By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE – Prior to the start of the second day of the 2017 Louisiana Legislative Session, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church Pastor Fred Luter told elected officials that when facing major decisions, follow Jesus’ example and consult with the Father. “Throughout His time here on earth, whenever Jesus had a choice to make, He always – without fail – consulted with His Father,” Luter said during his keynote address Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. “If you are in a dilemma, if you are in a predicament, if you need to do something, but you just don’t know what to do, learn a lesson from Jesus and take it to God in prayer.” Luter said when facing a major decision, one cannot stay neutral. Therefore, he said, every person should consider the sorrow, solitude, submission and strength Jesus showed in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the night he was handed over to authorities for his eventual crucifixion. “On this Christian journey, there will be points in your life when you will face situations that don’t make any sense,” Luter said. “When things don’t make sense, when there are things in your life you don’t understand, just like Jesus you will find yourself in sorrow.” Luter said at times … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – For years, James Fletcher struggled with drug addiction, resentment toward others and separation from his brother who was sentenced to serve life at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. But in late 2015, Fletcher found hope in Christ at Celebration Church, marking the beginning of an awakening in his own life, and also a revival among many of his family members. “I let those strongholds take over my life and had to realize forgiveness is one of the biggest things I need to have,” said Fletcher, who was baptized in January 2016. “I was so dependent on the things of the world to hide my feelings, but once I took it to the Lord, He took away those burdens and anxiety. IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK Fletcher also shared how God used his faith to touch the lives of those close to him. “Now, a lot of my family members have accepted Christ,” he exclaimed, “and we are so excited about what He is doing with us.” After his baptism, his mother, Veronica Singleton, and wife, Elisha, accepted Christ and both were baptized within a six-month period. His grandmother, Janet Richard, was redeemed in March and has plans to follow through with baptism in April. Fletcher, … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter MANDEVILLE – A “Grounded, Growing, and Bearing Fruit” theme called women to live on mission at the Women’s Missionary Union Missions Celebration and 117th annual meeting, March 31-April 1, at First Baptist, Mandeville. Cindy Townsend, former LBC women’s missions and ministry director now serving as executive-treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Convention’s WMU and women’s ministries, challenged attendees to shine the light on Jesus. “We are to go to our corner of Louisiana and we are to put the spotlight on Jesus,” Townsend said. “If we put the spotlight on him, he will draw them unto himself.” More than 150 guests attended the event led by speakers Gibbie McMillan, Louisiana Baptists men’s ministry and disaster relief strategist; Gina Roberts, International Mission Board; and, Lena Plunk, WMU ministry consultant for mobilization, Birmingham, Alabama. A special collection benefitting the Mississippi River Christmas Ministry, an evangelistic effort serving families along the river, filled 38 backpacks with toys, schools supplies, hygiene items, and Bibles to be given away. Other activities included a missions fair highlighting ministries around the world, a Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE New Life Baptist Church, DeRidder: Lynn P. Clayton has announced his April 30 retirement, after 14 years as founding pastor. He was previously editor of the Louisiana Baptist Message for 28 years. He and his wife Leah plan to reside in DeRidder. Collin (wife Gina) Wimberly is the new pastor at Trinity Heights Baptist Church, Shreveport. Larry Bernal has resigned as pastor of Bethsaida Baptist Church, Ida. Billy Stevens has resigned as pastor of Willow Point Baptist Church, Shreveport. Jeremy Brister has resigned as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Bentley. Jason, wife Tracy, Ogle is the new pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Albany. James Summerlin is the new associate pastor to students at First Baptist Church, Hammond. Dustin Pierce is the new youth pastor at Trinity Baptist Church, Hammond. Judd Roark has resigned as pastor at South Side Baptist Church, Bastrop. IN REMEMBERANCE Miguel “Papi” Barrios of Bernice passed away March 29 in West Monroe at the age of 80. Burial services were at First Baptist Church of Farmerville on Saturday, April 1. Reginaldo DeLeon officiated. Interment followed at Shiloh Cemetery in the Shiloh Community. Barrios was born July 5, 1936 in Guatemala. He … [Read more...]

