By Message Staff WOODWORTH – The message was a simple one … God can use anyone. In the midst of a busy week at Girls Mission Camp, missionary Star Williams* asked campers to be still and think for a few moments about their passions. Moments later, Williams told the students, first through sixth graders, how they could then use their passions to help bring people to Christ. “All of these things God can use for His glory to help people know about Jesus,” Williams said. “God can use you. Don’t let anyone say to you that you can’t do it, because you can. We want you to be obedient. Whatever God wants you to do, just say yes to Him.” The camp at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center drew 242 campers, adult and staff from 24 churches. Its theme was “Dive In,” based on Luke 10:27-28. Campers participated in missions, crafts, fishing, paddleboats, hiking, a Luau, ropes course, swimming and Bible study sessions. They also heard inspiring messages from camp pastor Joe Wood and took part in worship led by Molly Jo Johnson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P04wfu6p9V4 By camp’s end, six campers accepted Christ and another three re-dedicated their lives to Jesus. Jess Archer, children and youth missions education … [Read more...]

Another successful year of Cross Camp wrapped up Friday, July 21 with more than 55 decisions – 45 first time salvations, six surrendering to the ministry, and four rededications -- among the 641 teens and youth ministers. There were 23 Louisiana churches that brought campers. Once again the week-long camp was held at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. Started in 1992 by a group of ministers in northeast Louisiana, the camp offers students a chance to experience God, work and grow closer together and turn their "wreckage," or sin, over to God. Camp Pastor Kirk Jones of Fellowship Baptist Church in Prairieville based his message on the camp’s theme of Thread. The theme is based on a message by W.A. Criswell, the charismatic, conservative pastor who led First Baptist Dallas for more than 50 years, and follows the Bible from the beginning to the birth of Jesus. The week-long camp offered campers Bible study, worship, small group activities and ‘wreck’ activities. Holding it at ETBU allowed campers a chance to stay on campus in the dorms and eat in the cafeteria. The executive staff met at the conclusion of the camp (Saturday, July 22) and set the dates of July 16-21 for next year’s camp. It will be … [Read more...]

By Message Staff NEW ORLEANS - Just a few months away from completing a renovation to its buildings that were heavily damaged by a tornado in February, Suburban Baptist Church has suffered yet another setback - theft inside its worship center. Multiple times in the past six days, burglars have broken into the worship center and stolen office and construction equipment, according to Pastor Jeffery Friend. But just like the tornado that tried to destroy the church’s spirit, Friend said a theft will not stop the congregation from moving back into its buildings. "I truly believe wherever God is showing out, you should look for Satan to show up," Friend said. "I'm not surprised bad things have started to happen. In fact I anticipated it. But God has been doing amazing things at and for Suburban." Among the items stolen were three computers, two televisions, two printers, power tools and shingles. Until they can install a security system in two weeks, the church also has to pay $1,800 for overnight armed security guards. Friend said an investigation by the New Orleans Police Department is ongoing. An EF-3 tornado touched down in eastern New Orleans Feb. 7, heavily damaging Southern Baptist Church's facilities. More … [Read more...]

By Alex Sibley, Southwestern Communications BATON ROUGE - As both a crew member at Trader Joe's and a minister at Progression Church in Baton Rouge, Joe Handy essentially gets to pastor two locations - his "Trader Joe's campus" and his "Progression Church campus." At Trader Joe's, a grocery store chain, Handy rubs shoulders with nearly 85 coworkers from a wide range of social, cultural, political and spiritual backgrounds, most of whom have little to no interest in visiting a church. "So I try to pastor them right where they are," Handy says. "I'm the only pastor some of them have. I love that I have opportunity to bring church to them. "As they get to know me," he continues, "trust builds, and I get to play the role of friend and pastor in their lives," though they sometimes never realize it. It's fun seeing the worlds of Progression Church and Trader Joe's collide like that." Handy is one of four bi-vocational ministers on Progression Church's five-person pastoral team. Lead pastor Brian Crain is Progression's only full-time staff member, though he did begin as a bi-vocational minister. Needless to say, bi-vocational ministry is an important part of Progression's DNA, paving the way for avenues of ministry that … [Read more...]

Baton Rouge — Louisiana Family Forum has announced the release of their 2017 Legislative Scorecard. This resource provides a tool for the state’s residents to evaluate members of the Legislature on important policy votes. “LFF chose key votes during the 2017 regular and special sessions of the Legislature that provide a snapshot of Louisiana lawmakers' political values with regards to life, liberty, and limited government,” said Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills. “We encourage Louisiana residents to use this tool to analyze how their lawmakers represented their family’s values.” Louisiana Family Forum will honor those legislators who had an exemplary voting record at its annual Legislative Awards Gala Sept. 21 at The Church Baton Rouge. The gala provides a chance for the public to celebrate legislators alongside the pastors, churches and families who assisted in writing this chapter of Louisiana history. This year, the organization will honor 26 state senators and representatives as “Outstanding Family Advocates” and 52 legislators will be named “Family Advocates.” The 2017 Legislative Scorecard is also available online. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer EUNICE – Standing before a room full of 400 students inside the Acadian Baptist Center gymnasium, Brad Lewter issued a challenge during the final moments of Camp Fuego to shine a light in their hometown and school. “Things that make you more like Jesus, give yourself over to those things,” said Lewter, camp pastor for the week. “What will flow out of that is a love for your neighbor, for your classmates. Find that person who doesn’t have a lot of friends and be that light.” Lewter’s message during Middle School Week at Acadian Baptist Center came on the heels of a six-week run there for Camp Fuego. Camp director Jeff Luce estimates about 2,500 middle and high school students attended one of five camps and another 200 came to the children’s camp. Since the camp, now in its 20th year, moved to Acadian Baptist Center in 2011, it has grown by leaps and bounds from its first year, when 250 students attended. This year, 80 campers made a first-time decision to follow Christ, 70 rededicated their life to Christ and 62 surrendered to Christian ministry. Luce said the investment by the massive volunteer staff helps build an atmosphere where campers are willing to open up to them … [Read more...]

EUNICE – Since becoming a camp in 1975, Acadian Baptist Center has experienced significant changes, both physically and spiritually. During its first year of operation, 3,000 people attended its events and three full-time people were on staff. This year, Camp Director James Newsom estimates attendance to be around 13,000 and its staff made up of six full-time, 25 part-time and many volunteers. Gone are the days when camping was limited to mainly staying in tents or bunk houses. Amenities at its camp now include a motel and cabins. The spiritual impact, Newsom said, has been even more significant. A total of 7,114 have accepted Christ as their personal Savior, 5,886 have recommitted their lives to Him and 581 have surrendered to full-time ministry. "It’s amazing what’s God’s done," he said. "It’s been a God thing.”   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p88DXm70jx0 … [Read more...]