By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NOVA SCOTIA/NEW BRUNSWICK – Louis Charrier was putting the finishing touches on his famous southern Louisiana gumbo and already a line of 15 people was forming, eager to get a taste of the Cajun dish at a Labor Day block party in Dieppe, New Brunswick, far from the Bayou state. Moments later, some fellow Louisiana Baptists begin serving the cuisine by the bowl, along with an evangelism tract telling the purpose of their trip to the Canadian province. One of three trips Louisiana Baptists have taken to Nova Scotia and neighboring New Brunswick in 2016, the Cajun Connection is a joint effort by churches around the state. While there, they minister with a church to conduct door-to-door surveys, Vacation Bible School and student ministry. This outreach, which aims to connect the culture of Louisiana with its northern roots, began in 2004 with Louisiana missionaries Winter and Betty Case from Stonewall, who spent two years in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and opened a door of opportunity to share Christ. HISTORICAL TIES Cajuns are descendants of the French Canadians who came to Louisiana more than 260 years ago, moving from Nova Scotia starting in 1755, when Great Britain acquired … [Read more...]

IN REMEMBERANCE Gene Williams, 89, went to be with his Lord and Savior Dec. 18. He was born in Corsicana, Texas in 1927 to Henry and Iola Williams. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor, a Master of Divinity degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. After listening to the radio broadcast of old-time evangelist Mordecai Ham, nine-year-old little Gene accepted Christ as his Savior. Later at the age of 15, he started preaching in 1942 when the pulpit supply minister did not show up for a service. By 1944 he had started working at his first church, a Baptist church that met half-time, sharing a building with the Methodists. In 1945 he was ordained into the Gospel ministry and in 1948 was pastoring his first church full-time when he married the former Dorothy Fiew. After serving as pastor of churches in Texas, Louisiana and Alabama, he entered vocational evangelism in 1957. Williams conducted his first missions focused overseas crusade in 1960 in Jamaica. He has led over 2,000 revival meetings in America and over 135 overseas crusades in foreign countries. He founded Williams Ministries in 1959 and in addition to leading revival meetings, Williams served as chairman of the board … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MANDEVILLE – Scheduled for March 31-April 1 at First Baptist Church in Mandeville, the Louisiana Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union will hold a Mission Celebration and its 117th Annual Meeting, highlighting how the WMU is participating in what God is doing in the state, North America and around the world. “The scriptural focus for this year’s Mission Celebration is Jeremiah 17:7-8, which challenges us to be grounded, knowing our purpose; to be growing, actively involved in missions with mind, body and soul; and to be bearing fruit, to be productive kingdom women,” said Janie Wise, Louisiana Baptists’ women’s missions and ministry strategist. “When we meet in Mandeville, we will celebrate missions and WMU organizations on mission in our churches. We also desire to be challenged to seek God’s guidance in all our mission efforts.” The event kicks off Friday evening with a missions fair at 5 p.m. and a general session at 6:45 p.m. Saturday morning, at 7:15, the Louisiana Baptist Nursing Fellowship will hold its annual breakfast, which is open to members and other interested health care professionals. There will be a prayer experience during the morning session and new WMU officers … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON – Business is booming for the Rolling Hills Ministries’ thrift stores with no signs of slowing in sight. Unexpected warm weather in February not only caused an early need for donations in the thrift stores, but the demand has also spilled over into Monroe – the future site of a new thrift store ministry location. The ministry has purchased land at 5339 Desiard St. in Monroe to construct its fourth thrift store. A possible ground breaking is scheduled for April, with a projected completion date of late December. Financial donations for making a difference in Monroe are being accepted for the $1.8 million thrift store ministry center. Once complete, the 14,000-sq.-ft. store will provide clothes, furniture and other items at a deeply discounted price. The Rolling Hills Ministries’ Monroe thrift store ministry center will be partnering with the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, and will be offering a career center where women will learn job readiness skills, life skills and receive spiritual guidance. “Our hope is the ladies will gain spiritual and educational assistance through the career center, and develop needed skills by volunteering in the thrift store ,” said … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer TROUT – A year after floodwaters destroyed the nearly 100-year-old building which serves the congregation of Zenoria Baptist Church, members celebrated the remarkable progress that has been made on a new facility. Friends and neighbors from around the community, including congregants of other area churches, gathered with the saints of Zenoria Baptist, March 11, 2017, to commemorate how nearly 80 Kingdom Builders literally raised a new building from the slab up over the course of a five-day period. Located at 3133 Hwy. 500 in Trout, the new worship center will seat 138, and there will be classrooms and a fellowship hall when the structure is completed. HOPE & THANKS Pastor Joel Johnson is hoping his congregation of 65 will be in their new spaces by Easter Sunday. “It’s going to be a time of jubilee,” Johnson said. “We couldn’t have pulled this off without the help of people in the community, sister churches and the Kingdom Builders. We’re not finished yet but we’re approach ing a place where we can soon meet together again.” The former building was destroyed after 9 feet of water from the Little River – located less than a half-mile away – submerged the church, March … [Read more...]

