By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LEESVILLE, La. (LBM) – Blake Frederick was leading the nightly family devotional time in early March when his eight-year-old son, Micah, presented an important request – he wanted to surrender his life to Christ and share his decision through public baptism. Overcome with joy, the family scheduled a meeting with the East Leesville Baptist Church pastoral leadership team and scheduled a date for baptism. However, much like other Louisiana Baptist churches around the state, attendance restrictions from the novel coronavirus pandemic delayed the baptism until a later date. The baptism was rescheduled and fell on Father’s Day. Blake Frederick, whose wife, Heather, is children’s minister at East Leesville Baptist, said he was ecstatic when he saw his son baptized June 21. “It wasn’t until the morning of his baptism that I realized it would be held on Father’s Day,” he told the Baptist Message. “As proud as I was of his obedience to Christ’s command to be baptized, I know that God the Father was even more overjoyed.” Micah Frederick is the fifth new convert, with an additional five more waiting, to participate in baptism at East Leesville Baptist since the church reopened for … [Read more...]
No Phase Three, churches still restricted to 50 percent capacity
By Message Staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana will remain in Phase Two of reopening the state’s economy, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Monday. During a news conference, Edwards said that he had hoped to move into Phase Three on Friday, which would have eased additional restrictions. The state has been under the current order since June 5. Under the order, churches will continue to be restricted to 50 percent capacity, and, a 250 person indoor maximum was added. Edwards said the decision was based upon data from the Louisiana Department of Health showing that new novel coronavirus related cases and hospitalizations have increased statewide. He said the state has seen an increase of hospitalizations in three regions, and ranks seventh out of 23 states across the nation experiencing an increase in positive COVID-19 cases. He added that Louisiana surpassed 50,000 positive cases and 3,000 deaths on Monday. The state’s population, according to the U.S. Census, is estimated to be around 4.6 million. “We have to continue to work to flatten the curve, to keep it flattened and make sure that we are moving in the right direction as it relates to case growth and to hospitalizations,” Edwards said. “I am convinced we … [Read more...]
Basile congregation thankful after fire
By Message Staff BASILE, La. (LBM) – First Baptist Church of Basile is thankful after a recent electrical fire caused only moderate damage and left no one injured. Mike Fontenot, pastor of First Baptist Basile, told the Baptist Message the fire was reported around 6:10 p.m. June 4 by leaders of the church’s Celebrate Recovery ministry who were preparing for their meeting. Fontenot said the fire was started in the church’s food pantry storage room, and clean-up of the facility was completed Wednesday. While the fire damage was covered by insurance, First Basile must replace two refrigerators and one freezer that was used to store items that were distributed by the food pantry ministry. “We are so very grateful to God that we have been spared heavy damage and for all who have shown support through financial gifts and prayers,” Fontenot said. He said he is also thankful for a financial gift from Louisiana Baptists to help with repairs and replacing lost equipment. John Hebert, Louisiana Baptists missions and ministry team director, delivered a check from the state disaster relief fund to Fontenot Monday. “It’s rather unusual that in my 10 years as missions and ministry director we have not had the amount of fires to … [Read more...]
Baptistery waters stir at Stillwater Baptist
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAMMOND, La. (LBM) – Shanika Washington’s life seemed to be spiraling out of control with a marriage in jeopardy and a persistent "me-first" attitude in all her relationsahips. But through a Bible study class at Stillwater Baptist Church in Hammond, Washington discovered that God wanted to be a part of her life, and she welcomed His offer of salvation. Subsequently, she experieced healing from her former attitude, and during a drive-in worship service April 26 she gave a public testimony of her changed heart by being baptized, along with another new believer, in a portable baptistery. “At that time I was apart from him, so I bore nothing,” Washington told the Baptist Message. “But God stepped in and turned my husband and I completely around. Now we live a life in which we are financially stable, our kids are back making good grades and doing very well, and my husband and I are a part of the audio and video ministry at our church. Now I’m a living testimony.” NEW BIRTHS DURING COVID-19 This year, Pastor Elltore Austin has baptized four new converts, including two since the novel coronavirus pandemic. He said the baptisms are a reflection of God’s faithfulness throughout the … [Read more...]
