By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – When Brandon Penton was pastor of First Baptist Church, Archibald, and accompanied his students to Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in 2021, he did not imagine that one day he would become director of the camp. “We just built a relationship with the camp and, when the job came up, I applied,” Penton told the Baptist Message. “I love the opportunity just to serve individuals and in the hopes of serving them, to strike up spiritual conversations that allow them to respond to the Gospel. It’s important to meet people where they are and create an avenue for spiritual conversations.” Penton, who was named the camp director in early February, has served as recreation and activities director of the camp since 2022. In that role, Penton supervised recreation programs, recruitment of summer staff and marketing. A native of Pearl River, Penton accepted Christ as His Lord and Savior at age 16 during a “See You At The Pole” rally in his hometown. A year later, he surrendered to a call to vocational ministry. Penton, who holds degrees from Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, said he and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – For the past 19 years, Jeff Cook has been the point man for compassion ministry in Louisiana Baptist life. Cook, who retired Feb. 9 as the Louisiana Baptist compassion ministry strategist, said he was honored to help further the Gospel through ministries that met a physical need and opened up the door for conversations about a much greater need. “It’s been a privilege to serve Louisiana Baptist churches and ministries and help them to do work of the ministry across the state,” Cook told the Baptist Message. “The relationships formed through the years are really meaningful and I’m sure many of those relationships will continue. “Compassion ministry is defined as meeting every man’s needs so you can build trust and share the Gospel and connect people to the local church,” he continued. “Compassion ministry is a key part of evangelism in how it offers opportunities for the Gospel to be shared.” CALLED Cook’s journey began as a nine-year-old when he accepted Christ while attending a church in Houston, Texas. But his call to ministry did not occur until he was working as a sales representative at Xerox as a young adult. During the next 30 … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Five Louisiana Baptist pastors joined seven other ministers from various denominations and ethnicities for a one-day pulpit swap that created a sense of unity among churches in the Alexandria-Pineville area, Jan. 14, organizers told the Baptist Message. Nathan Martin, pastor of Christian Challenge Worship Center, a non-denominational church in Pineville, and a coordinator for the pulpit swap, said this was the first time that he recalls when so many central Louisiana churches of various denominations and ethnicities traded pastors for one Sunday. In addition to Louisiana Baptists, participating churches included Assemblies of God and non-denominational congregations. Each pastor agreed to preach a message from Matthew 9:35-38, respect the tradition of the church to whom they preached and decline any financial compensation from the host congregation, according to Martin. Since March 2023, the 12 churches have joined together for worship services and a monthly outreach to the community in conjunction with Time to Revive, a Richardson, Texas-based organization that travels throughout the nation and partners with local churches to further the Kingdom. … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Tre LeMalle is the new Elevate worship leader at Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport. Jeff Segner has retired as Associate Pastor at Springs of Grace, Shreveport. Brandon Penton is the new Director of Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center, Woodworth. Waylon McCormick has served the past 29 years as a music minister but will now be transitioning to new church responsibilities at Ouachita Baptist Church, West Monroe. Hugh Hodge is the new worship and youth pastor at Ouachita Baptist Church, West Monroe. Katie Gordy is the new children’s minister at North Church, Bastrop. Liz Pospisil has retired after serving for the last 21 years as Longview Baptist Church’’s secretary. HOMECOMING/ANNIVERSARY Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church, … [Read more...]

By LCU News NASHVILLE (LCU News) – Students from Louisiana Christian University’s Convergence Media and Theatre programs earned several awards at this week’s National Religious Broadcasters Convention. The students competed in the convention’s iNRB collegiate division, which includes other colleges from across the United States. LCU placed in the following categories: 12-Hour News Challenge, First Place – Victoria Watson and Carmen Taffi. 12-Hour Audio Challenge, Second Place – Lexi Hubbard and Korey Kincade. 24-Hour Film Challenge, Second Place – Cayden Walls, Caleb Cole, Camdyn Fehr and Olivia Huffman. … [Read more...]

