By Message Staff WASHINGTON – Representatives Ralph Abraham, M.D, and Mike Johnson are two co-sponsors of H.R. 6633, the Turkey International Financial Institutions Act, that directs U.S. representatives at international financial institutions to oppose loans to Turkey, pending the release of U.S. citizens and consular staff. Abraham is a member of the First Baptist Church in Alto, and Johnson is a member of the First Baptist Church in Bossier City. The bill is in response to Turkey’s wrongful imprisonment of North Carolina pastor Andrew Brunson, who has served in Turkey for 23 years as a missionary. He has been held captive by the Turkish government for nearly two years where he has reportedly been subjected to deplorable conditions and denied legal counsel. “Too many Christian missionaries face persecution world-wide for practicing their faith,” Abraham said in a press release. “It’s time for President Erdogan to release Pastor Brunson and any Americans he’s holding and allow them to come home, or his nation should face the consequences. Saying these sanctions “will hit them where they hurt,” Abraham urged Erdogan to avoid the sanctions and simply do the right thing “and let these people come home.” There were … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptists encouraged to ‘think big’ about GBO
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – John Hebert wants Louisiana Baptists to think big about how their gifts to the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering can lead to a great harvest of lost souls in the state. “I can’t emphasize enough the important role the Louisiana Baptist state missions offering has on furthering the Kingdom in the state,” said Hebert, state missions and ministries director for Louisiana Baptists. “Without the strong support of our churches through this offering, we don’t have a missions program to the level it is today. I’d hate to imagine what life would be like without it.” -- Without the offering, homeowners in Connecticut last May who were saved because of a Louisiana Disaster Relief chainsaw team response may never have heard the Gospel. -- Without the offering, the Baptist Builders may not have been able to assist 10 mission churches in 2017 with planning, building or remodeling facilities. -- Without the offering, Louisiana Baptists might not have planted 223 new churches since 2010 and would not have witnessed 12,491 new commitments to Christ, and 3,293 baptisms. -- Without the offering, the CENLAPregnancy Center in Alexandria would not have benefited from a grant … [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 Dale Wooten retires as pastor at First Baptist Church, Rodessa. Elizabeth McLellan is the new children’s director at New Chapel Hill Baptist Church, West Monroe. Brad (wife Bethany) Jett is the new worship pastor at First Baptist Church, West Monroe. Flint Miller has resigned as children and youth minister at First Baptist Church, Zwolle. HOMECOMING Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Farmerville: Homecoming, August 12, 10 a.m. Special Music: The Sanctuary Quartet. Pastor: Larry Eubanks. First Baptist Church, Greensburg: 152nd Homecoming, August 12, 9:15 a.m. (Sunday School), 10:30 a.m. (Worship), Noon (Dinner on the grounds). Speaker: Butch Knight. Worship Leader: Church Brown. Please join with us and our friends as we celebrate what the Lord has done for our church through the years. If you … [Read more...]
Rodney Taylor wrapping up 41 years at Natalbany, but still winning souls
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NATALBANY – Rodney Taylor is closing 41 years of service at Natalbany Baptist Church, but he has not stopped pushing to win more souls. During the final day of VBS in mid-June, Taylor presented the plan of salvation to more than 100 children and youth, patiently waiting as 15 new converts, one-by-one, stepped forward to publicly declare faith in Jesus. These students are among more than 700 new believers who committed their lives to Christ and were baptized during Taylor’s ministry at Natalbany. “I was praising the Lord for the fact that the teachers had done such a wonderful job of teaching them,” Taylor said. “My part at the altar with them on Wednesday night was just the culmination of what had been going on each night here in the different classes. It was easy for me to just go over and review the plan of salvation and then to give them the opportunity to make that public decision to say ‘I’m not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for I know it’s the power of God unto salvation.’” EARLY START TO MINISTRY Taylor, who was born in Greenville, Mississippi, accepted Christ when he was 15. A year later, he preached his first sermon at Forkland Baptist Church in … [Read more...]
Abraham endorsed by National Right to Life
By Office of Congressman Ralph Abraham MONROE - National Right to Life has endorsed Congressman Ralph Abraham for re-election. Abraham has been a consistent pro-life advocate in Congress and has a perfect voting record on pro-life issues. "As a doctor, I have spent my career defending life, and I have always stuck to my principle belief that life begins at conception. I will always protect the rights of the unborn so long as I am fortunate enough to serve Louisiana's 5th Congressional District," Abraham said. Abraham has voted against providing funding for abortion providers like Planned Parenthood, and he supported the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act that would have instituted a government wide ban on funding abortion and health plans that cover abortion. He is a member of the pro-life caucus. … [Read more...]
