By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ST. GABRIEL – The newest campus of Celebration Church, located in St. Gabriel, celebrated its grand opening in style June 11, witnessing the baptism of three new believers, all part of a special “All In” weekend across the nine campuses of the combined congregation that spans Baton Rouge, New Orleans and the Northshore area. Held June 10-11, the weekend saw 137 people participate in believer’s baptism -- some scheduled already, and others taking place in response to the sermons presented that day. The event was promoted heavily by Dennis Watson, pastor of the Metairie campus, and the campus pastors on his staff. Leading up to the baptism weekend, Watson and other pastors led a sermon series on baptisms and reached out to the multisite congregation and the community about the biblical basis for baptism through social media, Life Groups, worship service announcements and e-mail blasts. ST. GABRIEL A crowd of 109 cheered as each of the three St. Gabriel converts declared their faith in Christ and were submerged in a portable baptistery. Tiffany Gomez was among the first that day. She told the Baptist Message that her decision to be baptized was the culmination of a journey … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Frances Clark stands amazed at one of God’s miracles. A Scott Brame Middle School lead teacher, in Alexandria, Clark witnessed first-hand God’s power and love May 10, during a school field day when 58 students accepted Christ. The nearly daylong celebration, sponsored by the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes club and attended by nearly 500 students, was filled with activities, with 25 volunteers from Philadelphia Baptist Church’s Horseshoe Drive campus cooking food, leading games and competitions, and helping students make crafts. Students also were offered opportunities to hear a brief Gospel presentation at a booth featuring Harley Davidson motorcycles and at another station where colorful bracelets were made. ENDURING IMPACT Nearly two months later, Clark still marvels how God used members of PBC at Horseshoe Drive to bring about a harvest of young souls and sow seeds of spiritual change on campus. “God is up to something big,” Clark said. “I hope we can continue this strong bond between the church and school. “For the future of Brame, I can see how, possibly, revival could break out -- because the Lord can use these young people,” she added. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WINNSBORO – Looking across the crowd gathered inside the Sardis Baptist Church worship center, Eddie Rhymes reflected on a fruitful 50 years of ministry in the very place where he first surrendered to Christian ministry, and where his dad was ordained as a deacon. “I am so grateful that so many came here today to join me in celebrating Jesus and the work He has done through me,” Rhymes said. “And to have this time in the same building where I made my profession of faith and commitment to the ministry brought back some precious memories. “Someone used the phrase a half-century of service and that really sounded a lot longer than 50 years to me,” he continued. “I have worked with some wonderful men and women through the years and I am so grateful to God and to those I have served on His behalf.  I look forward to continuing to serve Him in the years to come. “It’s overwhelming to think I’ve been at this for 50 years,” he said. “When you start out as an 18 year old preaching you never dream you would be still at it 50 years later. I look back at it and know I’m so blessed to preach at so many churches and help them with my ongoing ministry. The special day included a reception, … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message ALEXANDRIA (LBM)--Momentum is building for what likely will be the largest joint evangelistic effort in the state among Louisiana Baptist churches, according to Keith Manuel, Louisiana Baptists evangelism associate. Manuel said 536 churches already have signed up, as of July 6, to participate in the Harvest, Louisiana Baptists’ campaign to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in the state. If the goal of at least 700 churches is reached, it would be the most churches who have participated together at one time in a combined evangelism effort across the state. “Every church can participate to the degree they are capable,” Manuel told the Baptist Message. “All of us should be praying for the lost, preparing to share our faith with our friends, participating and encouraging others through Bible study and bringing others into a family of faith. It’s our ongoing work,” he said. According to previous news reports, last year was spent sharing the vision with pastors and developing plans with them. This year, more churches are signing up, and statewide evangelism training is happening even while different evangelistic events are taking place. Meanwhile, 2018 is dedicated for a … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM)—Although the state budget dominated the 2017 Louisiana legislative session, Louisiana Baptists scored dramatic victories on moral and social concerns, including: promotion of right to life issues; protection of children from exposure to online pornography; and, prevention of the creation of a special class of transgender rights. The success in pushing through these bills and resolutions, and in some cases defeating proposed legislation, was a result of working with faithful Louisiana Baptists serving as lawmakers for the state as well as coordinating among like-minded conservatives to rally votes in committees and on the floor of the House and Senate, according to Will Hall, director of the office of public policy for Louisiana Baptists. “We were blessed to work with individuals like Senator Beth Mizell, a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Franklinton, who championed the rescue and protection of children from sexual exploitation and human trafficking, and, also pushed through restrictions to prevent a minor from obtaining an abortion without parental consent,” Hall told the Baptist Message. “Representative Rick Edmonds, a retired Louisiana Baptist pastor, worked … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Mike (wife Jessica) Fontenot is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Basile. Marty Black has resigned as Director of Missions for the North Central Baptist Association to become the new pastor of New Chapel Hill Baptist Church, West Monroe. Tim Robinson is the new pastor at Victory Baptist Church, Walker. Blake Hoffpauir is the new pastor at St. Landry Baptist Church. Scott Mercer is the new camp director at Camp Living Waters, Loranger. Bill (wife Kathleen) Lott is the new pastor at Ferry Lake Baptist Church. Sklyar Hollis is the youth and children director at First Baptist Church Vivian. Josh Cagle resigned as pastor at Red River Baptists Church, Benton. Billy Pierce is the interim pastor at Red River Baptists Church, Benton. HOMECOMING Pisgah Baptist Church, Florien: Homecoming Celebration, July 30, no Sunday School, Worship Service 10:30 a.m.- noon. Potluck meal will follow the service. Speaker: Hoy Leach, former pastor. Pastor: C.M. Kelly. First Baptist Church, Princeton: Homecoming Celebration, July 23, 10:30 a.m. Guest Speaker: Bill Britt. Pastor: Darrell Cooper. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Minden: Summer Revival Series, July 9-23. July 23 – Speaker: Chris Fleming. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Celebrating the 200th church started in the state since 2010, Louisiana Baptists Executive Director David Hankins challenged and thanked church planters, urging them to not flag in their zeal and encouraging them with appreciation for the souls that have been saved because of their work to share the Gospel. Hankins made his remarks July 12 at a reception at the state convention’s ministry center in Alexandria. “I want to encourage you to institutionalize your churches,” Hankins exhorted. “Sometimes the word ‘institution’ gets a bad rap – interpreted to mean ‘staid, lifeless, cold, dead and unmoving,’” he said. “But I think ‘institution’ is a good word. It says something about strength, substance, dependability, safety, character and longevity. “That’s the kind of church I want you to plant,” Hankins continued, speaking to the group of church planters in attendance. “I want you, by God’s grace, to build a church that’s an institution, that people would look at that place where you gather for ministry and say, ‘That Baptist church is an institution of this town. We can count on it. It’s going to be there.’” “In 10 years, if the Lord hasn’t returned, and we … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE -- Louisiana College announced in December 2015 a $100K donor challenge from an alumnus who wanted others to join his efforts in underwriting campus beautification projects. Alumni and friends of LC responded, but only reached the halfway mark. After prayer and consideration, alumnus Don Hill and his wife Terry stepped up with the remaining $50,000, thus completing the $100K challenge. “This gift is transformational for the campus and helps build the spirit of community,” said Rick Brewer, president of LC. “I am profoundly grateful for the philanthropy of Don and Terry Hill. They have invested in curb appeal at LC, which is the third most significant consideration of college-bound students. While we are thankful for how the Hills’ gift will improve our campus, we are even more enthused by their example and the unified heart that inspires them.” The Hills already demonstrated their generosity toward LC when Don joined LC’s Board of Visitors in 2015 to support a scholarship fund that goes wholly and solely to qualified students. Don -- a 1964 summa cum laude alumnus of LC -- also served as Student Government Association President. His gift will fulfill a long-time goal of LC’s SGA … [Read more...]