By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Amid a year of COVID-19, multiple hurricanes and political turmoil, hope and resolve were consistent themes shared at the Louisiana Baptist Convention. STEVE HORN Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn praised messengers to the 2020 LBC Annual meeting of churches for their resiliency amid a difficult year. “COVID, political division exacerbated by racial division, devastating hurricanes and the accompanying economic disruptions have tested us,” Horn said during his executive director’s report, Nov. 10. “As one social media meme put it, ‘In Louisiana, we are tough, but we are tired.’ “But, if 2020 has proven anything, this year has proven that we, in Louisiana, are a resilient bunch,” he continued. “And, I am thankful.” Horn said Louisiana Baptists were faithful in giving, gathering and sharing the Gospel despite COVID-19 and multiple hurricanes. Though most events sponsored by the state missions services team were canceled during the summer, Horn said efforts to share the Gospel did not wane. The communication team used the “Here for You” multimedia campaign to reach 95 percent of television viewer homes in the state -- who … [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 Eric Zimmer is the interim pastor at Ida Baptist Church, Ida. Lance Rolland resigns as pastor of Westwood Baptist Church, Keithville and David Venable is the interim pastor. REVIVAL Serenity Baptist Church, Tickfaw: Revival, November 18-20, 6:30 p.m. each night. Evangelist: Gary Bowlin. Pastor: Keith Wagner. Social Springs Baptist Church, Ringgold: Harvest Sunday, November 22, Evangelist: Bill Britt. Pastor: James Hester. Faith Baptist Church, Baker: Revival, December 6-9. Evangelist: Bill Britt. Pastor: Arnold Austin. LAGNIAPPE Rocky Springs Baptist Church, Lisbon: Seeking a bivocational music leader. If interested in this position, please call 318.680.7419 for further details. Brushy Creek Baptist Church, Bancroft: The Erwins in concert, November 20, 7 p.m. at the Hyatt High School … [Read more...]
FEMA, SBA extend deadlines to Nov. 27
ALEXANDRIA, LA (LBM) - U.S. Sen. John Kennedy has announced important information for Louisianans seeking help in the wake of Hurricane Laura. The Small Business Administration has extended its deadline to Nov. 27 for physical loan applications (property damage to home or business). Submit completed loan applications to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. For additional information, contact the SBA by phone, (202) 205-6734. Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency also has extended its deadline to Nov. 27. Homeowners and renters can apply for federal assistance, which includes help for temporary housing, rental assistance and repair or replacement of damaged property. Grants may be available as well to help with other expenses such as medical and dental care, childcare, funeral and burial costs, replacing essential household items, moving and storage, vehicle repairs and cleanup. Louisianans can determine whether they live in a designated parish and obtain other information through the FEMA helpline, 800.621.3362 (TTY 800.462.7585), and at disasterassistance.gov. … [Read more...]
LC sets preview day Nov. 14
By Aaron Quartemont, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, La. (Wildcats Media) - Louisiana College will host the first in-person preview day of 2020 on Nov. 14. Preview Day, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., will offer prospective students a tour of the school’s campus and provide interview opportunities with professors. Prospective students also will hear from current students and learn more about student clubs and organizations, athletics and residence life. The school's two other preview days this year were virtual. All activities will adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. “Following on the success of a Virtual Preview Day this past October, we trust prospective students and their families will join us Nov. 14 to learn more about LC’s distinctive student learning experience,” LC President Rick Brewer said. “We also encourage individual campus visits by prospective students seeking more information and connection with faculty, current students, coaches, and financial aid.” All students who register will receive free Chick-fil-A and LC merchandise. Of those who attend, two students will receive a $1,000 scholarship, and students who pre-register for Preview Day will have the $25 application fee waived. For more information on how … [Read more...]
Edwards keeps Phase 3 restrictions, files lawsuit against attempts to overturn
By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana will remain in Phase 3 of reopening the state’s economy until at least Dec. 4, even as Gov. John Bel Edwards’ COVID-19 restrictions are being challenged in court. Edwards has been at odds with House Republicans, who have asked for easing of restrictions and on Oct. 23 65 representatives signed a petition that called for the governor to suspend his order. A hearing is scheduled Nov. 12 to determine whether the restrictions and mask mandate should be overturned. State Attorney General Jeff Landry will represent House Speaker Clay Schexnayder in court. "The Governor not only rejected attempts by one of his co-equal branches of government to provide input and oversight, but he also ignored the checks and balances that underpin our government,” Landry said in an Oct. 29 statement after the court filing. “He then filed a lawsuit in an attempt to gain extraordinary powers unfounded in law. But today, the people’s representatives responded with a legal petition of their own to ensure the Governor follows the rule of law. And by following the law, the people will get their seat at the table. After all: the powers authorized by the Louisiana Constitution, as enshrined … [Read more...]
