WASHINGTON,  D.C. – More than 2,000 Louisianians are expected to be among those from across the nation participating in the annual March for Life this Friday, Jan 27. Held since the first anniversary of Roe v. Wade – a case that legalized abortion in the U.S. – the march will begin at noon EST. The event will also include a rally featuring such speakers as Kellyanne Conway, senior counsel to President Trump; Benjamin Watson, former New Orleans Saint and current Baltimore Raven; Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood director; and Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York City. Benjamin Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, is in D.C. and is hopeful eventually abortion will become a thing of the past. “We are excited that more and more young Louisianians continue to stand for human rights for all, born and unborn,” Clapper said. “We also march with a renewed sense of hope that we can end tax-payer funding of abortion, defund the abortion industry, and place pro-life justices on the Supreme Court.  The pro-life movement will continue to march until legal protection is assured for the weakest among us, the unborn child.” For more information about the march and how to watch the event online, visit … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE – On a day when many pro-abortion activists participated in marches nationwide, supporters of life took to the streets in downtown Baton Rouge to proclaim their message that every person matters in God’s eyes. Held Jan. 21, the Louisiana Life March South drew around 1,500 people, despite the possibility of rainfall in the forecast. "Even though storms threatened the Louisiana Life March South, pro-lifers stood strong to protect both mom and baby," said Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Benjamin Clapper. "Representative Katrina Jackson inspired the audience with the call to never quit defending life and helping mothers." The theme for this year’s march was “Protect Them Both.” Organizers wanted to emphasize the pro-life movement values not only the unborn child but their mothers who have alternatives to abortion, such as crisis pregnancy centers in the state. Among the speakers at the march was Katrina Jackson, a state representative who authored legislation that requires admitting privileges for doctors who perform abortions. She encouraged the marchers to be an advocate for life, showing women facing a difficult decision that they have another option … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Editor RUSTON — Speaking to a full crowd in the chapel of Temple Baptist Church, Ruston, Jan. 21, featured speaker Mateo Lopez encouraged the audience of pastors and laymen to be intentional in preparing to reap a harvest through evangelism, and, he emphasized going back to the growth "secrets" of the early church in order to expand the Gospel to the world. Referencing 2 Timothy 4:5, Lopez, a pastor, church planter and teacher at the Indigenous Education Center in Veracruz, Mexico, said believers must be serious about "doing the work of the evangelist." He said this life emphasis starts with "a personal transformation," and he implored the crowd to seek the Word and pursue "an attitude of obedience." Lopez concluded the first general session by referencing Isaiah 6:8 which asks "Who shall we send?" and elicits the response, "Here I am. Send me." Revisiting this passage with the Baptist Message, Lopez said too often readers think "international missions" when reading this text. But he said it actually reflects the Great Commission's charge that "as we go" we are to evangelize, baptize and disciple (Mathew 28:18-20). Furthermore, he said, "Acts 1:8 shows the correct order of priority in missions: … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA–Despite five confirmed tornadoes, Louisiana was not pummeled as badly as its neighbors over the weekend as a strong storm system swept across the south. In Texas and Oklahoma strong winds and a severe ice storm crippled the area while to the east a rash or tornadoes left a swath of multiple deaths – 18 fatalities with scores injured in Mississippi and Georgia – and destruction costing millions in its wake. The enormous storm system which blew through Louisiana Jan. 21, left trees uprooted, destroyed homes and trailers, toppled power lines, snapped trees in two, and injured several people. Gibbie McMillan, Disaster Relief director for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, said no teams were being dispatched to these areas in the state as local communities had already begun the clean-up process. However, five teams – three to Petal, Miss., and two more to Woodward, Okla., -- were being dispatched. “We are sending chainsaw, blue tarp and debris removal crews to Mississippi,” he said. “Mike Shumock, who is from the Hattiesburg area and is helping us with the rebuild here in the state, is leading those volunteers to Mississippi.” McMillan said the devastation is significant, … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Mike Smith resigns as pastor of Brookwood Baptist Church, Shreveport. Mark Cole is the new NextGen pastor at First Baptist Church, West Monroe. Ed Baldwin is the new pastor at Sharp Baptist Church, Lena. Josh Eliff is the pastor at First West, Calhoun. David Brown is the pastor at Refuge Church, Monroe. