By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – In May 2015, Sgt. Scott Bullitt was shot while conducting a DUI stop just outside of Monroe on the Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area in Ouachita Parish. After months of rehab therapy, Bullitt – the son of Louisiana Baptist Convention employee Cindy Bullitt  – still faces difficulties as he works toward recovery. During the final session of the 2016 LBC Annual Meeting, messengers honored Bullitt and other law enforcement officers during a presentation by Bill Robertson, pastoral leadership director for Louisiana Baptists. “We pray that God would touch him, restore him to his health, that he could do the things he longs to do and wants to do,” Robertson prayed, as pastors, friends and fellow officers of the law surrounded Bullitt. “And as we pray for him, we remember all of our brothers and sisters that are in law enforcement gathered here today.” Messengers also were led in prayer for members of the Louisiana State Police, Alexandria Police, Pineville Police, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office, Terrebone Parish Sheriff’s office and Winn Parish Sheriff’s office, who were gathered on stage. “The badge has become a target for … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Editor BATON ROUGE – During a joint meeting of the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance Committee, Nov. 18, House members handed a defeat to Gov. John Bel Edwards in his attempt by executive order to create a special civil rights category for sexual orientation and gender identity. Specifically, these lawmakers voted to remove an LGBT non-discrimination provision included in a state insurance contract that was drafted to comply with an Edwards mandate issued in April, granting protected class status for sexual orientation and gender identity with regard to “state employees and employees of state contractors.” In May, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a legal opinion at the request of 32 Louisiana legislators, declaring Edwards’ action to be “non-binding policy” and an attempt “to bypass the legislative process.” Rep. Rick Edmonds, retired pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Shreveport, made the motion to strip the language from the contract. Joining him to reject the LGBT clause, were Rep. Mark Abraham, Rep. Beryl Amedee, Rep. Tony Bacala, Rep. Larry Bagley, Rep. John Berthelot, Rep. Lance Harris, Rep. Cameron Henry, Rep. Bob Hensgins, Rep. Katrina Jackson, Rep. Jack … [Read more...]

By Will Hall & Brian Blackwell ALEXANDRIA – Messengers received a number of entity and ministry reports during the 2016 Louisiana Baptist Convention 2016 annual meeting, including highlights regarding extensive disaster relief efforts in response to two historic floods, and, a progress report on the 2020 Commission goals pertaining to church planting. DISASTER RELIEF In March, more than 3 feet of rain fell in 48 hours in some areas of the state, concentrating in northern parishes, affecting more than 18,000 homes and 14 Louisiana Baptist churches. Importantly, an estimated 85 percent of the state’s trained disaster relief personnel were impacted during this time, according to disaster relief leaders, yet they responded to the many needs of others. Then in August, the state’s southern parishes unexpectedly received 31 inches over a two-day period in some areas. More than 155,000 homes and 72 Louisiana Baptist churches were damaged. “Just like in all the other times of disaster, Dr. Gibbie McMillan and our disaster relief volunteers swung into action for the second time in five months,” said John Hebert, missions and ministry director for Louisiana Baptists. “Like super heroes in yellow shirts but without capes … [Read more...]

During the Pastors' Conference, Louisiana College enlivened the proceedings by recognizing excellence in the pastorate, within groupings of worship attendance up to 100, 500 and more than 500. The winners were, respectively, Cedric Murphy, pastor of Providence No. 1 Baptist Church, Ethel; Steve Armstrong, pastor of Westside Community Church, Addis; and, Brad Jurkovich, pastor of First Baptist Church, Bossier City. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BALL – Pastors, their wives and other members of Louisiana Baptist churches traveled to Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball, Nov. 13-14, to be reminded of and revitalized in their love of Christ and His Gospel. MERRITT James Merritt’s message at the 2016 Louisiana Baptist Pastors’ Conference was simple yet profound – the Gospel is a big deal. “The Gospel is the only message that has the power just like that to take a person from sin to salvation, from hell to Heaven, from darkness to light,” said Merritt, pastor of Cross Pointe Church, Duluth, Ga. “If the Gospel is not true, nothing else really matters. But if the Gospel is true, it is the only thing that matters.” Preaching from 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Merritt said pastors must prioritize, recognize and emphasize the message, meaning and might of the Gospel. “The message of our church is not determined by our mission,” he said. “Our mission is determined by our message, and that message is the Gospel.” ALLEN David Allen told pastors that while it is wonderful to know the facts about God, it is much better to actually know God personally through Christ. Allen said God has revealed seven wonders of His Son, found … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Holding a pair of work gloves like the hundreds that were distributed during his presentation, Keith Manuel invited messengers to the Louisiana Baptist Convention 2016 Annual Meeting to commit to a God-sized vision – evangelize the entire state of Louisiana during 2017-2018. Reaching 4.7 million