Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Ways messengers can participate

BOSSIER CITY – This year’s annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention will be held at First Baptist Church in Bossier City, LA on November 9-10, 2015. In order for a church to participate in the business of the convention, they will need to elect messenger(s) to represent them. Messengers elected by their respective church are then able to register as messengers and participate in the business of the convention. The Credentials Committee oversees the registration process for the annual meeting. Roger Johnson, LBC Credentials Committee Chairman notes that there are five ways that messengers may be certified to participate and vote at this year’s annual convention. The first and simplest way is for messengers to pre-register using the LBC online program, print out their registration card, and bring the card to the annual meeting. Pre-registration in this way allows messengers to be certified within a matter of minutes, Johnson said. Second, if messengers have not pre-registered, bringing a letter from their church on church letterhead stating that they are elected messengers will allow them to register and be certified to vote. Third, a church officer can phone in the names of elected … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting

Bylaw Amendment Change That the Louisiana Baptist Convention meeting at First Baptist Church, Bossier City, November 9-10, 2015 amend the Louisiana Baptist Convention Bylaws, Article III, Section 5, as follows: The Committee on Credentials shall be composed of seven (7) members. It shall supervise the registration and accreditation of messengers to the Convention, and shall manage the application process for congregations desiring to become a cooperating church with the Louisiana Baptist Convention and qualified to send messengers for the first time. It shall recommend to the Convention, when necessary, the disaffiliation of any Louisiana Baptist Convention church that no longer complies with the Convention’s definition of a cooperating church. It shall recommend action to the Convention concerning disputes as to status of persons as messengers. … [Read more...]

Louisiana ACLU accuses Airline High, principal of pushing religion

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY – Northwest Louisiana is the sight of yet another battle for religious freedom in public schools. The Louisiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union recently sent a letter to the superintendent of the Bossier Parish Schools, accusing Airline High School of “engaging in a pattern of religious proselytization.” The letter states that prayer boxes with Christian symbols have been established throughout the school and religious messages have been included in newsletters posted on Airline High School’s website. After the letter was sent to Bossier Parish Schools, the ACLU learned information from a source was not entirely accurate. “We had a photograph of those boxes and were told that they were scheduled to be installed the next day, which did not happen,” said ACLU Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman in an email to The Baptist Message. “Our goal is, as it always is, to ensure compliance with the law. I hope you will make clear that the ACLU has a long and proud history of defending the religious rights of all Americans.” The ACLU also states in the letter they understand that Airline High School Principal Jason Rowland has encouraged students to … [Read more...]

Prayer breakfast first step toward a pregnancy care center in Cenla

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer POLLOCK – For nearly two years, Brian Gunter has prayed for a way to minister to hundreds of women struggling with crisis pregnancy who are living in central Louisiana. Now Gunter believes God has answered his prayers, with the possible establishment of a pregnancy care center in the area. “The desire of my heart is to see our Southern Baptist churches in Cenla engage in a cooperative missions effort to share the gospel with these women and to save the lives of their unborn children,” Gunter, pastor of First Baptist Church of Pollock, wrote in a letter mailed to churches in the central Louisiana area. “Southern Baptists are adamantly pro-life and missions-minded. It is time that we practice what we preach because God has called us to save souls and save lives. This is our opportunity to do so.” Gunter said that starting a pregnancy care center allows for Southern Baptists to do what they are known for – carrying the gospel around the world, but closer to home. He said that the problem of the women is not that they are unmarried or pregnant out of wedlock, but rather symptoms of a problem – their need for Christ. Gunter said this pregnancy care center will be used to introduce … [Read more...]

Employing ‘The Bridge,’ Nicholls BCM experiencing decision after decision

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer THIBODAUX – Before the fall semester began, the Baptist Collegiate Ministry leadership at Nicholls State University was praying for at least one student to come to a saving relationship with Christ. By the end of September, they had gotten much more – 19 to be exact. “It’s pretty wild,” said Nicholls BCM President Zach Vorenkamp, a senior from Houston, Texas. “The Lord is really moving. If it’s anything we are doing, it’s being intentional – sharing the gospel and creating disciples.” The catalyst for the growth began when BCM Director Conan Sherlin and his wife, Christy, and a friend of the BCM attended a national conference for BCM directors. It was there they were led to discuss with the leadership team at Nicholls a vision to share Jesus with students through the gospel appointments method. Gospel appointments begin with someone in leadership connecting with a first-time visitor to the BCM, asking for a phone number with the intention of sending a text and invitation to coffee within 48 hours. Then, two BCM members – one experienced and one just learning – sit down with the individual and explaining the gospel using the Bridge illustration. Through this method, the BCM … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

