Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Bosnian immigrant finds more than American dream

By Karen Pearce, Baptist Press SHREVEPORT (BP) - Warmth enveloped Jasmine when she came up from the baptismal waters at Broadmoor Baptist Church. "Everything was warm around me and I was feeling happiness and like finally I'm complete," she said. "I can say it now aloud.... 'That's me, that's what I am, I am Baptist.'" "I can say it out loud now, 'That's me, that’s what I am. I am Baptist,'" Jasmine, a Bosnian immigrant, said after being baptized by Donny Durr, minister of business administration at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport. Although being Baptist is a common thing in Jasmine's current home state of Louisiana, it is quite unusual in her home country. She grew up in Bosnia where Islam, Orthodoxy and Catholicism vie for prominence. She was born into a Muslim family - her grandfather was an imam. But her father was an atheist and her mother was never willing to be labeled. "She always said there is just one God and God will help you. That was her way -- to find God, to believe that He's a savior, He's a father," Jasmine said. Her mother's faith opened the way for Jasmine to seek. Today, Jasmine knows that she has met the true God, Jesus Christ, and she has taken the brave step to publically declare her … [Read more...]

A special life: Make-A-Wish Foundation documenting life of special needs child Hendrix Ebert

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer FOREST HILL – Eight-year-old Hendrix Ebert has experienced more setbacks in his young life than most people do in their lifetimes. Born with a condition where the pulmonary veins between his heart and lungs did not work properly, he had open heart surgery at birth. His trachea and esophagus were not attached to his stomach; three bones in each middle ear did not form correctly; he has pulmonary disease, and, he is undergoing a protracted program of speech therapy. Yet, Hendrix is not defined by these difficulties, but by his lovable personality which blesses each person who comes in contact with him. “People lift him up but he does the same for them,” said his mother, Rebecca. “He has this ability to know your need. “So many people want him to feel special, but he makes so many people feel special in return,” she continued. “Hendrix has this incredible zest for life that will touch you for a lifetime.” His story is being chronicled in a documentary, thanks to a request granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Since March, a film crew has followed him at his school, church, recreational spots in Indiana, and most recently at Elwood Baptist Church during Vacation Bible … [Read more...]

God moves with numerous baptisms at Trinity Baptist

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LAKE CHARLES – Trinity Baptist Church planned to baptize 24 people on June 28, as a special celebration of how God has blessed the congregation’s evangelism efforts so far this year. But by the time the last person came out of the baptismal waters, 46 had been obedient to the Holy Spirit, joining 108 others who have been baptized at Trinity this year. “When people started responding to that call to come, everyone stood up cheering and clapping,” said Greg Bath, minister of evangelism at Trinity. “It was unbelievable. During our second service of the day, we were here way past 12:00 (when the service was scheduled to end) and no one had left. “No one wanted to leave,” he added. “They wanted to see God moving.” The special emphasis, designated as Declaration Celebration, was promoted by the staff for several months. Nine new believers were scheduled for baptism during the first worship service, with 15 slated in the second. But time also was reserved for additional baptisms, and, just in case, TBC Pastor Steve James had brought a bag with t-shirts, shorts and towels to accommodate those who made decisions that day. The newly baptized members represented a broad range … [Read more...]

LC and Rapides Parish School Board strike dual enrollment agreement

By Norm Miller, LC Communications PINEVILLE - The Rapides Parish School Board voted July 7 to partner with Louisiana College to allow qualified high school students to enroll at the college in up to six hours of college courses per semester. “We are pleased almost beyond words with this development,” said Dr. Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana College. “We are grateful for the cooperation of board president Keith Breazeale and all the board members, and for their unified vision of advancing the educational quality and content for local residents. Louisiana College is elated to be a part of that equation.” Dual enrollment permits qualified high school juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses that, when successfully completed will apply to the students’ high school and college credit hours simultaneously. Limited enrollment for high school sophomores may be available, but will require the high school principal’s recommendation. Dual enrollment will be available to homeschooled students whose curricula meet Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements. “The academic and economic benefits of our agreement are remarkable,” Brewer said. “Those benefitting the most from this include … [Read more...]

First West hires new executive pastor

  First West hires new executive pastor WEST MONROE – First West has a former Tennessee executive pastor to the same position. Formerly at First Baptist Church in Collierville, Tenn., Tim Spencer was hired as the new executive pastor of First West, the church announced on July 5. As executive pastor, Spencer will oversee the daily operations of First West, as well as provide leadership to its staff and various ministries. Spencer, who has been married to his wife Suzy for 21 years, said his family is excited about the future at the Northeast Louisiana Baptist Association church. “What a blessing to join the incredible work and ministry God is doing at First West,” Spencer said in a news release. “Suzy and I are excited about working with Lead Pastor Michael Wood and entire leadership team to share God’s love in Northeast Louisiana, New Orleans and the world. We are praying for great things. Things that only God can do. We have the faithful expectation that First West will be energized for Christ-centered worship, community and service.” Spencer has served at First Baptist Collierville since June 2000. In addition to executive pastor, Spencer has served as associate pastor of worship as well as leading key … [Read more...]