By Lane Corley, LBC's Church Planter, Mission & Life Strategists in SE Louisiana The 2016 ACP (Annual Church Profile) Reports are in for Louisiana. The Annual Church Profile is collected by State Convention Communication and Information Services Departments and tallied together nationally by Lifeway. Our Information Services Department works hard to gather the data, even from churches that do not turn in the form, by calling them and asking for what data can be gathered over the phone. Most Associations do a good job helping churches see the importance. It is valuable for us to see how we are doing together and for our strategists to have good data as we plan church planting and missions efforts nationally. It also gets our state included in national data collection. A FEW HIGHLIGHTS Here are a few highlights that I found interesting from this year’s ACP Reports: --86% or 1,376 Louisiana Baptist Churches reported. So, that means 248 churches did not report. --Total Worship Attendance for 2016 in Louisiana was 165,228. Which is 3.5% of Louisiana’s total population of 4,670,724. --Total Resident Membership for 2016 was 357,631. Which is 7.7% of Louisiana’s total population. --Total Baptisms reported … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Louisiana College celebrated several “firsts” Monday, April 10. During a press conference, the school announced a new degree, new scholarship and the grand opening of its first engineering classroom. To equip young men and women called to be marketplace missionaries from central Louisiana to the ends of the earth, LC will offer a new bachelor’s degree in missions and ministries. Those who qualify as freshmen automatically will receive $6,000 annually through the Dr. Fred Lowery Scholarship, named after the retired pastor of First Baptist Church in Bossier City. The degree will be offered through the School of Missions and Ministries, formerly the Division of Christian Studies. This school will have emphases on apologetics, biblical studies, church planting, evangelism, missions and pastoral ministry. “I see God lifting up, even in this room, young people who say, ‘I want to be like Paul, to be a tentmaker,’” said LC President Rick Brewer. “To go to an Omaha, a Kansas City, a Houston, a Dallas, a Los Angeles and plant churches and share the Gospel, but not to have to count and depend upon income from those people you are trying to reach. “I believe there’s a … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH – Christians in law enforcement should think of their jobs as a mission field, a longtime Louisiana Baptist police officer said during the 2017 Royal Ambassador Congress Saturday, April 8. “Some of my best days were when I came home after changing a stranded motorist's tire or helping an elderly lady carry her groceries to her car,” said David Cheatwood, who retired in 2012 after serving with the Natchitoches Police Department and Natchitoches Sheriff's Department for 33 years. "We are God's ministers for good. Cops are ministers for good things and to resist evil.” LOTS OF FUN, ONE GOAL Cheatwood, now a Louisiana Baptist disaster relief coordinator, shared his message during the statewide gathering, which drew nearly 200 first through sixth grade boys and their adult leaders from 17 churches. Held April 7-8 at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth, the RA Congress featured testimonies from law enforcement and armed forces officers as an emphasis of this year’s theme, Honor the Protectors. During the Friday evening session, various police, fire and other agencies who are on the front lines of protecting the public presented hands-on exhibits for the … [Read more...]

BOSSIER CITY - Louisiana Right to Life recently obtained a letter filed as a public record in the federal case June Medical Services LLC, et al. v. Rebekah Gee, et al. that indicates the Bossier City Medical Suite, an outpatient abortion facility in Bossier City, has closed its doors. The letter from the Center for Reproductive Rights also says the facility's outpatient license was returned to the Louisiana Department of Health. A moving trailer was seen on location yesterday, April 11. Benjamin Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life, said the following on the release of the news: "With the closure of Bossier City Medical Suite, there is one less facility in Louisiana destroying the lives of innocent unborn babies. From 2006 to 2015, this facility sold 7,482 abortions. We mourn for these lives that will never enjoy life in Louisiana but rejoice that this facility will no longer be in the business of abortion. "We encourage the pro-life community to continue its efforts to provide help to mothers and babies, both before and after birth. We look forward to a day when all babies are protected by law and welcomed with joy," Clapper said. There are currently three facilities selling abortion in Louisiana: … [Read more...]