ON THE MOVE Jonathan (wife Amy) LeFleur is the new associate pastor of youth and administration at Mulberry Baptist Church in Houma. Jason (wife Becky) Shawley is the new associate pastor of students at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Albany. HOMECOMING Colyell Baptist Church, Livingston: 164th Homecoming and Fall Revival, Oct. 25-28, homecoming, Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m. A covered dish lunch and fellowship will follow the service. Revival, Oct. 25, 6 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday, 7 p.m. Speaker: Lynn Rodrigue. Music: Jim Richardson. Pastor: Bill Holifield. Parhams Baptist Church, Jonesville: Homecoming, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the service. Speaker: Tony Ganey. New Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, Shreveport: 40th anniversary celebration, Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m. The theme for the occasion is, “God’s People Laboring in the Building of His Kingdom,” Psalm 127:1. Speaker: Gilbert Ross. Pastor: Danny R. Mitchell, Jr. Eastside Baptist Church, Rayville: Homecoming, Nov. 1, 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served after service. Revival: Nov. 2-4, 6 p.m. The Crusaders will be in concert and worship. Pastor: Chris Crawford. Woodlawn Baptist Church, Woodlawn:  66th Homecoming Celebration, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.  Speaker: … [Read more...]

Luter challenges worshippers to read Bible, follow its rules at National African American Fellowship Kingdom Symposium

By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press PHILADELPHIA (BP) -- Christians can lead holy lives by the same power the Apostle Paul called on in his struggle between the flesh and the Spirit recorded in Romans 7, immediate past Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter told worshippers at a Philadelphia gathering of black Southern Baptist pastors and leaders. "The reason Southern Baptists … I am convinced that we can win this battle is because of this fact. You're not fighting this battle on your own. You're not fighting this battle under your own strength," Luter said in the Sept. 30 keynote sermon of the National African American Fellowship Kingdom Symposium at Nazarene Baptist Church. "The reason we can win this battle … is because of the Jesus that's in you, because of the power of Christ that is in you." Luter's sermon, "The Super Bowl for Your Soul," capped presentations by seven other pastors and denominational leaders at the event hosted by NAAF president and Nazarene Baptist Church Pastor K. Marshall Williams Sept. 29–30 at the church in the historic Germantown community. "Living Holy and Clean in 2015: What shall we say to these things?" was the symposium theme. "The enemy is after your mind, your marriage, your … [Read more...]

More Canaanite evidence found by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary dig team

By Gary D. Myers, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary communications KARMEI YOSEF, Israel (BP) - Added evidence that an ancient water system at Tel Gezer in Israel could be the product of Middle Bronze Age Canaanites living between the time of Abraham and the Israelite conquest was uncovered by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's archaeology team during a challenging dig season this summer. The Bible provides a tantalizing parallel to the Gezer system in the accounts of King David. In 2 Samuel 5:6-9, David's men utilized a "water shaft" to invade and conquer the fortress of Zion/Jerusalem. This rock-hewn system has been located in Jerusalem's "City of David" area. Visitors can walk the entire length of that Canaanite system. Based on all the available data, Dan Warner, co-director of the NOBTS Gezer dig, believes the City of David tunnel and the Gezer system are both products of the Middle Bronze Age. The Gezer water system excavation is a joint project of the Moskau Institute for Archaeology at NOBTS and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA). The dig is co-directed by Dan Warner, an NOBTS professor, and INPA chief archaeologist Tsvika Tsuk. Jim Parker, NOBTS professor and executive director of the … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief team leaves for South Carolina

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer CHARLESTON, SC – A Louisiana Baptist mud out team is responding to a call for help in the wake of the recent flooding in South Carolina. The team of eight from Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association, Northshore Baptist Association and Two Rivers Baptist Association left Monday for Charleston. They are expected to remain there a week. Moisture from Hurricane Joaquin caused up to 20 inches of rainfall in parts of South Carolina from Oct. 3-5. The result was flooded homes, washed out roadways and damage to businesses. Louisiana Baptist state disaster relief director Gibbie McMillan is asking anyone available to sign up to serve on for additional teams that will be sent. “We are asking for other teams that would be able to go,” McMillan said. “The need is great and we are fully intending to do this through December.” Some monetary donations have been received to help offset the costs for disaster relief work there. But more than money, prayer is needed, McMillan said. “When you get a burden from praying, you will want to give,” McMillan said. “Thanks Louisiana Baptists for all you do to enable those who can go and serve. It is not overlooked.” To donate, go to … [Read more...]

Lowery tells E4 audience persecution is coming, be prepared

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Fred Lowery believes persecution of Christians in the United States is coming and believers should be prepared. When those difficult times do come, Christians should find comfort that the Lord is right beside them as they try to stand strong in their faith, Lowery told those attending the recent E4 Preaching Conference at First Baptist Church in Pineville. “For the first time, we are facing amazing persecution in America,” said Lowery, who retired in 2004 after serving as pastor of First Bossier for more than 30 years. “Everything else is alright. The only thing that is wrong is to be a born-again Christian and they somehow see us as the hate people, the bigots and the idiots. “We will face persecution in our lifetime, you as pastors, we as churches,” he continued. “We need to understand and get encouragement because we’re going to need the Lord as we go through persecution more than ever.” Lowery said that the world is in trouble and evil out of control. Every week Lowery said he is asked what is happening and he then becomes excited. “I have the answer,” Lowery said. “Jesus. That’s exactly what this world is coming to.” Citing Revelation 1, Lowery shared … [Read more...]