Georgia Barnette Mission Conference Center Update

By Joe Dupree, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH -- If you have been to Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth recently, you may have noticed some construction going on in the middle of the campus. What is being built between the main offices and the cafeteria is the $1.255 million, 8,400-square-foot Georgia Barnette Mission Conference Center. “The Georgia Barnette Conference Center will be a valuable asset to recapture missions as a primary goal of our work in reaching Louisiana for Christ,” said John Hebert, Missions & Ministry Director “The building will contain an on-site office, coffee bar in a spacious foyer, an assembly area that will seat 280 (400 with wings expanded), and seven conference/training.” "We are very excited about getting this project going," said Robert Woods, Louisiana Baptist Convention's Mission Builder Strategist. "When it is finally finished, it will be a great building for Louisiana Baptists. It's something we've been looking forward to starting and the groups who will be coming to help us build it." The pouring of the concrete slab took place Monday (June 29) and framing of the building will begin July 13 when 45 Kingdom Builders volunteers from Louisiana and Texas come to lend a … [Read more...]

Police seek additional information on former New Orleans youth minister accused of sexually abusing juveniles

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – Investigators are seeking any additional information on a former youth minister arrested on allegations of sexually abusing two teenage boys. Ryan Rodgers, who was a youth minister at several churches in Jefferson, Orleans and Plaquemines parishes, turned himself into authorities the morning of June 26. Rodgers is accused of touching two teenage boys in appropriately while they were sleeping, according to a press release from the New Orleans Police Department. The victims informed detectives that Rodgers woke the boys and fondled them. They told Detective Stephanie Taillon this went on for more than a year. Taillon learned Rodgers bought the victims underwear and made them pose in front of him. Most of the encounters occurred inside Rodgers’ Baronne Street apartment in New Orleans, the press release said. Detectives believe Rodgers assaulted other victims as well and are asking anyone who is a victim to contact Taillon at 504.658.5733. When the news first broke, some media outlets implied Rodgers had an ongoing affiliation with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, identifying him as a youth minister with the seminary. However, according to Kelley, these … [Read more...]

LC’s Brewer to bi-vocational pastors: ‘Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly.’

By Norm Miller, Louisiana College Communications PINEVILLE --  Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana College, keynoted the June 26 afternoon session of the Bi-vocational and Small Church Leadership Network National Celebration, held June 26-27 on LC’s campus. Prior to his remarks, Brewer invited the Blackwell Trio -- who had opened the meeting -- to join him around the piano in an impromptu mini-songfest. “I want to share with you a few words of challenge and commitment,” Brewer later said, referring to Micah 6:8 as “a summary statement for those of us as Christ followers.” Brewer quoted the verse: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” “If we could just simply do those things daily, what an impact we would have on the world around us,” Brewer said. “To act justly. You know what that means: do the right thing … be men and women of integrity … be a peacemaker. Do the things that bring about healing.” Loving mercy means to be merciful, “to extend acts of kindness, random acts of kindness” and practice the “Golden Rule -- to treat people even better than you would expect to be treated -- to leave places … [Read more...]

Persecution: Are you ready?

By Sherwon Williamson, Magnolia Baptist Church in Saline, La. I’m sure everyone is aware of the recent Supreme Court decision legalizing homosexual marriage across the nation. If you have turned on a TV or logged on to the internet in the past few days you are also aware of the outpouring of opinions from people on both sides of the issue. While the issue of homosexuality is an important and pertinent topic of discussion, and one of which I am convinced that Scripture is very clear on, it is not the topic I want to discuss now. I want to talk about something that I believe is a little deeper and that some people may not even realize yet. That something is persecution. When was the last time you thought about persecution? When was the last time you thought about it in the context of you or your family being persecuted right here at home? Sadly, I must confess that this is not a topic that I meditate on often. This is not something that we experience very often here in the United States, at least not blatantly, and we have taken that freedom for granted. I believe that is freedom that we will find more and more lacking in the coming years. The legalization of homosexual marriage is not the root issue. After all, … [Read more...]

Gunter resigns as Grant Parish Justice of the Peace in response to Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage

By Philip Timothy, Message Managing Editor POLLOCK – Patricia Gunter stands firm on her faith and her beliefs. On June 26, following the ruling by the U.S. Supreme court to make same-sex marriage legal throughout the land, Gunter quietly turned in her resignation which became effective Tuesday. She is the first justice in the peace in Louisiana to resign in response to the Supreme Court ruling. A justice of the peace conducts marriages, authorizes evictions and arbitrates disputes valued at less than $5,000. The 390 justices of the peace in Louisiana are not paid but can keep half of the filing fees. Connie Moore, head of the Louisiana Justice of the Peace and Constable Association, told the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate in a July 1 article she has been getting a lot of questions since Friday. Some JPs flatly refuse to issue licenses to same-sex couples, while some are wondering how little they can get away with, and others are asking how to fill out the forms now. “God’s word is the ultimate authority,” said Gunter Wednesday morning. “He clearly laid it all out when he said that marriage is between one man and one woman. Therefore, when the Supreme Court ruling allowed same-sex marriages, I felt, as a Christian, it … [Read more...]