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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Responses reveal impact of La Baptists’ media outreach

By John Kyle, LBC Communications ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBC) – “I would like to know that I am not lost and will be forgiven,” Breaux Bridge, LA “I believe there is a God, but I need help really feeling He is there,” Hammond, LA “I prayed that prayer and started crying,” Belle Chase, LA Quotes along the lines of those above are received on a regular basis in response to Louisiana Baptists’ multi-media outreach strategy, “Here for You,” according to Louisiana Baptist Communication Director John Kyle. “We receive a monthly report from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association outlining responses 25,000 views of the Gospel presentation and more than 4,100 people have indicated a decision for Christ since 2019. There have also been over 1,400 searches for area churches through HereforYou.org. Individuals visiting the website have the opportunity to share prayer requests." Recent requests include: “… I pray for healing release and deliverance from current and past traumas …” “ … I’m going through a really tough time. My husband of 10 years wants a divorce for no specific reason. … Please pray over us …” “I have been having health issues … I’ve lost my job, including my insurance … I can use all of the prayers for … [Read more...]

Messengers to consider LBC resolutions

NEW ORLEANS - Messengers to the 2023 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting will consider five resolutions. RESOLUTION 1: ON PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES WHEREAS, Marriage is the first institution established by God, modeled after the relationship of Christ and His Church (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31-32), and fundamental to the family which is a key construct on earth (Genesis 1:28) and in Heaven (John 1:12; Romans 8:15, 29; Galatians 3:26, 4:6-7); and WHEREAS, God has indicated the importance of the relationship between parents and their child, specifically highlighting this special bond in His first instructions to Israel on how to be a people of God (Exodus 20: 3-17); and WHEREAS, The Bible calls for parents to pray for their child (2 Samuel 12:16; 1 Chronicle 29:16-19; Job 1:5); set an example for their child (Proverbs 20:7); provide their child with food, clothing, shelter and even an inheritance (1 Timothy 5:8; Proverbs 13:22); ensure the safety, supervision and control of their child (Proverbs 13:24; 22:6, 15; 23:13-14; 29:15; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21; Titus 2:1-5); and educate their child, especially spiritually (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; 11:18-21; Johsua 24:15); and WHEREAS, Louisiana law … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three to four weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Andy Jacobson is the interim worship leader at Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles. HOMECOMING Green Oak Baptist Church, Merryville: 139th Homecoming, October 22, 11 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the worship service. Pastor: Mark Norwood. New Prospect Baptist Church, Dubach: Homecoming Sunday, October 22, 10:45 a.m. Guest Speaker: Terry Ganey, Dunn Baptist Church. Special Music: TBA. A potluck meal and congregational singing will follow. Pastor: Marvin Winham. Main Street Mission, Pineville: Homecoming, October 29, 10:30 a.m.. Dinner on the grounds follows the worship service. Pastor: Sam West. Colfax Baptist Church, Colfax: Homecoming Service Nov. 5, 11 a.m. Following the service enjoy a cake/coffee fellowship. Pastor: Shane Anderson. New Hope Baptist Church, Elmer: 150Th … [Read more...]

A statement by the Baptist Mission Center on the indictment of Daryl Stagg

The CenLa Baptist Association (Baptist Mission Center) board of directors released a statement after they learned of the grand jury's decision to indict Daryl Stagg: "The Baptist Mission Center has learned that a former employee, Daryl Stagg, has been indicted by a Grant Parish grand jury. Our prayers and support are with the families and affected persons involved that God will surely bring justice and healing in this difficult situation. Mr. Stagg has not worked with the Baptist Mission Center since early June 2023 and is no longer employed at the Center. It is our understanding that the charges involve allegations solely within his family and have never involved any of his responsibilities or interactions while serving at the Baptist Mission Center." … [Read more...]

NOBTS Jim Henry Institute “Prepare Here” conference calls for ‘servant leadership in uncertain times’

By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS publications and news communications office NEW ORLEANS (NOBTS) - “Servant Leadership in Uncertain Times,” the theme of the first annual Prepare Here Conference hosted by the Jim Henry Leadership Institute of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, drew in 250 pastors, church ministry leaders, and spouses from across 10 states, October 12-13. Featured speakers were Steve Gaines, senior pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis; Robby Gallaty, senior pastor, Long Hollow Church, Hendersonville, Tennessee; and Jamie Dew, NOBTS president. “It’s my prayer that this conference will give [participants] opportunities and instruction, give them models, and give them the privilege to study with leaders and have the opportunity to look at the past and the present, and model their lives after Jesus so they can be the leaders the church desperately needs today,” Jim Henry said, in interview. Breakout sessions addressed issues impacting the pastor’s ministry as well as the student, children’s, music, leadership and administration, and women’s ministries. Kandi Gallaty, wife of Robby Gallaty and author of “Disciple Her” and the “Foundations New Testament” series of Bible reading plans; Tara Dew, … [Read more...]

