By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer DOWNSVILLE – As a teenager, Jerry Whitman’s main passion in life was aviation. He dreamed of one day flying an aircraft as a full-time job, and Whitman was on track to fulfilling his dream until a revival meeting in 1970. It was there God showed Whitman He wanted him to go on a different flightpath – one which would lead him to pastor Holmesville Baptist Church in Downsville for 40 years. For his service to the Concord Union Baptist Association church, the long-time pastor was recently honored in a surprise celebration service that included a video tribute from Whitman’s friends, presentations by Director of Missions Barry Joyner, Lincoln Parish District Attorney John Belton and an inspirational message by NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore. “That Sunday I was thinking the service would go on as planned like any other time, but when I walked into the worship center I saw a plethora of people, including the astronaut in the suit, and knew something was up,” Whitman said of the April 23 service. “Our church has blessed me and my family so much and this was an example of how they care for us. I was blown away by all they put into this for me. I’m not worthy of it.” A native of … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary communications PHOENIX (BP) - New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley greeted convention delegates with a good news/bad news scenario in his seminary presentation at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting Wednesday, June 14. "Are you ready for some good news?" Kelley asked. "Today, we are 100 years old at NOBTS." Centennial events launch Oct. 3 with special activities and emphases on campus and at extension centers continuing throughout the year. But the NOBTS 100th birthday celebration must not be like any other celebration, Kelley said, "because of the present state of the Southern Baptist Convention." Kelley referenced findings by the NOBTS Leavell Center for Church Growth and Evangelism on the continued decline in baptisms in Southern Baptist churches. Presenting a chart of the findings to messengers, Kelley called the statistics "stunning." Kelley said church plants are "absolutely essential" but the drop in baptisms demands Southern Baptists' attention, with the NOBTS centennial being no exception. "We need to celebrate in a way that will strengthen our seminary and our churches," Kelley said, issuing a challenge … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary communications PHOENIX (BP) -- Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, said he began his ministry as a street preacher who didn't know anything about the Southern Baptist Convention. Luter, a former SBC president, was one of four pastors who gave a "Common Ground Testimony" to encourage those in ministry during the SBC Pastors' Conference meeting in Phoenix June 11-12. "I was raised as a National Baptist," he said. "Someone asked me if I would be interested in submitting my resume to Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. I put in my resume, but I was scared. I had never pastored; I wasn't ordained; I hadn't been to seminary yet. But a congregation of 50 people asked me to be their pastor." Luter told the audience he was convinced that if they were faithful in four areas, God would bless their ministries. "First, be faithful to God," he said. "God called you to ministry. Whatever you do in life, make certain you are faithful to God. When you stand in the pulpit, be faithful to God who called you." Second, Luter said, pastors should be faithful to God's Word. "Preach it, teach it and live the word of God. If people are saved, it … [Read more...]

By Message Staff UPDATED 2:45 p.m. 6/14 Elected officials, Louisiana Baptist pastors and others continued to offer prayers of support Wednesday afternoon, June 14, for Louisiana congressmen Steve Scalise, who was in critical condition after undergoing surgery for injuries sustained when a gunman opened fire on the House Majority WHIP earlier in the day. "Join with me and my family as we pray for Rep Scalise's quick and complete recovery," said Louisiana Baptist Convention President Gevan Spinney, who is also pastor of First Baptist Church in Haughton. U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham said in a statement released to the Baptist Message that he and his wife, Dianne, are praying for Scalise's recovery and thanked law enforcement officers for their acts of bravery. “Since May, someone has threatened to shoot Rep. McSally in the head; someone tried to run Rep. Kustoff off the road with her car; and now a man seemingly attempted to assassinate several members of Congress at a baseball practice," said Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist Church. "I know we’re a divided country, but Americans do not settle political disagreements with violence. No matter how divided we might be in our opinions, we absolutely cannot … [Read more...]

  By Marilyn Stewart, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary communications PHOENIX (BP) – Ryan Rice, pastor of Connect Church of Algiers in New Orleans, told attendees of the 2017 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference Monday, June 12 that continuing on in obedience to Christ is a call all pastors must heed today. Drawing from Philippians 2:12-18, Rice said pastors must "live lives poured out for Jesus." Acknowledging that ministry is difficult, Rice encouraged listeners not to give up but to press forward in "practical obedience" to God's calling by staying focused on Christ. "Keep plowing in the lane God has set you in," Rice said during his message. "Keep following wherever He has placed you. You can continue on if your eyes are set on Jesus." Pointing to verses 14-16, Rice said believers are called to a "shining obedience," whereby a dark world can see Christ in their lives. Rice reminded listeners God sees and rewards faithfulness. "Your identity is found in Christ, not in what you do for Christ," Rice said. Believers are called to "joyful obedience," Rice said. He encouraged pastors to serve joyfully, as Christ served, and to remember Jesus endured the cross. Rice concluded by … [Read more...]

By Message Staff PINEVILLE – More than 80 high school students will mix music with evangelistic outreach during the Louisiana Baptist All State Youth Choir’s 7-day tour. During the next week the choir will make stops in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Memphis, Tenn., where the students will sing at concert venues and share Christ with others in detention facilities, addiction treatment centers and city parks. “It’s my pleasure to hang out with LBASYC,” said Herb Armentrout, youth music consultant who will direct the youth choir. “The purpose of this choir is to share the love of Christ with folks who do not know him. We’re going to be doing that all over Cincinnati and Memphis this next week. It’s going to be a great time.” In its 34th year, the LBASYC is made up of students who audition at the beginning of January and practice at various times leading up to the day they depart for tour. This year’s choir tour is June 9-16. Peter Howard, a member of First Baptist Church in New Orleans, is among those students who have participated multiple times. He and other members of the choir spent a few days this week at Louisiana College in Pineville preparing for the tour. “I am really excited to being going to Cincinnati to share … [Read more...]

Southside Baptist Church, Shreveport: Galactic Starveyors Vacation Bible School, June 8-10. Thursday and Friday, 6-8:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – to 2:30 p.m. Southside is located at 730 E. Flournoy Lucas Road, Shreveport. For more information, call 318.798.6200. Pastor: Buddy Hankins. … [Read more...]