By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – Nearly 900 members of the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association ended their final days of January by crying out to God to bring revival to a nation becoming increasingly filled with turmoil, according to Lane Moore, director of missions for the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association. Much like the association’s first Call to Prayer, which was hosted at First Baptist Church Bossier City in January 2016, Moore said this gathering brought together Christians of various ages and ethnicities to pray for law enforcement, the persecuted church, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders. The 2017 event at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport was marked by prayer from the worship center stage, in small groups around the room, and by individuals even in the hallways outside, he described, adding that in the end, participants uniformly described a movement of the Holy Spirit in that place as pleas for revival were lifted up. FRAMING THE NEED During Moore’s opening remarks, he said the culture is desperate for the love of Christ and is watching how believers live. “My desire tonight is that we would not leave this place the same … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer DENHAM SPRINGS – The baptismal waters for the congregation of First Baptist Church Denham Springs were calm for several months following the historic flood of August 2016, but they have stirred once again for the congregation, just not where they would have expected. In December, 10-year-old Elise Hebert stepped into a livestock watering trough at the Denham Springs Junior High School cafeteria and declared her faith in Christ before being plunged beneath the surface in obedience and as a public display of her faith. Despite the dislocation from their church campus, the event was a true homecoming for Elise and her family. Elise, who along with her sister Ann Marie, had just recently returned to Denham Springs after living with their uncle in Maryland for two months immediately following the flood. Pastor Leo Miller told members the baptism was another reminder their future was bright. “It is one thing to have worship and the music in a service to lift you up, but when you see God do things like the ordinance of baptism, it’s a really encouraging reminder  to know God is moving and using difficulties to bring about his plans and purposes,” he told the Baptist Message. During … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON – A pizza party and a service focused on sharing the Gospel with youth served as a kickoff for the Harvest, a statewide soul-winning initiative slated for 2017-2018. The event hosted Jan. 24 at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, as part of the two-day 2017 Evangelism Conference, officially launched Louisiana Baptists’ campaign to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in Louisiana. Last year was spent sharing the vision with pastors and developing plans with them. In 2017, more churches will be enlisted, statewide evangelism training will be conducted and different evangelism methods will be piloted, with 2018 dedicated for a strong push for concentrated prayer and soul-winning activities. The cooperative effort will include a diversity of approaches such as multi-church crusades, door-to-door outreach, one-on-one evangelism, single-church revivals and other activities which leverage compassion ministries to share about the love of Christ. PACKED SERVICE Ed Newton, pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas, shared a Gospel message to the packed worship center, which included hundreds of youth. A drama and a “trash can” band from … [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 … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON – Many God-fearing parents feel hopeless when their prodigal son or daughter strays from the faith, wondering where they went wrong in raising their child, Phil Waldrep told the crowd gathered for the annual Senior Adult Luncheon at the 2017 Evangelism Conference (ECON), Jan. 24. But the long-time evangelist encouraged listening parents and grandparents that all is not lost. “The very first thing we have to do is say to the Lord, until you show me what I did wrong, I will assume I did nothing wrong and I will not feel guilty anymore,” said Waldrep, who in 1980 with his wife Debbie, started the Phil Waldrep Evangelistic Association. “When you can make that decision, victory begins to come and you are in a position of strength to make other decisions.” The author of “Reaching Your Prodigal: What Did I Do Wrong? What Do I do Now?” Waldrep said some parents may question the meaning of Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Waldrep said the verse does not teach perfect parenting will equate to perfect children. “You can be the world’s greatest parent and still have a child who is prodigal and … [Read more...]

