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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

‘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 His father's reminder that God had not rescinded Kelley's call to ministry helped him stay the course, Kelley said.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...]

LBC Executive Director Search Committee seeks candidates

ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- The Louisiana Baptist Convention’s 15-member Executive Director Search Committee held its first meeting Nov. 27, focusing on prayer but also completing the first actions of official business, according to a press release from the committee. Members elected Waylon Bailey, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington, as chair, and began developing a profile of the type of candidate they are seeking to lead Louisiana Baptists. Bailey, who also is president of the LBC Executive Board, told the Baptist Message the committee understands the near “impossibility” of pleasing everyone. But he said, “We want to do our very best for the future of our state. Our state needs Louisiana Baptists in order to be its very best.” The committee will nominate a successor to LBC Executive Director David Hankins, who announced Nov. 2 his plans to retire June 30, 2019. The LBC Executive Board will vote on the nominee, as stated in the state convention’s Articles of Incorporation. Bailey said the process for Southern Baptists to recommend candidates, or, for interested individuals to apply, is a simple one. Names and resumes should be emailed to Bailey at lbcexedirsearch@gmail.com or sent via postal mail to “Dr. … [Read more...]