people with the Gospel in a two-year period may seem daunting, Manuel said, but it is within the realm of possibility through the Harvest initiative, a statewide campaign to engage 700 Louisiana Baptist churches to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in Louisiana. “This task is hard,” Manuel said during the opening session, Monday, Nov. 14, at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. “It will take work. “Let these gloves serve as a reminder, to lift up your eyes and look at the fields for they are white unto harvest. Let’s go to work and envision a Louisiana where every home receives prayer and every person receives a Gospel witness and if the Lord is willing, may we see the greatest harvest of souls, who grow into the greatest group of reproducing disciples Louisiana has ever seen.” Manuel also gave an overview of what he said could be the largest … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – Just two years ago, little Hayden Heaberlin was facing the fight of his life, one that no four year old should have to face – a battle with cancer. But those days of darkness were pierced by the light of God’s mercy and provision. There was the time when 50 people from his church surrounded his home in a prayer circle while his family was with him in Memphis, Tenn., where he was receiving treatments; and, there were countless times when his family relayed to him text messages, phone calls and letters of encouragement. But not even the news that his cancer was in remission caused him to celebrate like he did Oct. 23 when he was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport. The worship center was packed with happy family, friends and church members, and Hayden was all smiles as Pastor John Lary baptized him. “You are a new person,” Hayden said about his conversion. “You don’t look different on the outside but on the inside.” Hayden said his battle with cancer “was tough, but I got through it because God helped me. “He can do anything,” Hayden added. “God healed me.” His mom April describes the day Hayden gave his heart and life to Christ as the day … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LAFAYETTE – At an early age, Ed Newton was faced with a challenge few eight-year-old boys deal with – serving as interpreter for both of his deaf parents. In the midst of that adversity, God drew Newton to a personal relationship with Christ and grew him to become the spiritual leader of one of the largest congregations in the U.S. Now, the 40-year-old pastor of the 27,000-member Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas, uses those experiences of his early life to help youth who are dealing with difficult circumstances. “I made a commitment to [Louisiana Baptist Youth Strategist] Steve Maltempi several years ago to always pour into the lives of teenagers,” Newton said. “Developing the next generation as strong spiritual leaders is crucial. I am very excited about what God will do at YEC.” Called to the ministry as a high school senior, Newton is no stranger to student evangelism. He has served as a youth pastor, faculty member at Student Leadership University in Orlando, Fla., and executive director of the LIFT TOUR, an extension of Student Leadership University in partnership with LifeWay Students. Newton will share his story with more thousands of students expected … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON – The Harvest evangelistic initiative, a two-year statewide soul-winning campaign, will kick off officially at the 2017 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference with an outreach effort targeting teens and college students. The Evangelism Conference also will feature inspiring messages by speakers from Louisiana and beyond, Jan. 23-24, at Temple Baptist Church. Still, the sessions will focus primarily on the Harvest initiative, which aims to enlist at least 700 Louisiana Baptist churches to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in Louisiana. SOUL-WINNING FOCUS Scheduled during the first session of the Evangelism Conference, the kickoff will feature a Gospel presentation by Ed Newton, pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to his message, students will gather inside the church family life center for a pizza party and entertainment. Organizers are encouraging churches around the state to host simultaneous similar events – including the showing of the live Internet broadcast of Newton’s message -- to broaden the geographic reach of this initial event. The remaining sessions of the Evangelism Conference will be broadcast over the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Louisiana College president Rick Brewer credits God and GuideOne insurance for the $12 million of ongoing campus improvement projects that stem from an April 2015 hail storm. Since late May, 17 of 18 school buildings have received new roofs, and some facilities have received interior upgrades. Brewer calls all of the improvements a miracle. “How all of this has unfolded is nothing short of God’s work,” Brewer said. “What began as the inspection of one hail-damaged roof led to the discovery of additional damage caused by an April storm, a year ago. We could not be more grateful for the consideration and cooperation of GuideOne insurance.” Louisiana College contacted GuideOne insurance to request an inspection, which revealed the refurbishment would be rather costly but the insurer agreed to cover all the repairs. Additionally, Campers on Mission, a national Christian fellowship, offered to do some repairs and updates in other areas of the campus. They launched the first wave of construction, refurbishing a fountain near Alexandria Hall, the main administration building, and formed concrete steps close to a dormitory. They also painted numerous curbs, … [Read more...]