By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MONROE (LBM) – An ecumenical ministry to youth offenders has formalized an agreement with the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice and officials at Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe to establish a ministry inside the facility. Now that the memorandum of understanding has been signed, the Louisiana Chapter of Kairos Prison Ministry International can move forward with plans for a three-day retreat and an ongoing mentoring program at the facility. “To get this signed is a major milestone,” said Terry Sant, chairman of the Swanson Advisory Council and a member of the sponsoring church, Cedar Crest Baptist Church in West Monroe. “It’s the first step in creating a relationship between the ministry and the particular institution. “Having reached the agreement, it now leaves the ball back in our court to start gathering volunteers and prepare for a weekend in the fall,” he said following the June 8 meeting to sign the agreement. “After the weekend we will begin a six-month mentoring program one-on-one in a group setting which is necessary to be sure these guys get everything they need to turn their lives around.” Led by more than 30,000 Christian volunteers, Kairos is an ecumenical … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – A noted scholar has published a focused assessment on study notes in the newly published Christian Standard Bible (CSB), saying non-Calvinists “will be disappointed” due to the heavy Calvinistic leaning in some of its comments about passages that address salvation. Adam Harwood, associate professor of theology with the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, described the actual Bible translation as a “theologically conservative resource,” but took issue with the “theological interpretation” of some study notes provided at the bottom of pages, saying, “those who affirm that God loves every person, Christ died for every person, and God desires to save every person will be disappointed.” LifeWay Christian Resources is the publisher of the CSB. LIFEWAY’S VIEW Trevin Wax, Bible and reference publisher for LifeWay, has distributed copies of the newest LifeWay Bible to news media with an accompanying letter calling the translation accurate and readable “without compromise” – a view Harwood does not dispute. But Wax also lauds the study notes developed by “renowned biblical scholars from multiple denominations,” saying the notes reflect “the Bible’s original context,” something Harwood refutes with … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists are invited to recommend candidates for service on state convention boards and committees, and, are asked to submit resolutions for possible consideration by messengers at the 2017 Louisiana Baptist Convention. COMMITTEES The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Committees is conducting its work, Sept. 7, to nominate persons to serve on various state convention committees.  Currently, 17 nominees are needed for service on committees, including: Credentials; Moral and Social Concerns; Nominations; Order of Business; and, Resolutions. Scott Sullivan, First, Haughton, is the Committee on Committees chair, and recommendations should be sent to him, not later than August 18, via email, scott@fbchaughton.org, or through the U.S. Mail: 105 East Washington Avenue, Haughton, LA 71037. BOARDS The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Nominations is beginning its work to fill vacancies on state boards. At this point, 17 nominees are needed to serve on the LBC Executive Board and as trustees of Louisiana College, the Children’s Home and Family Ministries, the Baptist Message, and the Baptist Foundation. Lee Wesley, Community Bible, Baton Rouge, is the committee on nominations chair, and … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Brian, wife Melanie, McAllister is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Jonesboro. Chris Hoyt is the new pastor at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Independence. David Maxwell is the new minister of education & outreach at New Zion Baptist Church, Covington. Waylon McCormick is the new associate pastor of worship at Ouachita Baptist Church, West Monroe. HOMECOMING Lakeshore Baptist Church, Monroe: 63rd anniversary, July 2. Pastor: William L. Smith. Parkview Baptist Church, Alexandria: 75th anniversary, July 9, 10:45 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the service. Special Music: The Sanctuary Quartet. Pastor: David Shaw. Salem Baptist Church, Plain Dealing: 173rd Homecoming Celebration, July 9, Sunday School 10 a.m., Worship Service, 11 a.m. Lunch on the grounds, noon; singing, 1:30 p.m. Special speaker: Ray Huddleston. Pastor: Larry Earhart. REVIVAL United Baptist Church, Jena: Revival, July 9-12. Evangelist: Lyndon Longoria. Pastor: Johnnie Phillips First Baptist Church, Minden: Summer Revival Series, July 9-23. July 9 – Speaker Will Simmons. Worship Leaders: Joe & Jody Nida; July 16 – Speaker: Beau Barton. Worship Leaders: Jeremy & Lexie Scriber; July 23 – Speaker: … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS – The addition of a new faculty member and several curriculum changes were approved by the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary board of trustees’ executive committee June 6. Jeff Audirsch, elected as associate professor of biblical studies in the seminary’s Leavell College, comes to NOBTS from his position as associate professor of Christian studies at Shorter University in Rome, Ga., and from prior service on the faculty of Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Ga., where he was named the 2010-2011 Outstanding Teacher. In action related to curriculum, the board approved course content filling out the requirements for the Christian leadership major in the doctor of philosophy program. Approved in the October 2016 board of trustees meeting, the new major is designed to prepare students to lead in local congregations, teach at colleges, universities and seminaries or serve in administrative or leadership roles within the various boards, entities and commissions of the Southern Baptist Convention. “Christian leadership is one of the areas about which students express the greatest interest,” NOBTS Steve Lemke said. “This new Ph.D. major, available either in person … [Read more...]

HAUGHTON – First Baptist Church in Haughton will host a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief training session July 28-29. The two-day training will begin at 5:30 p.m. July 28, with training for those wanting to serve on a feeding unit. Supper is provided. Liz Landers, a chef for notable Hollywood celebrities who volunteered on the feeding unit during the March 2016 floods in northwest Louisiana, will lead the feeding training. The following day, training for mud-out and chainsaw team volunteers will begin at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast is provided for those participants. Marvin Leleux, pastor of Springhill Baptist Church in Ringgold, will lead the mud-out training. Toby Wilemon, a commercial construction superintendent and member of First Baptist Church in Blanchard, will head up the chainsaw training. Wilemon was among those Disaster Relief volunteers who helped with efforts to assist homeowners in DeSoto Parish clean up after storms caused damage in the month of June in the area. Registration costs vary. First-time attendees will pay $28, which includes a background check, training materials, ID badge, hat, shirt and lunch. Those renewing their certification will pay $13, which includes a background check and ID … [Read more...]

By Message Staff How do you plan to celebrate the July 4th holiday weekend? Here is what several of our Louisiana Baptist churches have on tap. Let us know what your church is planning to do by emailing Brian Blackwell at brian@baptistmessage.com Riverview Baptist Church has placed 300 American flags to coincide with its July 4th holiday celebration. The flags will go hand in hand with their patriotic musical July 1 at 6 p.m. followed by free bar-b-que, a cake auction and fireworks on the schedule. Temple Baptist Church in Ruston will host its Faith and Freedom July 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. The 20th annual patriotic celebration will feature the Temple choir and orchestra and a special guest artist, Brothers in Christ. A fireworks show will follow the second day’s performance. Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville will celebrate with a service July 2 at 7 p.m. and a hot dog and dessert fellowship afterwards. The evening will end with a fireworks display at 9 p.m. First Baptist Church in Jonesboro will host a patriotic music program July 2 at 10:30 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the program. Alto Baptist Church will celebrate God and Country Day July 2 at 10:30 a.m. The day will include a concert by Brothers … [Read more...]