By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Some members of the Louisiana Baptist Convention state mission services staff will be taking on new roles early next year. Stacy Morgan, church administration strategist for Louisiana Baptists, will transition to the role of Cooperative Program and stewardship strategist and Jeff Ingram, adult ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists, will remain in his current role while absorbing Morgan’s church administration strategist duties in early January. The changes were approved by the LBC Executive Board. Both men told the Baptist Message they eagerly anticipate their respective new responsibilities. “I’m looking forward to responding to pastors, staff and the church’s needs in this critical area of church administration,” Ingram said. “I’ll be providing resources for churches regarding church administration. Specifically, this may include the church ministry assistants’ conference, church tax seminar, staff compensation research, as well as resources to help churches develop safety policies and marriage policies. I also will be responsible for the annual luncheon for retirees and bi-vocational pastors.” Morgan said he is excited about promoting the Cooperative … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell and Kirbi Cochran ALEXANDRIA – Hundreds of students embraced a call to “change the world for Christ” during the 2018 Youth Evangelism Conference, coinciding with a change in venue for the annual event as it returned to the confines of its traditional home at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria. Extensive renovations to the coliseum had forced a move to south Louisiana for the past four years. “Being back at the Coliseum is like coming home; it’s a good fit,” said Keith Manuel, evangelism and church growth director for Louisiana Baptists. “We’ve been blessed to have a great response to YEC at every location, however, being in central Louisiana allows us to make the most effective use of our resources and strategically reach more students across the state for Christ. “The coliseum staff and upgrades made this a welcome and accommodating environment to freely share the Word of God and respond to spiritual needs,” he added. FOR CHRIST’S SAKE Evangelist Drew Worsham headlined the gathering, Nov. 18-19, challenging Louisiana Baptist teens in multiple sessions to share what Christ has done in their lives, and encouraging them to change the world for the Lord. “He is not done with you, … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Editor BOSSIER CITY (LBM) -- U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., has been elected chairman of the influential Republican Study Committee. Johnson, a member of the First Baptist Church in Bossier City, will assume his post while beginning only his second term as a congressman. With 150 members, the RSC is largest caucus of conservatives in the Congress, constituting more than a third of the 435 U.S. representatives. Former RSC chairmen include Vice President Mike Pence, who served in the position when he was a congressman from Indiana, and U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, who has since been elected Republican whip, the number two GOP leadership spot in the House. After his election, Johnson released a statement, vowing to “continue to fight” for core values while helping to shape “the future of the conservative movement.” “As we become the minority party in the next term, we have a vital responsibility to present practical ideas and effective policy initiatives,” Johnson said, “and to unify as a conference to vigorously defend and advance our core conservative principles. Sodom and Gomorrah? Archaeologists excavating the Bronze Age city of Tall el-Hammam reported in … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer GILBERT – Sharon Ferrington’s heart went cold after her boyfriend passed away in February, but the Christ-like legacy he left behind combined with a profound question by her sister, Susan Hill, made Ferrington consider her eternal future. “She asked me, ‘If you died today, would you go to Heaven?’ and I told her, ‘I’m not sure because I’m not saved,’” Ferrington recalls of the September conversation. “That’s when I knew I needed to follow Christ.” She repented for salvation and that same month was baptized. Speaking to the Baptist Message Ferrington recalled her emotions afterward. “My baptism left me with this overcoming peace,” she said. “I wanted to throw my hands up and say, ‘Praise the Lord.’ God took a black hard heart, wiped it with red blood and it came out white.” IN GOOD COMPANY Ferrington is among 25 new believers who have been baptized at First Baptist Church in Gilbert since January. The baptisms give a glimpse of the revival First Baptist has experienced since Pastor Bubba Ezell arrived in October 2016. Before then the congregation averaged about 25 worshipers in Sunday morning services, and baptisms were a rarity. Two years later, attendance has more … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COVINGTON – Fred Luter and David Hankins will share the stage with theirs sons, Chip and Eric, respectively, in a rare father-son preaching engagement during the 2019 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference, Jan. 28-29, at the First Baptist Church, Covington. Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, and Chip Luter, pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church’s Sulphur Springs campus, Tampa, Florida, will preach during the opening session. David Hankins, executive director for Louisiana Baptists, and his son Eric Hankins, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Fairhope, Alabama, will be on the program for the morning session of the second day of the meetings. MAKING A CHANGE Chip served under his dad’s leadership at Franklin Avenue Baptist for five years; however, even then they rarely preached together at the same event. “To be able to have Chip at home and be a part of our state Evangelism Conference alongside me means a lot,” said Fred Luter. “The excitement of having my son preaching on the same day together, for only the third time, is hard for me to put into words.” Throughout his ministry, Fred Luter has emphasized the importance of men taking an … [Read more...]

By Message Staff   ALTO, La. (LBM) - Ralph Abraham, M.D., a Republican who represents the 5th Congressional District, announced Thursday, Dec. 6, he has entered the 2019 gubernatorial race.   “I’m running for governor, and I intend to win,” Abraham said in a brief statement released on his personal Facebook page.   Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist Church, was first elected to Congress in 2014. His district encompasses 24 parishes in the northeastern, central and southeastern areas of the state. He serves as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the Agriculture Committee and the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.   The three-term congressman joins Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone, also a Republican, in challenging the incumbent John Bel Edwards, a Democrat.   Abraham is a physician, veterinarian, business owner, farmer, pilot and veteran. He was a first lieutenant with the 20th Special Forces Group Airborne Division of the Army National Guard from 1986-1989, according to his website.   He is a native of rural Richland Parish where he and his wife, Dianne, live. He holds degrees from Mangham High School and Louisiana State University.   During his time in Congress, Abraham has been a … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Tommy Middleton, director of missions for the Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge, led a prayer to open the U.S. Senate December 6. Middleton, who was invited by U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, voiced prayers of thanksgiving and guidance for decisions made by elected officials. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGD-81gWW9E&feature=youtu.be … [Read more...]

By Art Toalston, Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) - W.C. Fields, a forerunner in denominational journalism as vice president for public relations for the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee from 1959-1987 and an alumnus of Louisiana College, died Monday (Dec. 3) in Nashville at age 96. As an Executive Committee vice president, Fields was the SBC's press representative and director of Baptist Press, the convention's news service. He also was editor of the Executive Committee's former Baptist Program magazine from 1959-1972. He was first listed in Who's Who in America in 1976. Gratis, he wrote an article on Southern Baptists for Saturday Evening Post in 1983 that sold more than 1 million reprints. In 1979, Fields was among SBC denominational leaders who found themselves in the national media when Memphis-area pastor Adrian Rogers was elected as SBC president in Houston, marking the first of successive presidencies by Southern Baptist conservatives who held to the inerrancy of the Bible. During the 1960s and early 1970s, Fields served as president of the Religious Public Relations Council, Associated Church Press and the Baptist Public Relations Association (now Baptist Communicators Association). The BCA … [Read more...]