Jenkins, Lowrie receive medallions for evangelism work in Brazil
Marcio Alexandre de Moraes Santos, executive director of the Minas Gerais State Baptist Convention, recently presented medallions to Wayne Jenkins and Dwight Lowrie for their work in evangelism in Brazil. They were recognized in late July during the annual Brazil mission trip among the top 100 influential persons in the area of evangelism in Brazil. The medallion marks 100 years of Baptist work in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil. Jenkins, who retired in early 2018 as evangelism and church growth director for Louisiana Baptists, has now led 34 mission trips to Brazil. Lowrie has helped coordinated the trip for many years and is pastor of Liberty-Eylau Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas. This year's trip resulted in 3,212 people who accepted Christ as their personal Savior. The Baptist Message will have a story on the mission trip in the Aug. 23 edition. Photo by Craig Beeman. … [Read more...]
M-FUGE students on mission in Central Louisiana
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA/PINEVILLE – More than 400 middle and high school students stepped out of their comfort zones to share the Gospel during the recent M-FUGE mission camp. Throughout the week of July 9-14, Good News seeds were planted by the students by going door-to-door and holding Bible clubs in area parks. The students from churches in Louisiana and six other states enjoyed a time of worship and Bible study at Louisiana College in Pineville each morning and then dispersed into smaller teams as they worked at their assigned sites. Some students presented the Gospel in the afternoons to community members while others sorted through donated clothing, renovated a church building and packed boxes at the Food Bank of Central Louisiana. “For the second year, Louisiana College was pleased to partner with Lifeway’s M-FUGE serving as a host site for over 400 high school students,” LC President Rick Brewer told the Baptist Message. “These students from SBC churches across Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee and Louisiana had a transformational worship and work experience while in Central Louisiana. It’s our desire to expand this partnership with LifeWay to offer four weeks of M-FUGE … [Read more...]
Are You Prepared When Your Moment Comes?
Daniel Poncedeleon pitched a no-hitter last night for seven innings for the St. Louis Cardinals in his Major League debut. Unfortunately, because of needing to pinch hit for him and because of a high pitch count, his manager made the most difficult decision to take him out of the game. More unfortunately, the Cardinals’ designated “closer” Bud Norris gave up a couple of runs in that last inning and the Cardinals lost 2-1. But, here’s the real story. Not only was this Poncedeleon’s first ever game to pitch in the Major Leagues, he is fortunate that he ever got the chance to pitch. Last season while playing for the AAA Minor League team of the Cardinals, a batted ball struck Poncedeleon in the head causing a serious injury. His Major League start last night was the celebration after surgery, days of clinging to life in the ICU, and months of rehabilitation. As a baseball fan, his story is a great one. But, as a Christian, there is more to the story. Last night after the game, the anchor of ESPN did a live interview with Poncedeleon. The second question was, “How is your life different since being hit in the head with the line drive.” Poncedeleon is a pitcher, but as a Christian, he hit a home run. “Honestly,” he did … [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 Doyle L. Adams was recognized on April 27, 2018 for his 60th year in the ministry at a ceremony at Lone Cherry Baptist Church, Mangham, where he is presently pastoring. For his long, faithful service, he received a plaque from the Louisiana Baptist Pastoral Leadership team and also was recognized by the Richland Baptist Association. During his career, he has preached at Antioch Baptist Church, Rayville; North Central Baptist Church, Delhi, Forty Necessity Baptist Church, Fort Necessity; Lone Cherry; Coax Baptist Church, Baskin; First Baptist Church, Gilbert. Trey, wife Jessica, Etheridge is the new Pastor of Worship and Discipleship at First Baptist Church, Jonesboro. He was formerly the pastor of Briarwood Baptist Church in Reidheimer. Michael Hawley will retire as pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, … [Read more...]
Prayers credited for team’s safety amid Haiti violence
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer CROIX DES BOUQUETS, Haiti – Cole Permenter was helping to lead a training conference for 140 Haitian pastors when the large-scale social unrest exploded in Port-Au-Prince late Friday, July 7. During the next two days, Permenter and the other members of a Louisiana Baptist team heard sporadic gunfire and saw smoke rise in the distance while sheltered inside their secure missionary compound in Croix des Bouquets, on the outskirts of the capital city. But prayers from many around the world and assurance from their leaders kept them at ease in the less-than-ideal circumstances. “Our excellent leaders, Tommy Middleton, Darrin Badon and Stan Statham, brought the team together for a briefing and began to tell us about what was going on,” said Permenter, pastor of Bluff Creek Baptist Church in Clinton. “It is because of their leadership our team was able to remain calm and still be eager for what was to come. “We coveted the prayers of all our brothers and sisters stateside,” continued Permenter, who boarded a return flight back to the U.S. with his team Tuesday, July 10. “It’s an amazing feeling to know that the church was united in their prayers for us. “We were overwhelmed by the … [Read more...]
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