By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer “Louisiana Loves Life” and thousands of Louisianans will show their love for life at five pro-life marches scheduled throughout the state in the coming weeks. For the first time, Lake Charles and Monroe/West Monroe will host a Louisiana Life March, Jan. 22 and Jan. 27, respectively. Baton Rouge and Shreveport/Bossier City marches are scheduled for Jan. 26 and Alexandria/Pineville will host its march Feb. 2. The Louisiana Life Marches are a chance for different denominations, ages and ethnic and racial backgrounds to march together and pray to declare their opposition to the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in 1973. The theme for this year’s marches is “Louisiana Loves Life.” “In Louisiana, we love life, and our love for life must extend to these least among us, especially unborn babies,” said Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Benjamin Clapper. “By marching for life together, our love can overcome the tragedy of abortion, provide support for mothers in need, and build a future without abortion.” The life marches will kick off in Lake Charles Tuesday, Jan. 22. Participants will gather for a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COVINGTON – Passing the Christian faith down to the next generation of leaders will be the central focus of next week’s Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference, Jan. 28-29, at the First Baptist Church in Covington. “We need to evangelize and disciple the next generation so that we may imprint the need for living for Christ as an important part of their life,” said Keith Manuel, evangelism and church growth director for Louisiana Baptists. “I encourage you to bring a van load of church members who are concerned about passing their faith down to the next generation. Those who attend will be encouraged and equipped when they return home to reach their Jerusalem for Jesus.” The first two sessions on Jan. 28 will feature Fred and Chip Luter, who will share the stage in a rare father-son preaching engagement, and Ed Newton. Fred Luter is pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, and Chip Luter is pastor of the Sulphur Springs campus of Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida. Newton is pastor of the Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to Newton’s message, students will gather at the church’s youth building for a pizza party and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COTTONPORT – Prison ministry was not on Sammy Morrow’s radar when he first received the call in August to consider joining Raymond Laborde Correction Center as a chaplain. Morrow had served as pastor of the Alpine First Baptist Church in Tioga and then the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Pollock, and believed he would continue ministering in this way for the foreseeable future. But Warden Sandy McCain derailed his plans. “I got a call out of the blue asking if I had an interest in becoming the chaplain,” Morrow said. “That wasn’t on my radar. I didn’t even know there was a prison in Cottonport. “My wife, Paula, and I came down together and looked at everything and met with Warden McCain,” he continued. “He said, ‘We aren’t looking at anyone else and are waiting for the Lord to do this through you.’ I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt the Lord was leading me to do this.” Since he started serving as chaplain in September, Morrow has baptized three men inside the prison’s chapel. Every time he baptizes a new believer, the entire congregation of 150-200 men celebrates the chains that have been broken from bondage to sin. “To have these young men come to know the Lord in … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SULPHUR – Volunteers with an after-school outreach are finding Jesus saves in the halls of Sulphur’s E.K. Key Elementary School. Since 2016, members of the Houston River Baptist Church in Sulphur have spent their Thursday afternoons serving up snacks, leading small group spiritual discussions and participating in games with 100 third to fifth graders at KiDs Beach Club. Every student who attends receives a Bible and t-shirt, and some even place their trust in Jesus. Four children have accepted Christ since the start of the school year last fall. “It’s very moving to see a child come to trust Jesus,” said Houston River Baptist Pastor Lonnie Gothrup. “We just want children to have an opportunity to see the Gospel lived out and presented. All of our volunteers are laypeople who see an opportunity to love the kids,” he continued. “We are not just going in there with a prayer. We are going to present them with the Gospel. “This is an example of a church investing in the school children spiritually,” he said. “Many parents see that and appreciate it. While we may not see every child come to Christ, we are doing all we can to show His love to kids who may not have any other … [Read more...]

By Message Staff The number of U.S. babies born in 2017, about 3.85 million, was the lowest total since 1987, according to the latest CDC figures. Worse yet, the fertility rate, based on the average number of babies born to each woman of child-bearing age, fell dramatically to just above 1.76, well below the 2.1 level that is needed to keep a population stable, meaning no growth or decline. Already, among whites in the United States, deaths began exceeding births in 2016. That looms large in terms of the population drop that is sure to follow because non-Hispanic whites compose 61 percent of the population. For comparison, Japan’s population is in a downward spiral, peaking at more than 128 million in 2010, a mere 25 years after dropping to a fertility rate of 1.76. Various demographers conclude that based on current fertility trends, Japan will decline by more than 19 million in population by 2050, a drop of almost 15 percent. Meanwhile, China, boasting the largest population of 1.4 billion, is trending down in fertility as well – 1.75 but possibly as low as 1.6 – and has lost more than 20 million workers from the labor force the last six years as more Chinese workers age and retire without anyone younger to … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RAYVILLE – Deep in the Delta farmland, Deanna Corbett battles hunger. Most days she works alongside volunteers to plant vegetables in a community garden or stuff backpacks with food for the impoverished in Richland Parish. Her end goal is to plant seeds that reap a harvest for Christ. According to statistical data, Richland Parish is one of the poorest parishes in the state. U.S. Census information shows that 27.8 percent of Richland Parish residents live below the poverty level, ranking it ninth out of 64 parishes in Louisiana. COOPERATIVE COMPASSION Through her work, Corbett, endorsed by the North American Mission Board as a Mission Service Corps missionary and funded in part by Louisiana Baptists as an association compassion ministry, is doing her part to meet a physical need and give parish residents hope in Jesus. “The projects give us a strong presence – the people know why we are there and what we are doing,” Corbett said. “The plight of the impoverished is massive.” Corbett founded Shade Tree Missions shortly after she surrendered to full-time missions in May 2015. With assistance from a volunteer base of nearly 25, Corbett conducts a backyard Bible club in a … [Read more...]

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 Larry Baldridge, pastor of Bayou Life Baptist Church, Cottonport, is the new worship pastor at First Baptist Church, Abbeville. HOMECOMING Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church, Bogalusa: 70th Homecoming, February 9, 10:30 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the morning worship service. Speaker: Marcus Rosa. There will also be testimonies by charter members and former staff. Music: Waylon Mills and the Westside worship band. Special Music: Reunion choir and orchestra. The day will include celebration of baptisms. Pastor: Marcus Rosa. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Haynesville: Revival, January 27-30, Sunday, 10:45 a.m. & 7 p.m; Monday-Wednesday, 7 p.m. Meals each night will be in the Family Life Center at 6 p.m. Evangelist: The Lisembys. Bring your friends, family and the lost for a week of … [Read more...]

By Message Staff PINEVILLE – Full-time law enforcement and first responders, who enroll in Louisiana College’s criminal justice program, will receive a 20 percent discount on their tuition the school announced a Tuesday, Jan. 15 press conference. “I personally have a desire to help more men and women who are serving us – both protecting and preserving our communities and doing a wonderful job – to enable them  to receive a degree in criminal justice from Louisiana College,” LC President Rick Brewer said during the press conference. “We hope it will encourage men and women to come and get this great education that’s Christ-centered and focused toward making a difference in our community and beyond.” The 127-academic credit hour criminal justice program equips students with the analytical and critical thinking skills in the areas of crime prevention, justice and public safety. Students can take classes on campus, on-line or a combination of the two. LC Professor of Criminal Justice Joshua Joy Dara called the partnership between LC and the criminal justice field a perfect union. “Our US Constitution, our Bill of Rights and our court system are all linked into the Word of God,” said Dara, who also serves as pastor of … [Read more...]