By Marvin Jones PINEVILLE – Imagine a world where racial tension and racial inequity does not exist. A SKIN SIN Imagine a world where issues of biological racism are never given credence or credibility – where prejudice towards another person because of his family or race doesn’t exist. Biological racism can only survive when we deny the imago dei to all human beings. Biological racism survives when one ethnic group considers another ethnic group to be sub-human because of their birth. So imagine a world where people consider their fellow human beings valuable and worthy of respect because of their status as God’s creation in His image. SOCIAL SEPARATION Imagine a world where cultural racism is non-existent – where cultural differences no longer create barriers that divide the populace. Imagine a world that does not advance the cause of racial tension in cultural dynamics. Imagine a world where humanity does not promote racial distinction as harmful but embraces racial differences, gender differences, social, and economic differences as God given design to promote the well-being of all humanity. RECONCILED IN CHRIST The problem is that any given society – all of humanity for that matter – can only … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAUGHTON – Will Taylor stepped into the baptismal waters, joining his wife, Lori, and their teenage daughters for a moment in time his family will never forget. As Pastor Gevan Spinney baptized each member of the family, the Taylors beamed with excitement over the journey that brought them to this point in life. ALL IN THE FAMILY The family had resided in Haughton for four months when the historic floodwaters in March 2016 nearly overtook their neighborhood. But tragedy became jubilation as they continued to see how the church ministered to families in the community. One by one, they grew closer to Christ as they became more involved in the life of First Baptist Church in Haughton. First, Lori and Will Taylor joined a small group, leading to growth in what had been a stagnant spiritual life after both had made commitments to Christ. He at 17 and she at nine. Then Will and Lori repented to restore their fellowship with Jesus, and their resulting zeal for the Lord manifested in big changes in how they lived. Their teenage daughters witnessed the authenticity of the transformation, and subsequently accepted Christ at the 2017 Louisiana Baptist Convention Evangelism … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LC News PINEVILLE -- Louisiana College has announced a new C.S. Lewis Scholarship and established a cohort as part of a newly launched Honors Program. Enrolling freshmen who scored a 28 or higher on the ACT are eligible for the annual scholarship of $8,500. “These academic innovations are Louisiana College’s rewards to high school students who excelled academically, and who aspire to continue the level of Christian impact upon his culture C.S. Lewis had,” said LC President Rick Brewer.  “Lewis -- whose intellectual acumen and Christian influence -- exemplifies one who integrated his faith and learning, thus reflecting our goal of preparing graduates and transforming lives.” Additional advantages of being a C.S. Lewis Scholar include: - attending classes focused on C.S. Lewis and his writings; - representing LC as an ambassador at Christian worldview conferences; - mentoring other students academically; - interning at local industries and businesses that relate to your major; - upon approval, pursuing additional courses beyond the 18-hour maximum; and - at student’s expense, studying at Oxford University, where C.S. Lewis taught. Leading the cohort of C.S. Lewis scholars will be Russell … [Read more...]

By Message Staff Authorities have arrested a suspect allegedly responsible for a string of church burglaries in Grant, Rapides and Natchitoches parishes from July to December 2016. According to a news release from the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Charles Wiltz of New Iberia conducted most of the break-ins during the evening and on weekends, concentrating on rural areas. The last burglary related to the investigation was reported on Dec. 12. Eight Louisiana Baptist churches were vandalized during that time, including Wayside Baptist Church in Pollock, Alpine First Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church in Colfax, First Baptist Church in Lecompte, Lamourie Baptist Church in Lecompte, Oak Grove Baptist Church in Bentley, Gateway Baptist Church in Ball and Riverview Baptist Church in Alexandria. “It’s a relief knowing he’s not going to be able to do it anymore,” said Jeremy Brister, pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church. “The only good thing that can come out of this is people can get saved from future break-ins he may have committed.” Lucas LaCour, pastor of Alpine First Baptist Church, who has more than 16 years of experience serving with the Grant Parish Sheriff Department, said in a Dec. 13 article off the Baptist … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS public relations NEW ORLEANS – Despite challenges and distractions, the church is all about Jesus and rooted firmly in His power, Jack Graham said during chapel services at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary March 7. “This is not about us. My church. Your church. It’s all about Jesus,” he said. Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, preached in chapel weeks after news broke that his church was escrowing Cooperative Program funds due to concerns over the actions by some Southern Baptist entity leaders. Even though the event was scheduled months before Prestonwood's decision to withhold funds, some called on NOBTS to revoke Graham’s invitation. NOBTS President Chuck Kelley rejected the idea, and instead, called on Southern Baptists to be more intentional about dialogue in times of disagreement. A group of NOBTS students printed and sold “I Heart CP” shirts. Though they disagreed with Graham regarding the escrowing of CP funds, they insisted that their goal was not to protest Graham or Prestonwood, but affirm their commitment to the Cooperative Program. After the chapel service, Graham met with the students for a short question and answer time. The students also gave Graham a … [Read more...]