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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

ECON 2019 renews focus on reaching ‘next generation’

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COVINGTON – Ed Newton, pastor of the Community Bible Church, San Antonio, Texas, will emphasize reaching the lost of the next generation during Student Night, Jan. 28, at the 2019 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference. The pre-session will begin at 5:30 p.m. in “The Rock” youth building of First Baptist, Covington, and feature a pizza party, games and music by an area youth choir. The main session will follow immediately afterward with music presented by the First Covington choir and a message by Newton. Keith Manuel, evangelism and church growth director for Louisiana Baptists, said Student Night will build on the challenge “to share Christ with others” presented in November during the 2018 Youth Evangelism Celebration in Alexandria. “We are investing in a nationwide youth speaker for churches to come and be part of a large evangelistic event that is absolutely free,” Manuel said. “While we are targeting students, this night is for everyone as we seek a great harvest of the lost.” Newton spoke at Student Night as part of ECON 2017, held at Temple Baptist Church, Ruston, when dozens of students came forward at the invitation. By the time the service ended 34 … [Read more...]

‘Talk of the town’: New facilities, ministry area for Franklin Avenue

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans celebrated a new chapter in ministry Dec. 9 when congregants gathered for the first worship service in their new home, six miles from where they had ministered for 21 years. “It’s the talk of the town,” Pastor Fred Luter told the Baptist Message. “The New Orleans East area is excited about us being here and we are excited as well. It is one of the most populated areas of the city, and we are excited about doing all we can to revitalize the community. The excitement level was so high that we decided to have several weeks of special dedication services in December to celebrate all that God has done through this move.” The new $35 million facility includes a 3,500-seat worship center, a fellowship hall, offices, a kitchen, conference rooms, Sunday school rooms and youth and children’s areas. The property also has 1,200 parking spaces, a dramatic increase from the 25 spots available at its former location, 2515 Franklin Avenue. Averaging nearly 3,100 for morning services, the congregation formerly had to lease a nearby parking lot to accommodate worshippers’ cars on Sundays. “That first Sunday at our new location our … [Read more...]

Kelley to NOBTS grads: Let ‘Yes’ be your guide

By Marilyn Stewart NEW ORLEANS - The "one word" that brought students to seminary must now guide them as graduates, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Chancellor Chuck Kelley told them, Dec. 15, at NOBTS' Leavell Chapel. "'Yes' is the word that brought you to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. 'Yes' is the word I want you to take with you as you depart," Kelley said. "But, I warn you. Not every 'yes' is easy." Kelley reminded graduates they answered "yes" when God called them to seminary knowing the road would be long and difficult. Kelley recalled trying personal times he and wife Rhonda Kelley faced when he came to seminary 43 years ago -- first as a student, then faculty member, and then president. Life turned upside down during Kelley's student days to the point he considered leaving the ministry and joining his father in business, Kelley explained. His father's reminder that God had not rescinded Kelley's call to ministry helped him stay the course, Kelley said. "It was a hard 'yes,'" Kelley said. "But it wasn't our toughest 'yes.'" Kelley went on to describe an unexpected change of direction when he was asked to join the NOBTS faculty following his doctoral graduation. The decision was … [Read more...]

Family, community praying for safe return of missing New Orleans pastor

By Message Staff NEW ORLEANS – An urgent call to prayer has been issued for the safe return of David Plessy, a missing New Orleans pastor whose wife was tragically killed in a carjacking incident Nov. 27. Authorities and family members are pleading for help finding the father of two young children, whose family has already been struck by tragedy once. According to WVUE-TV in New Orleans, Plessy was last seen around 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1 as he left his residence in the 3600 block of Havanna Street in New Orleans. His car was found in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans Tuesday night, and his cell phone was inside the vehicle. Plessy’s disappearance comes a month after his wife, Jeannot, was tragically killed in a carjacking incident in New Orleans. Three teenagers were charged Dec. 1 in connection to her death. Plessy is pastor of the non-denominational Crossover Christian Fellowship in New Orleans, and the father of Nadia Sanchez, a member of Celebration Church, Metairie, and the father-in-law of facilities manager Kristian Sanchez. “Pray for David Plessy's safety,” Celebration Church Lead Pastor Dennis Watson said in an e-mail statement to the Baptist Message. “Pray that if he has been apprehended that he … [Read more...]

McGee’s long, noteworthy LC career wraps up December 31

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE -- In the minds of many people -- many hundreds of people -- Byron McGee is a name synonymous with Louisiana College perhaps because he invested 35 years of his life on the Hill in Pineville. More than that, McGee -- a 1979 LC alumnus -- worked in Louisiana College’s admissions office for more than three decades, also worked in alumni relations, and concluded his tenure with three years as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “In one sense it seems like 35 years have passed, and in another it seems just like yesterday,” said McGee, whose last official day is Dec. 31. “I’ve made some great friends and worked with great colleagues. The people working here now are doing a great job under Dr. Brewer’s leadership.” “The relationships I have made over the years mean the most to me. I met my wife Cay here. All my children went to school here. It’s been a great time. Louisiana College has been my life, and I will cherish the memories very much,” he said. “Byron went from recruiting thousands of students to hundreds of donors,” said Rick Brewer, Louisiana College president. “He’s done a great job. He’s one of the most easy-going people I’ve ever worked with. The past three years of … [Read more...]