By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson believes 2017 will be the most pro-life year in America in a half-century. “We are just getting started, so buckle up,” Johnson told a record crowd gathered for the Louisiana Life March North Saturday, Jan. 28. “Thank you for standing for life. This is an important historic moment for our nation, for our state and for this community that all of us love so much.” More than 9,000 people turned out for the fourth annual march to stand for life. 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. The march included speakers and musicians from various denominations, including a number of Louisiana Baptists such as Lane Moore, director of missions for the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association. He told the Baptist Message after the march that he always is amazed at the diversity represented in the march. “The young families with strollers and small children is encouraging,” Moore said. “The people that attended seemed to be more excited about the future … [Read more...]

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. Much like the first Call to Prayer at First Baptist Church Bossier City in January 2016, 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. Some pastors, ministers’ wives and associational leaders led prayer from the stage inside the worship center at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport. Other prayers took place individually and in small groups. But in the end, the Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way as pleas for revival were lifted up. During Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association Director of Mission Lane 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 way we walked into this place,” Moore said. “We are going to invite Him, and praise Him, and bless Him and worship Him and talk to Him … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 2,000 Louisianans joined 500,000 others from across the nation and world to stand up for the unborn in the 44th Annual March for Life Friday, Jan. 27. Ben Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, told the Baptist Message that he was encouraged to see so many people brave the cold weather to march for life. “These brave warriors, most of them young people, send a strong message to our nation that life must be protected from beginning to end,” Clapper said. “Over 2000 Louisianians joined the crowd and brought the “Preaux-life” message to Washington DC.” During the pre-march rally, Vice President Mike Pence told the crowd he was humbled to become the highest ranking U.S. official to speak at the event. He said ending tax-payer funded abortions and appointing a pro-life Supreme Court judge are among the priorities of the administration of President Donald Trump. Pence encouraged all supporters of life to show compassion as they continue the pro-life battle. He encouraged supporters of the pro-life movement to show compassion. “Because of all of you and the many thousands who stand with us in marches like this all across the … [Read more...]

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...]