By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA – Brad Webb, pastor of Family of Grace Church in Alexandria, praises his congregation, which now includes members of the former Baptist Temple, because of their commitment to worship God through corporate ministry as well as through corporate church services. “God has granted favor to Baptist Temple members for their step of faith in embracing the vision of what we could do as one congregation,” Webb told the Baptist Message. “Likewise, He has blessed our people from family of Grace, who also stepped out in faith to see the possibilities here.” Those possibilities are reality now as more than 300 people receive ministry each week at Family of Grace on the south side of town, where attendance for Sunday morning service as Baptist Temple had dropped to fewer than 40. The campus is alive with children who receive academic tutoring three nights a week and other youth who come by bus on Wednesday nights for discipleship, families who are enrolled in English class, adults who are part of literacy courses, and people who come to be set free from addictions. Webb said the ministries meet needs in the neighborhoods surrounding both campuses while everyone gets to see the face of Christ … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SLIDELL – Glenda Ledet’s life changed when her hometown church went down in flames July 2, 2016. It jarred her into realizing she needed to return to Bayou Baptist Church and her walk with Christ. Surrounded by friends and family, Ledet was one of two people baptized Jan. 29, a week after the dedication of the church’s new facility. “My dad was in ICU when we got the news that the church had burned,” Ledet said. “I felt this was a wake-up call, to come back to God after drifting away and return to the church I grew up in.” She had professed Christ at a younger age, but had not been obedient through baptism. “God was calling me back,” she said, “and since then I’ve never felt closer than I am now.” The special day drew some of Ledet’s family members who had not stepped inside a church building in many, many years. “I was so thrilled they came and I think maybe this will change their lives,” Ledet said. “A seed was planted and I am hoping and praying for them.” She is equally excited about God’s plan for her church. “My church has overcome a lot and I’m excited about where we are headed in the future.” THREE DISASTERS Like Ledet, other Bayou Baptist … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message ZACHARY – Jeff Palmer, executive director of Baptist Global Response, will headline the 2017 Louisiana Baptist Agricultural Missions Fellowship annual meeting. Scheduled to kick off at 9 a.m. March 18 at First Baptist Church in Zachary, the meeting will include a discussion by an agricultural missionary on how God continues to use the industry to help people help themselves in Eastern Europe. Other activities planned at the meeting include a time of worship and lunch. “The annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Agricultural Missions Fellowship is pleased to have Jeff Palmer as its keynote speaker,” said David Morrison, vice-president of the Louisiana Baptist Agricultural Missions Fellowship, in an e-mailed statement to the Baptist Message. “He is one of God’s most effective agricultural and development missionaries. “Much of Dr. Palmer’s early overseas training was received under the leadership of Harold Watson who established the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center in the Philippines, which is recognized throughout Asia,” Morrison continued. Palmer currently serves as CEO for Baptist Global Response in Nashville. BGR is a non-profit Southern Baptist relief and development … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE – The Mosaic generation, those between the ages of 18 and 23, “rarely” have a biblical worldview as defined by The Barna Group. That’s what the christianpost.com reported in 2009, and Christianity’s cultural influence remains in an abysmal state. Barna’s research data found that less than one-half of one percent of Mosaics have a biblical worldview, which is defined by: - believing that absolute moral truth exists; - the Bible is completely accurate in all of the principles it teaches; - Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic; - a person cannot earn their way into Heaven by good works; - Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; and - God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today. The Barna Group also states: “An increasing number of religiously unaffiliated, a steady drop in church attendance, the recent Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage, and the growing tension over religious freedoms all point to a larger secularizing trend sweeping across the nation.” “Situational ethics have replaced integrity and relativism has supplanted veracity. Values are no longer objective and truth … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MINAS GERAIS, Brazil – Wayne Jenkins is making an urgent plea for Louisiana Baptists to join him in the annual summer mission trip to Brazil. Those participating have a chance to experience a life-changing opportunity and the ability to impact an area where just 2 to 3 percent of its residents profess to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Last year, 98 participants led 3,202 people to the Lord. “We have been working here with our SBC missionaries and Brazilian Baptists for 33 years,” said Jenkins, Louisiana Baptists evangelism and church growth director. “The areas they have assigned us are unreached and in need