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University will hold its annual spring revival series, Feb. 27-29, at 11 a.m. in Guinn Auditorium. John Fream, pastor of Cypress Baptist Church in Benton, will base his messages on Galatians 5:16–25 each day. Elevate and Voices, LCU’s musical ensembles, will lead worship. The revival services are free and open to the public. … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff PELICAN, La. (LBM) – Sixth through 12th grade girls will be reminded how God treasures them during the upcoming Teen Girl Retreat, March 15-16, hosted by the Clara Springs Baptist Encampment, the Baptist Message has learned. “I’m excited about what God has in store for the first Teen Girl Retreat,” Erin Jones, Louisiana Baptist children and youth missions education strategist, told the Baptist Message. “Our heart for this event is for girls to know how truly treasured they are by God. The creator of the universe loves them. He created them for such a special purpose.” Samantha LaRocque and Andrea Bourgeois, founders of “Holy Restored Ministry,” will be the keynote speakers. They will share about the importance of mental health awareness and provide coping skills from a biblical perspective. The event also will feature a pajamas, popcorn and pamper party, times of worship, missions moments, and breakout sessions. March 1 is the registration deadline. The retreat will start on Friday, 6 p.m. (check-in from 4:30-5:30 p.m.) and end Saturday, 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Teen Girl Retreat website. … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff BENTON, La. (LBM) – Law enforcement responded, Feb. 19, to an incident involving a powdery substance on an envelope that was sent to Cypress Baptist Church. According to KSLA-12 in Shreveport, law enforcement was on church property and an investigation by the FBI was underway. KTBS-3 in Shreveport reported that the FBI was investigating a powder substance that arrived on an envelope at the church on Monday. The church offices were evacuated and a Louisiana state police HazMat unit then investigated. Johnson's wife, Kelly, is a counselor and has an office at the church. She was not in the area at the time. Griffin Neal, spokesman for House Speaker Johnson, released this statement to the Baptist Message: “Earlier today, Speaker Johnson was made aware of a suspicious package sent to his home church in Louisiana. Speaker Johnson and the Johnson family thank U.S. Capitol Police, the FBI, the Louisiana State Police and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office for taking swift action and handling the situation professionally. As the investigation is ongoing, we will refer all further questions to law enforcement handling this matter.” Cypress Baptist Pastor John Fream said the church was not … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff New Orleans, La. (LBM) -- Rhonda Kelley, wife of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President-Emeritus Chuck Kelley and a mainstay in women’s ministry across the nation, passed Feb. 17 after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 72. “Yesterday was the worst day of my life, but the best day ever for my beloved. I will take that deal 100 percent of the time,” wrote Dr. Chuck Kelley on X (formerly Twitter). “Five years after her cancer journey began, Rhonda stepped into eternity about the time we usually had morning coffee. I grieve. She celebrates. God is wise and good. “Along with the entire NOBTS and Leavell College family, we mourn the loss of our eighth first lady,” NOBTS President Jamie Dew said in a statement on the seminary’s website. “Dr. Rhonda Kelley served with grace, dignity, and compassion for over 23 years at our wonderful school. Her love for her husband and her Savior were a source of encouragement to us all. This is indeed, a very sad day for all of us, but we rejoice in the full assurance that we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, standing confident that we will see her again in glory.” WOMEN’S MINISTRY PIONEER According to a news release from the NOBTS website, … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Three Louisiana Baptist couples are among the runners-up for the distinction of longest-married couples in the state, released by the Louisiana Family Forum on Valentine's Day: Burl and Mary Clark, members of East Jena Baptist Church; William and Barbara Patterson, members of Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport; and Bill and Hazel Edmonson, members of Calvary Baptist Church, Merryville. Louisiana Family Forum is a faith-based think tank that advocates for pro-family, pro-life, First Amendment and limited government public policies. Based on submissions LFF received, Ira and Margery Milan of New Orleans were named the longest married couple (82 years). The Milans and ten runners-up were honored with a proclamation from Governor Jeff Landry, a Ralph’s Market king cake, and induction into LFF’s 2024 Marriage Hall of Fame: -- Burl and Mary Clark, Jena, 77 years -- Lloyd and Audrey Schroeder, Jefferson, 77 years -- Leland and Gussie Lacaze, Robeline, 77 years -- Marion and Jean Hess, New Orleans, 76 years -- Paul and Yvonne Wilson, Morgan City, 76 years -- Bill and Hazel Edmonson, Merryville, 75 years -- Richard and Geraldine Van Tiem, Shreveport, … [Read more...]