William Smith to be nominated as LBC 2VP
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – William Smith, pastor of Lakeshore Baptist Church in Monroe, will be nominated for the office of second vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2020 LBC Annual Meeting, Nov. 10, at Louisiana College’s Guinn Auditorium. Neil Everett, pastor of First Baptist Church in Calhoun, plans to nominate Smith for the position. Smith is the only announced candidate for the office. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT Everett said Smith has demonstrated a faithfulness to Christ and the Word of God while serving 43 years as pastor of the Lakeshore congregation. “He loves the church and has personified servant leadership,” Everett told the Baptist Message. “No matter the position, William takes his responsibilities seriously and serves with a humble, Christ-like spirit. It is an honor to nominate Brother William Smith to serve our Convention as second vice president.” BY THE NUMBERS The database of the Annual Church Profile shows that in 2019 Lakeshore Baptist Church contributed $38,237 for cooperative missions and ministries through the Cooperative Program, 8.99 percent of undesignated receipts totaling $425,024 from Sept. 1, 2019-Aug. 31, 2020. The … [Read more...]
Love Life Amendment passes
By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – On Tuesday, 62 percent of Louisiana voters said "yes on #1," the ballot measure known as the Love Life Amendment, which now adds language to the state constitution to prevent action that has taken place in 12 other states, In each of those cases, an activist state court discovered an inherent right to abortion not specifically stated in any of the respective constitutions. using creative interpretations of a general phrase such as "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The actual language of the constitutional amendment reads “To protect human life, nothing in this constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.” The amendment originated with overwhelming votes of approval in the Louisiana House and Senate in 2019. The LBC Executive Board endorsed the measure last year and months later messengers to the Louisiana Baptist Convention adopted a resolution in support of the constitutional change. Months of work by Louisiana Baptist leaders, state legislators, Louisiana Right to Life staff and other pro-life supporters resulted in the strong pro-life statement in the final tally. Will Hall, director of the LBC … [Read more...]
LC honors long relationship with city of Alexandria at annual Founder’s Day ceremonies
By Staff, Baptist Message PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana College honored its long-standing relationship with the city of Alexandria during the annual Founders Day celebration Oct. 29 by unveiling a historical marker in front of the building that bears the community’s name. During a special ceremony, Alexandria Mayor Jeff Hall and Chief of Staff Susan Broussard joined school leaders at Alexandria Hall, a building that houses administrative and staff offices and several academic departments. When it was constructed in 1920, the cities of Alexandria and Pineville jointly contributed $100,000 of the $325,000 needed to complete the project. “I think it’s important for us to always be mindful of the history, as well as people who have come before us,” LC President Rick Brewer said. “And that we stand on the shoulders, in a sense, of those who have come before us, who have paid the price, who have sacrificed.” Hall added that the college’s presence has made central Louisiana a better place to live and work. He referenced a 2018 study by the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (LAICU), which recorded that LC generated more than $35 million in goods and services, $13 million in new household … [Read more...]
Holden Matthews, confessed St. Landry church arsonist, sentenced to 25 years in federal prison
David Jeffreys to be nominated as LBC 1VP
By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA (LBM)— David Jeffreys, associate pastor of the Highland Baptist Church in New Iberia, will be nominated for first vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2020 annual meeting. David Denton, pastor of the Highland Baptist Church in New Iberia, will nominate Jeffreys and he sent an endorsing statement to the Baptist Message, Oct. 27, highlighting Jeffreys’s “years of ministry experience” and “wisdom” as well as his “heart for Louisiana Baptists.” The LBC annual meeting schedule has been abbreviated to a single day, Nov. 10, 12:45-5 p.m., in Guinn Auditorium on the campus of Louisiana College in Pineville. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT Denton noted that he has known Jeffreys since high school in Slidell, adding that they were roommates at Louisiana College. “David took his first ministry position as youth pastor while a student at Louisiana College and he has been serving the local church ever since,” Denton said. “I have been privileged to observe David in his role as associate pastor at Highland Baptist Church where we have served together for the last 14 years,” Denton added. “David has led with strong conviction at Highland and has modeled … [Read more...]