By Will Hall & Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message RUSTON —Wayne Jenkins said in years past his team had tried other Convention-wide initiatives, but nothing with the focus of the newly launched Harvest campaign to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in the state. Moreover, the Louisiana Baptist Convention evangelism and church growth director said this cooperative effort is special because he truly believes Louisiana Baptists “have the ability to achieve these goals” ­‑ and he said the harvest of salvations that resulted from Louisiana Baptists 2017 Evangelism Conference is promising. Ed Newton led a kickoff for Harvest 2017-2018, aimed at youth, during the first day’s evening session of ECON 2017. After a pizza social at Temple Baptist Church, Ruston, Jan. 23, Ed Newton presented a message emphasizing the Gospel to hundreds of young people who were part of a packed worship center. “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.” Without believing in Christ, Newton said, the future is hopeless. But he emphasized no one had to remain trapped in that spiritual … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON – Gevan Spinney said he believes God wants to do something in Louisiana and he urged every Louisiana Baptist church to be a part of the Harvest, which could be the largest joint evangelistic effort ever in the state. GEVAN SPINNEY “At least pray God would send his revival through the state of Louisiana,” urged Louisiana Baptist Convention Spinney said during the 2017 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference (ECON) at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, held Jan. 23-24. “We are praying for the next two years God will flood our state with the Holy Spirit.” Preaching from Mark 15:21, Spinney, pastor of First Baptist Church, Haughton, encouraged everyone to be a cross bearer in the example of Simon, who carried the cross for Jesus. “It’s impossible for you and I to take up the cross of Christ with our hands’ full,” he said. “What is it you and I need to deny ourselves? What is it we need to let go of in our schedule to pick up the cross?” In order to reach the state for Christ for the next two years and beyond, Spinney said pastors will need to train their people to share the Gospel and love the lost. “We’ve got to go where the broken people are,” Spinney said. … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Jeff (wife Andrea) Tinsley is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Haynesville. Marty (wife Joy) Williams is the new associate pastor at First Baptist Church, Zwolle. Marvin  (wife Dianne) Cooper is the new pastor at Bethany Baptist Church, Bethany. Billy Flowers is the new pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Vivian. Kevin Kellow is the new youth minister at Ferry Lake Baptist Church, Oil City. Blade Foster is the new youth minister at First Baptist Church, Oil City. Jason Harp is interim pastor at Brookwood Baptist Church, Shreveport. Bill Stroud resigned as pastor at Caddo Prairie Baptist Church, Hosston. Wayne Dubose is the interim pastor at Trinity Heights Baptist Church, Shreveport. Bob Heustess retired January 31 after serving 46 years as pastor at Grace Memorial Baptist Church, Slidell. Dennis Hackler is the new pastor at Cherry Ridge Baptist Church, Bastrop. HOMECOMING Trinity Baptist Church, Natchitoches:  65th Anniversary, Feb. 19th, 10:30 a.m. Lunch and concert will follow the service. Friends and families are invited to attend. Speaker: Wayne Bridges. Music: Bob Adams. Pastor: Josh Currie. REVIVAL Wilda Baptist Church, Gardener: Revival, Feb. 8-12. Evangelist: … [Read more...]

By Message Staff WOODWARD, Okla. – A small team of Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers was removing debris from the yard of a home damaged by a mid-January ice storm when they encountered a resident in need of Jesus’ love. By the end of their conversation, the team members had accomplished their mission – sharing a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name. According to Louisiana Baptists state disaster relief director Gibbie McMillan, Woodward, Okla., resident Linda Hunter suffered a stroke a few days before an ice storm snapped trees in half and knocked down power lines. Noticing Hunter was in need of equipment to help exercise her arm weakened by the stroke, the team members traveled to the local hardware store, where they purchased a pulley apparatus that would enable her to strengthen her arm. The team returned a day later, finding Hunter in good spirits for their service. “When disaster relief workers respond they are ready to help people deal with their needs if at all possible,” McMillan said. “These people care about people first then do what they can to make a difference. “ The teams from Eastern Louisiana and Washington Baptist associations worked in Woodward from Jan. 22 to 31. They were part of a … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Editor WASHINGTON —Two of Louisiana’s three newest elected U.S. officials recently spoke with the Baptist Message to share their thoughts about the wholesale change of attitude in the White House with regard to respect for the life of the unborn since the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States, with both men commenting on the participation of the vice president in the March for Life, Jan. 27, in Washington, D.C., as historic. “I’ve gotten to know Vice President Pence, starting with my campaign. He’s a godly man and believes as I do that every life is precious,” Sen. John Kennedy said. “He is soft-spoken, but he knows who he is and he knows what he believes, and, he’s not afraid to stand up for what he believes.” Kennedy garnered nearly two-thirds of the runoff vote, Dec. 10, to represent the state in the Senate. Likewise, his counterpart in the House, Mike Johnson, also won with a landslide margin, and now serves as Louisiana’s representative from the U.S. 4th Congressional District. Rep. Johnson said it was “a shame that it took 44 years for someone of his stature to appear,” and he said all the pro-life advocates who had worked “so many years in this arena” celebrated the fact … [Read more...]