Grand jury indicts Daryl Stagg

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor COLFAX, La. (LBM) – In a press statement, Oct. 16, Grant Parish District Attorney Jay Lemoine announced that a grand jury had indicted Daryl Ray Stagg on four counts of first-degree rape, five counts of sexual battery and one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile. In Louisiana, a grand jury conducts its investigation in secret with the state's attorney and determines whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. Members only hear the government’s case against the defendant and do not render a verdict. Stagg, 61, was arrested June 8, 2023, and charged at that time with 12 felony counts of sex crimes against at least one child in Grant Parish. Union Parish leveled an additional four charges, then, and noted that these crimes involved one juvenile victim in the Bernice area. The two parishes required a combined bond of $1.45 million. During a joint press conference, June 11, the sheriff’s from Grant, Union and Rapides Parishes revealed there also was an investigation of Stagg in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. At the time of his arrest, Stagg was the associational mission strategist, since October 2018, for the Big Creek and CenLa Baptist Associations (Grant and … [Read more...]

Despite heart attacks, stroke, Longoria thankful

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer DERIDDER, La. (LBM) – Evangelist Lyndon Longoria missed a year from the pulpit, 2019- 2020, during a battle with a stroke and other medical conditions, but through those trials he experienced God’s good­ness through the love displayed by thousands, he said. “I never thought about giving up or quitting. I just didn’t know if I would be able to continue to preach as an evange­list,” Longoria told the Baptist Message. “I knew I could still talk and the Lord could still use me to preach, even if I had to preach sitting down-which I did at the begin­ning. “My faith in the faith­fulness of God has been unwavering,” he contin­ued. “The Word of God has become precious to me again, and has fed my heart and my soul. My faith in God and His ability is in a place it has never been before. There are many struggles and I have battled moments of depression, but my faith in God has overcome it all. I have perfect peace that He will finish what He has started.” TRYING MOMENTS April 19, 2019, started like any other day for Longoria, who was preaching at a revival ser­vice in Cordele, Georgia. But the day turned out to be anything but normal. As Longoria began to preach an “assortment” … [Read more...]

Myers returns ‘home’ as LBC youth strategist

ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – A former Louisiana Baptist student minister who moved out of state in 2019 has returned as the youth strategist for Louisiana Baptists. Lee Myers, who began his new role Oct. 1, most recently was the student minister at First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, Arkansas. “Louisiana has always felt like my Jerusalem,” Myers told the Baptist Message. “The opportunity to come back and serve the state is what the Lord wanted me to do.” A native of Jayess, Mississippi, Myers has served 34 years, collectively, with local churches. In addition to his most recent role in Arkansas, Myers was a student minister with congregations in Mississippi (Shady Grove Baptist Church, Ruth, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Gloster, West McComb Baptist Church, McComb) and Louisiana (Immanuel Baptist Church, Hammond, First Baptist Church, Zachary, First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, and Airline Baptist Church, Bossier City). He also has served as minister of assimilation with Cypress BaptistChurch, Benton; a teacher for Pine Hills Academy, Gloster, Mississippi, and Riverdale Christian Academy, Baton Rouge. He has also volunteered on numerous youth ministry planning committees and groups including the Youth Evangelism Celebration … [Read more...]

Horn emphasizes need for culture of evangelism

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn emphasized the need for and results of a culture of evangelism among Louisiana Baptists when he addressed Executive Board members during their Sept. 26 meeting. “By God’s grace, this will always be our priority for us,” Horn said. “I have shared with you and in various ways the idea of a culture of evangelism. This is what we think about. This is what we do. This is what drives us. This is our prayer. “Louisiana is known for its culture,” he said. “Sometimes that’s good. Sometimes that’s not so good. What it would be like if it would be said of us that there’s a culture of  evangelism.” Horn told board members he has been encouraged in several areas of evangelism this year: -- Crossover and Serve Tour, a pair of evangelistic efforts that took place June 9-10 before the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans, saw 336 recorded professions of faith; -- 207 decisions for Christ took place during LBC-sponsored camps at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center, Woodworth; and -- ‘Here for You,’ Louisiana Baptists’ statewide multi-media campaign, resulted another 206 spiritual … [Read more...]