general sessions, she said. NICKI KOZIARZ “How’s your soul?” asked Nicki Koziarz. “That is the most important question we can engage you in this weekend. What will it take for it to be ‘well’ with your soul?” Koziarz, who served as the keynote speaker for R.E.A.L., is a best-selling author and speaker with … [Read more...]

Luter urges LC students to develop spiritual discipline of faith

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Fred Luter challenged students to develop spiritual discipline of faith during Louisiana College's weekly chapel service Thursday, February 28. "It doesn't matter what ministry you are a part of, you must have this trait," said Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans and former Southern Baptist Convention president. "If you intend to live victoriously in this life, if you intend to live more than you lose in this life, if you intend to be an overcomer in this life, you must have this quality. "The reason why faith is so critical is because as long as you have blood running in your arteries and veins, as long as you are living in this world, you and I will be confronted with situations that require us to put our faith into action," he continued. Drawing from Hebrews 11, Luter said God tested the biblical character Abraham to see if he was willing to be obedient and offer his son as a sacrifice. Much like he put Abraham's faith to the test, Luter said God does the same for every believer. "God does not only want to hear obedience from our mouths, He wants to see obedience in our lives," he said. "Anybody can talk about faith, anybody can … [Read more...]

Louisiana abortionist’s medical license suspended

NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners has suspended the medical license of Kevin Work, a physician who performs abortions at Delta Women’s Medical Clinic in Baton Rouge and Women’s Healthcare Center in New Orleans. The LSBME issued a “Notice for Summary Suspension of Medical License” on its website Tuesday, February 26, notifying the public that Work’s medical license has been suspended pending “final resolution” in an administrative hearing. The notice states that “pending the institution and conclusion of formal administrative procedures herein, emergency action is imperative to safeguard the public health, welfare, and safety.” The suspension comes following letters by State Attorney General Jeff Landry and Louisiana Right to Life. Both raised serious questions in their letters about threats to women’s health and safety. In a news release from Landry’s office, he noted in his letter  Work has been cited on multiple occasions by the Board for failing to meet basic standards of patient care. In demanding action on this issue, General Landry outlined that the LSBME and the Louisiana Department of Health, who regulate abortion clinics, fall under the Governor’s authority. Louisiana Right to Life … [Read more...]

Pucik assumes leadership of the Northshore

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COVINGTON – Don Pucik, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who moved out of state in 2002, has returned as association mission strategist for the Northshore Baptist Association. Pucik, who served as senior pastor of Wynne Baptist Church in Wynne, Arkansas since 2013, said he is excited about the opportunity to minister to pastors in a state where he once served. “For us it’s a homecoming,” Pucik said. “Two of our six kids were born here and the rest of them grew up here. We have always loved Louisiana, particularly south Louisiana’s culture. We’ve always loved the celebrated spirit of Louisiana life. We are really delighted to be back and we are looking forward to the future.” CALLED TO SERVE Pucik was raised in a family that practiced Roman Catholicism, but he turned from God and religion when he entered high school, he told the Baptist Message. However, before his senior year he found Christ during a worship service at a Baptist church in Dayton, Ohio. “In high school, I stepped back away from all things church, God and religion,” he said. “­The world for me became a very dark place. I met some genuine Christians who invited me to church and it was there in a storefront … [Read more...]

Inaugural ‘Church Resource Expo’ set

PELICAN – The inaugural Church Resource Expo will be held March 1, at no charge for attendees or vendors. Organizers expect more than 40 vendors to participate and are planning for a crowd of 400 at the Clara Springs Baptist Camp event in Pelican. Insurance representatives, office suppliers, copier sales and service providers, janitorial supply distributors and others will share information about the different products and support they can offer churches. There will be Christian entertainment, too. One of the largest vendors, Sysco Foods, will host a church food show that will spotlight various foods ideal for serving at Vacation Bible School, dinner on the grounds and other events. ­The expo will begin with a minister’s conference at 3 p.m., but the general public will need to wait for the main exhibit hall and food show to open at 5 p.m. Twenty-four breakout sessions by vendors are being offered during the expo, and door prizes donated by vendors will be awarded. ­The expo will conclude with two events: a demonstration from Xtreme Obedience, a ministry that utilizes dogs to share the Gospel, and a small concert by the Allen Family. For more information go to the Clara Sparings Baptist Camp website, or call … [Read more...]

Louisiana churches give special guests a night to remember at Tim Tebow event

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Hundreds of special needs individuals in the state were given a night to remember Feb. 9, courtesy of Tim Tebow and several Louisiana Baptist churches. Dressed in their formal attire, these special guests enjoyed a variety of activities to make them feel like kings and queens in God’s eyes at the fifth annual Night to Shine prom. Eastwood Baptist Church, Haughton, Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, Fellowship Church, Prairieville, and the First Baptist Church, Ruston – were among the 655 churches in 50 states and 11 countries that hosted the event, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. The former Heisman Trophy and NFL quarterback started the event five years ago for people who have special needs. From the beginning, the evening was magical for the guests, who were transported by limousine, trolley or classic car to a red carpet. Once there, they were greeted by an enthusiastic group of volunteers armed with cameras and cheers from the crowd. Guests received the royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining areas, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors and a dance floor. All of this led up to the moment when each guest was … [Read more...]

Gaines gives spiritual charge at First Mandeville

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MANDEVILLE – In a day when immorality is rampant, God has called men to step up and become spiritual warriors in the midst of the darkness, Steve Gaines said. “If the men of the church will be men of prayer, men of God, men who will lead and not let everyone else do it, we can have that revival that so many people out there are praying and pleading with God for us to have,” Gaines said during “The Charge” men’s conference, Feb. 8-9, at the First Baptist Church in Mandeville. “By faith, we’re going to have revival.” Citing Philippians 2:5-11, Gaines, pastor of the Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee, and 2016-17 Southern Baptist Convention president, urged men to remember that Jesus was Lord before He came to the earth, and while He was on earth, and as He died on the cross -- and that He will be Lord when He returns. LIVE FOR JESUS Gaines said Christ transformed his life when he was a freshman at the University of Tennessee-Martin. In February 1976, he returned from a night of partying in Memphis, Tennessee, he said, when the Holy Spirit asked if this was a lifestyle he desired. “I can remember saying, ‘No. This is not what I want,’” he recalled. “Then I heard … [Read more...]