of both spiritual and physical ministry. Much of the work is done with two-thirds of the people living in extreme poverty. “This is a trip that can change your life,” he continued. “One of the volunteers who has gone several years sums up what many have said, ‘No other trips have had a larger impact on my life in ministry or a larger impact through my life in eternity than Beyond the Walls ministry’s trips to Brazil.’” The team will leave for Brazil on one of two departure dates – July 6 or 7 – and return either July 17 or July 19, if volunteers elect to stay … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MONROE – With the completion of a wall and security tower in mid-February, the Louisiana Baptist Convention and Haiti Baptist Convention are much closer to fulfilling a five-year dream of having a facility to house children and train pastors. Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries President Perry Hancock shared the news during the entity’s Feb. 24 board meeting, telling trustees that he is optimistic some of the dormitories for children will be ready by the end of the year. “The need in Haiti is significant,” Hancock said. “But with great need comes great opportunity for God’s people to share the Gospel in word and deed. It has taken a few years to gain traction, but the project is now moving forward.” The Louisiana Reach Haiti project is an effort sponsored by Hancock’s ministry, the LBC, HBC and 30 Louisiana Baptist churches. Haiti was devastated by 2010 earthquake that killed more than 250,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless. Louisiana Baptists were among the first to provide disaster relief, and since then have maintained a ministry presence through mission trips that includes construction projects, pastor training, medical clinics, food, … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message Will you say YES to Jesus? Several hundred GAs RAs, Children in Action, and other children’s ministry groups will be asked that question when they come together at the annual Mission Jamboree later this month. At the event they will learn how to say yes to doing their best for Jesus. Known as M-JAM, the event will take place March 18 at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. A second M-JAM is scheduled for May 6 at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth, allowing for youngsters in first through sixth grade and their leaders to attend M-JAM at the church closest to where they live. The theme for M-Jam is “My Best Yes!,” based on 1 Corinthians 9:22-23. “M-JAM is always a high energy day that points children to Christ and lets each of them know that God has a special plan and purpose for them,” said Jess Archer, children/youth mission education strategist for Louisiana Baptists. “The children will enjoy singing, dancing and worshipping God with others. Students will also meet IMB missionaries who use their gifts to serve God in different parts of the world.” Jeff Slaughter will return a second year in a row to lead worship at M-JAM, on March 18. For the past 30 years, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAMMOND – It was 37 years in the making but on April 3-5, the Northshore Baptist Association and Southeastern Louisiana University Baptist Collegiate Ministry are prepared for a harvest of souls. “We believe God will move in a mighty way and we will see students get saved and lives changed,” said Randy Smith, pastor of Crossbrand Cowboy Church in Loranger. “We believe in God’s power to work and that churches will become involved in this outreach to the community. That is God’s commission – to preach the Gospel and make disciples and see people delivered.” Set for the  University Center at SLU, the Fields of Faith revival will feature challenging messages by Walt Barnes, associate pastor of student and discipleship ministries at New Palestine Baptist Church in Picayune, Miss., and praise and worship bands from the community as well as the school’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry. The revival is one of 10 Harvest events planned in 2017, according to Wayne Jenkins, evangelism and church growth director for Louisiana Baptists. Harvest officially launched Louisiana Baptists’ campaign to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in Louisiana. Smith’s dream for Fields of … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Michelle Beaty resigned as children’s minister at New Chapel Hill, West Monroe. HOMECOMING Old Union Baptist Church, Converse: Homecoming, April 2, 11 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the worship service. Speaker: Murray Hodge, associate pastor at Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport. Special Music: Southern Plainsmen Quartet at 1:15 p.m. Pastor: Alton Middleton. REVIVAL Cotile Baptist Church, Boyce: Revival/Homecoming, March 9-11, 7 p.m. March 9-11, 11 a.m. March 12. Speakers: Dobie Perkins (March 9), Grady Dodge (March 10), Randy Ellis (March 11) and Wayne Dunn (March 12) when Cotile Baptist will celebrate its 35th Homecoming. All are invited to join. Pastor: Johnny Miller. Antioch Baptist Church, Farmerville: Remember, Rejoice & Reload 100 More Bible Conference, March 10-12, Friday and Saturday, 6:30 p.m.; Sunday 10:30 p.m. Speakers: Jerry Chaddick, Sonny Simpson, Casey Johnson, Jeremy Pruitt, and Jeff  Flenniken. Special Music: 11th Hour. Pastor: Rubin Weaver. Bethel Baptist Church, Houma: Revival, March 12-15. Evangelist: Lyndon Longoria.  Special Music: Kerry Longoria. Pastor: Jimmy Autin. Coteau Baptist Church, Houma: Revival - Delivering the Word, March 12-15, Sunday 9 a.m. … [Read more...]