While closed during pandemic, Acadian Baptist Center opens new worship facility
By Message Staff EUNICE, La. (LBM) - Acadian Baptist Center leaders recently celebrated the completion of their first ever worship center. The $3 million, 18,000-sq.-ft. facility was finished May 13, and can accommodate up to 1,000 people. Construction began in April 2019. Camp Director James Newsom said he appreciated the effort led by builder Joey West, a member of First Baptist Church in Pine Prairie, and architect Brodie Ardoin, a member of First Baptist Church in Ville Platte. Many others in the area volunteered to help with the project, Newsom said. “The new worship center at ABC is an amazing miracle,” Newsom told the Baptist Message. “It is humbling to think thousands of young people will be worshipping there for many years to come even after we are long gone impacting our world for Christ.” … [Read more...]
Louisiana evangelist reaches 14 million in global event, 100,000 saved and counting
By Will Hall, Baptist Message Executive Editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Evangelist Sammy Tippit, president of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, trained 2 million Christians in May, primarily via WhatsApp, about how to share the Gospel with friends and family. As a result, millions more tuned in to a weekend evangelistic event broadcast on multiple media platforms in 11 languages, May 29-31. Moreover, organizers around the globe have reported one hundred thousand first-time professions of faith, so far, and they expect that tens of thousands more have been saved. The special one-hour program included a message on Matthew 7:24-27 (The Wise and Foolish Builders) by Tippit, a digitally integrated choir of individuals singing remotely across the globe, music by Jennifer Turner, the wife of country music star Josh Turner, and testimonies by Jay Begbie, pastor of Bethsaida Baptist Church in Many, and Guy Wolcott, a businessman in Portland, Oregon. “The responses that we have received from the broadcast have been wonderful,” Tippit told the Baptist Message. “There are so many hurting and needy people searching the Internet and looking for hope. We have the message that provides the only lasting hope.” MILLIONS … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Healing the divide with Fred Luter and Dennis Watson
By Message Staff NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) - New Orleans pastors Fred Luter and Dennis Watson recently participated in a dialogue about race, relations, respect and restoration. The discussion took place virtually on June 7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPa6gsDlAyM&fbclid=IwAR1eN621YV0YJtvXhE_gyRcNvseTs28-G5anq5zZ7l3ztaSbRnP_cgTKa7A … [Read more...]
How did Louisiana restaurant chain Popeyes get its name?
Louisiana Baptists remain faithful during social, economic storm
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - While many businesses in the state have been hit hard by coronavirus-related closings or reduced operations, a number of Louisiana Baptist congregations have reported remarkable faithfulness by members in financially supporting ministries across the state. Stacy Morgan, an associate with the Louisiana Baptists communications team, said most of the almost 400 pastors he has spoken with since mid-March have reported little to no significant financial hardships. He said creative measures taken to continue worship services, offer online giving platforms as well as the special efforts by pastors to touch the lives of their congregations despite "social distancing" and "stay-at-home" mandates have made a difference. “Church members are seeing first-hand how much their pastors care for them, and the pastors are really desperate to find any way necessary to reach their people,” Morgan told the Baptist Message. “Many churches are concerned about the coming months and the prospect of jobs returning. “However, God's faithfulness thus far has fueled their hope for the future,” he continued. “The recurring theme has been the faithfulness of God and His … [Read more...]
Webber, pastor, LBC servant, goes home to glory
By Message Staff VIDALIA, La. (LBM) - Ralph Webber, whose ministry spanned 70 years, died May 28. He was 89. Born June 3, 1930, in Jonesville, Webber was ordained to preach at 20 years old while attending Louisiana College. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from LC and later earned divinity degrees at the master and doctoral levels with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Throughout the years Webber with his wife, Ann, by his side during their 66 years of marriage, served as pastor of Utility Baptist Church, Jonesville; Sicily Island First Baptist Church; First Baptist Church of LaPlace; Suburban Baptist Church, New Orleans; Vidalia First Baptist Church; Harrisonburg First Baptist Church; and, the Osyka Baptist Church in Mississippi . He also served as interim pastor of the Immanuel Baptist Church, Natchez, Miss., as well as a number of other congregations in Delta, LaSalle, and Ouachita associations. Webber also served as director of missions and ministry with the Louisiana Baptist Convention from May 1981 to February 1997. During that time, he worked with 78 churches in Catahoula, Concordia, LaSalle and Tensas parishes. Funeral services for Webber were held May 31 at First Baptist Vidalia. Webber is … [Read more...]
