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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Richard Blackaby heads LC’s God in the Workplace conference

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE (LCNews) – Louisiana College will host a “God in the Workplace” conference March 19-20 led by Richard Blackaby. The March 19 session will be in the Martin Performing Arts Center at 6 p.m., and is free and open to the public. Additional keynoters include Doug Hunter of Doug Hunter, LLC, and two local businessmen: Dallas Hixson of Hixson Automotive Group and Jeff Draughon of Draughon and Bollinger, LLC. Son of Henry Blackaby - author of “Experiencing God” - Richard is noted internationally for his books, blog, and conferences on several facets of the Christian life that include the intersection of a Christian’s faith and occupation. “When Jesus called the 12 disciples, many of them owned and operated businesses as tradesmen and commercial fishermen,” said Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana College. “And Jesus is still calling business people to follow him as disciples regardless of their occupation.” Brewer said the conference will “help everyone from the receptionist to the CEO learn how best to accomplish God’s will at work. No matter how qualified for their jobs, those attending this conference will better understand what the Bible says about integrating their Christian faith and … [Read more...]

Student recalls Graham’s visit to Louisiana College

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Jackie Tucker was a student when Graham came to Louisiana College for the 1951 revival. Even though she doesn’t remember the particulars of his message, Tucker recalls the campus was abuzz with excitement about the fact the popular evangelist was preaching at the school. “We knew that this was a very, very special man,” Tucker recalled. “I can still picture him coming down that hill, with everyone thrilled he was there. Billy Graham’s main theme then was as it was right up to his death – that he wanted people to know Jesus loved them and wanted them to trust in Him so they could join Him in Heaven one day.” Tucker said she is thankful for the legacy Graham left behind and the lessons of integrity he taught during his ministry. “He’s one person that they haven’t found anything that is scandalous,” Tucker said. “When so many celebrities have fallen because of mistakes, you couldn’t find anything to mar his reputation. He was a real gentleman and we were very proud he took the time to come to LC.” … [Read more...]

Tullos pastor recalls encounters with Billy Graham

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HOUMA – Scott Smith was a 13-year-old boy when he sat down with his mother, Penny, to watch a Billy Graham crusade on TV from inside the family’s living room in suburban New Orleans in August 1976. When the famous evangelist invited those inside the stadium in San Diego, Calif., and for TV viewers to accept Jesus -- with the iconic song “Just As I Am” playing in the background -- Smith knew he needed to say, “Yes,” to Jesus. “The Holy Spirit spoke to me and I realized I was lost,” said Smith, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Tullos since 2007. “When they were showing the invitation at the end asking people to give their life to Christ, I did.” The following Sunday, Smith walked across the street to the First Baptist Church in Houma for his baptism. Eight years later, while attending the First Baptist Church in Oloh, Mississippi, Smith accepted the Holy Spirit’s call to vocational ministry, subsequently serving as youth minister and pastor of several churches in Mississippi and Louisiana. Smith never forgot the day he watched Graham on TV and hoped one day he would have the chance to meet the evangelist in person. That encounter came just months after Hurricane Katrina … [Read more...]

Billy Graham shaped inmate’s heart who built his casket

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – David Bacon was one of two inmates who built the casket for Billy Graham and another for his son, Franklin, who is president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Four other Angola inmates built a casket for Graham’s wife, Ruth, who died June 14, 2007. Bacon, who was paroled in December 2016 after serving 29 years in the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, is the only one of the six who still is living. In an exclusive interview with the Baptist Message, Bacon said the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was instrumental in helping him seek forgiveness for a chaotic past life that included an absentee father and a life sentence for a 1988 murder. Bacon said that during a 1993 BGEA-led chapel service conducted on the prison grounds he repented of his sins and put his trust in Jesus. “While incarcerated, with help from ministries like Billy Graham’s, I got to know God, and developed a relationship with God, and, received Jesus as Lord and found love, guidance, acceptance and approval that I didn’t find with my biological father, my earthly father,” Bacon said. “I found it with THE Father.” Bacon was working in the prison carpentry shop … [Read more...]

The greatest legacy of Billy Graham: “The Bible Says”

By Keith Manuel, Evangelism/Church Growth Team Director The death of Billy Graham is grabbing the headlines in print, on a variety of screens, and over radio waves – avenues he used extensively to spread the gospel. Many are reminiscing on the spiritual counsel he provided Presidents of the United States. Others are remembering his impeccable character, especially during the eighties when ministry failures seemed all too common. While these and many other aspects of his ministry will be discussed, Graham’s use of a simple authoritative phrase, may be his greatest legacy – “The Bible says.” If one reads or listens to the sermons of Billy Graham, a consistent pattern will emerge. He reads the Scripture. He shares what some call “The Big Idea of the Sermon.” Next, he addresses what famous people say or how people live relative to the subject. Finally, he makes an appeal, not based on the authority of Billy Graham nor based on the ideas of great men and women. He makes his appeal on the only authority any preacher ever has. Graham cries out with a clear, resonate voice, “The Bible says…” The phrase flowed so freely from Graham that even a secular newspaper, the Chicago Tribune, used it to describe his pulpit … [Read more...]