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Patterson: Revival, Jan. 29-Feb. 1, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.; Sunday evening thru Wednesday, 6 p.m. Evangelist: The Lisembys. Pastor: Michael D. Reichard, Jr. Sugartown Baptist Church, Sugartown: Revival, Feb. 2-5, Thursday thru Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. Evangelists: The Lisembys. Social Springs Baptist Church, Ringgold: Harvest Sunday, Jan 29.  Evangelist: Sam Moore. Pastor: James Hester. Pilgrims Rest Baptist Church, Spearsville: Revival, Feb 5-8. Evangelist: Sam Moore. Pastor: Adam Hill. Wilda Baptist Church, Gardener: Revival, Feb. 8-12. Evangelist: Lyndon Longoria. Pastor: Joey Rudisill. LAGNIAPPE Earnest Little is available for interim or supply.  Call 318.663.2770. The Evangeline Baptist Association is recognizing Wallace Primeaux on his 90th birthday at the end of January. Primeaux is the former Director of Missions for Evangeline and Gulf … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell. Message staff writer LEESVILLE – Shortly before Christmas 2016, Sherry Slaydon gave her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren a priceless gift – the opportunity to celebrate her new life in Christ by being present at her baptism. “I pray watching their grandma proclaim her love for God was an inspiration to them,” she said. “I had people tell me I had a glow afterward … words can’t describe the feeling.” Now, she is anxious to share the Good News that changed her heart with others, too. Slaydon was among 77 people East Leesville Baptist baptized in 2016, adding up to a combined three-year total of 205. Rarely does a Sunday pass when Pastor Jeff Smart or another staff member is not baptizing someone. “We are so used to baptisms every week that it’s something our church looks forward to every Sunday,” Smart shared, saying baptisms reflect the heartbeat of the congregation – evangelism. God even uses baptisms for still more evangelism, he said. “I tell those who are getting baptized that they are telling their story of how Christ has changed their life,” Smart said. “Someone who isn’t saved sees that and they might accept Christ – which has happened numerous times.” The heartbeat of … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON – Sensing a prompting of the Holy Spirit during the final session of the Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference, church planter Vance Pitman issue an altar call to anyone willing to pray for and share Christ with every home in the state. In the end, dozens of people came forward inside the Temple Baptist Church worship center to accept a massive challenge called the Harvest Initiative that Pitman said appears to seem an impossible task. But as he told pastors and others during his message Tuesday evening, Jan. 24, the same God who moved in the early church more than 2,000 years ago is the same God who is on the move today. “It’s a massive goal - every home, every person,” Pitman said. “I can’t imagine a church not wanting to be a part of that.” Throughout the next two years, 700 Louisiana Baptist churches will be challenged to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in the state. After spending 2016 to plan and enlist leaders and churches and using 2017 to conduct statewide evangelism training and pilot different methods, Louisiana Baptists will join together across the state in 2018 in prayer events and intentional soul-winning activities. The … [Read more...]

By Message Staff RUSTON – History was made during the opening session of the 2017 Evangelism Conference Monday evening, Jan. 23. Standing before a packed worship center at Temple Baptist Church, Ed Newton presented the Gospel to hundreds of youth and adults, as well as many other youngsters watching his message via a livestream broadcast in the first-ever student night. In the end, around 50 made a decision at Temple Baptist Church alone, including 12 first-time decisions. Numbers from additional sites broadcasting Newton's message were not known immediately. “Heaven is real,” said Newton, pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas. “Life is short. Jesus is good. And He desires to save you right where you’re at.” Newton emphasized that each person is one step away from spending eternity in either heaven or hell. Without believing in Christ, Newton said, their future in heaven is hopeless. “Right where you’re at, Jesus could step out of heaven and step into your heart,” he said. “We’re all one step away from eternity. What will you do with Jesus?” In addition to Newton’s message, student night also featured drama and a “trash can” band from Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville, a combined choir … [Read more...]