Billy Graham’s lasting Louisiana legacy

By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA (LBM) — Billy Graham touched the world with the Gospel message for nearly 67 years after he was ordained in 1939. But he left a special imprint on Louisiana from almost the very start of his Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 1950 through the first decade of the 21st century: leading crusades in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and, at Louisiana College in Pineville; comforting victims after Hurricane Katrina; and, paying for the construction of two chapels at Angola prison. Meanwhile, Louisiana Baptists are engaging with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in a project to extend his impact in the state for years to come. EARLY DAYS IN LOUISIANA In 1951, Graham conducted two evangelistic events in the state: April 8-29 in Shreveport, taking one day, April 25, to speak in Pineville at Louisiana College. In anticipation of the Shreveport campaign, M.E. Dodd, pastor emeritus of the First Baptist Church in Shreveport and a past president of the Southern Baptist Convention, wrote in the Baptist Message that 20,000 Louisianans had been gathering in special meetings to bathe the outreach in prayer. He described Graham as “a God intoxicated man” who was calling … [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@baptistsmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. HOMECOMING Cotile Baptist Church, Boyce: 36th Homecoming, March 11, 11 a.m. followed by dinner on the grounds. Paul’s Journey will be in concert at 1:30 p.m. A love offering will be taken only. For more information, contact the church at 318.793.8847 or 318.729.0317. Pastor: Johnny Miller. REVIVAL Open Door Baptist Church, Moss Bluff: Revival, March 11-14, Evangelist: Bill Britt. Pastor: Sonny Simpson. Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Ringgold: Revival, March 11-14. Evangelist: Joe Aulds. Worship: Price Harris. Pastor: Danny Slack. First Baptist Church, Ruston: One Day Revival, March 11, Sunday, 8:45 & 11 a.m. Evangelist: Reggie Thomas. Pastor: Chris Craig. Beauregard Memorial Baptist Church, Longville: Revival, March 11-14. Evangelist: Scotty McDowell, chalk artist. Pastor: Jimmy Clark. New Hope … [Read more...]

D.A. Horton will lead LC’s campus revival March 6-8

By LCNews PINEVILLE (LCNEWS) – Acclaimed speaker, author and church planter D.A. Horton will lead Louisiana College’s campus revival March 6-8. "We are blessed and honored to have someone of DA Horton's caliber to lead our revival," said LC President Rick Brewer. "He is thoroughly prepared academically, theologically and culturally. D.A. is known for his relatable communication skills and passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are praying for D.A. and our LC family, as we also pray that God will light the fires of revival on this campus." Revival services will be held in Martin Performing Arts Center and will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Church groups and the general public is encouraged to attend. Horton serves as Pastor of Reach Fellowship a church plant in North Long Beach, CA & as Chief Evangelist for the Urban Youth Workers Institute (UYWI). Prior to his current roles, he served as an urban church planter/pastor in Kansas City, Missouiri; a National Coordinator of Urban Student Ministries at the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and the Executive Director at ReachLife Ministries, the non-profit ministry of Reach Records. Horton earned his B.S. in Biblical Studies from Calvary Bible College, his Masters … [Read more...]

Louisiana National Guard’s Curtis to speak at First at First

PINEVILLE -- Major General Glenn H. Curtis, Adjutant General for the Louisiana National Guard, will be the guest speaker at the First@First Leadership Luncheon at First Baptist Church Pineville March 5 at noon. “We are honored to have a person of General Curtis’ stature speaking at First@First,” said Stewart Holloway, Pastor of First Baptist Church Pineville. “His prestigious military career and excellent leadership make him a perfect speaker for our leaders!” As Adjutant General, Curtis is responsible for the deployment and coordination of programs, policies and plans affecting the more than 11,500 members of the Louisiana Army and Air National Guard. A native of Central Louisiana and a graduated of Buckeye High School in Deville, he holds a degree in Agriculture Business from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. He is highly decorated for his military service. First@First is a ministry to the business leaders of Central Louisiana. Launched in 2015, the purpose of the monthly luncheon is to provide principles for leadership as well as encouragement and motivation to area leaders. First Baptist Church Pineville wants to help … [Read more...]

Louisiana’s Pourciau to lead search for new IMB president

By Staff, Baptist Message RICHMOND, Va. –During the Feb. 28-March 1 trustee meeting of the International Mission Board, trustee chairman Rick Dunbar named a 16-person president search committee to name a replacement for David Platt who announced Feb. 12 his intention to resign but to stay on board during the search for his successor. The president search committee will be led by Chuck Pourciau, pastor, Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport, Louisiana, committee chair; and Andy Davis, pastor, First Baptist Church, Durham, North Carolina, committee vice-chair. Other members include David Sills, professor, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, president, Reaching & Teaching International Ministries, and, member, Ninth & O Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky; Lisa Lovell, physical therapist, and, member, First Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas; Ken McLemore, missions pastor, Liberty Baptist Church, Hampton, Virginia; Nancy Patrick, licensed school psychologist, professor of special education, and, member, Living Legacy Church, Hershey, Pennsylvania; Will Payne, FCA campus director, Syracuse University, and, member, Central Baptist Church, Syracuse, New York; and, Seth Polk, pastor, Cross Lanes Baptist Church, … [Read more...]