WOODWORTH – Brandon Duvall and his son, Brandon Jr., could have spent their weekend catching an LSU baseball game, playing golf or doing many other activities to spend their free time on a beautiful spring weekend. But the father-son duo chose to spend time with other young men learning about missions and what it was like to live in the pioneer days at the annual Royal Ambassador Congress at Tall Timbers Conference Center. “I loved talking to pioneers and how they talked to us about what a man has to do,” said fifth-grader Brandon Duvall Jr., a member of the First Baptist Church Krotz Springs RA group. “This weekend we got to learn about missions and interact with people, some I never met before. It was a pretty interesting time.” His father enjoys how RAs teaches the boys and their leaders about missions, both during and away from RA Congress. “They have so many outdoor activities plus teach our boys how to be men of integrity,” he said. “I look at this as my mission field because so many men aren’t Christians.” The Duvalls were among the 345 people from 21 churches attending this year’s RA Congress. Thirteen boys made decisions for Christ and 9 indicated a re-dedication of their faith. The two-day RA Congress featured the … [Read more...]
Louisiana Bible Drill & Speakers Tournament: “Champions” in the making
Fifteen years have passed since I made the trip to Louisiana College to participate in the Louisiana Baptist Convention Youth High School and Children’s State Bible Drill and Youth Speakers Tournament of which I had previously competed for nine years from fourth to 12th grade. I can remember being so excited about attending the State Drill that, no matter what time of the year my family drove the Pineville Expressway, when I smelled the creosote plant across from Louisiana College it throttled-up my adrenalin. As I pulled up to judge the Speakers Tournament last year at First Baptist Church in Pineville, that same excitement and energy was reignited as I viewed the faces of the 2014 participants. However, the most nostalgic moment came when I walked into the registration area and saw Mrs. Ella Creel, the godly lady who had been my Bible drill teacher for my grade years. She was waiting patiently with the children and the parents of her newest crop of drillers. As I saw her just a few feet away, she was talking to her crew, and I knew exactly what she was doing because her methods have not changed much since the early 90s. Her encouraging words and influence helped strengthen my personal faith walk that has led me to love the … [Read more...]
Coteau Baptist Church showing ‘A Matter of Faith’ on April 18
HOUMA – Coteau Baptist Church is hosting a movie that disproves evolution while raising money for its summer associational mission trip at the same time. “A Matter of Faith” is about a Christian female college student whose Biology professor influences her through his teaching that evolution is the answer of the origin of life. Her father learns of the situation and agrees to debate her professor. Coteau Baptist will show the film on April 18 at 1 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm at 2066 Coteau Road in Houma. The price of admission is $5. Patrons can purchase concessions during all three showtimes. Proceeds from concessions will go toward the Bayou Baptist Association’s mission trip to Philadelphia, Miss. Scheduled for mid-July, the association is hoping to take 100 people to participate in two sports camps, construction projects and nightly revivals. Wayne Hunt, pastor of Coteau Baptist, said to the best of his knowledge, no other church in Louisiana is hosting a showing of the movie, though other movie theaters are doing so. Hunt said the local theater in Houma was not interested in showing the movie, so the company that produced the film asked if Coteau would be interested. Coteau has an HD projector used in movie theaters along with a … [Read more...]
Lane’s senior project helps impact her life, lives in community
PINEVILLE – When Lexi Lane* initially began brainstorming the topic of her senior high school project at Pineville High School, she knew her focus would center on orphans in another country*. She never dreamed how this project would impact her life and many lives around the community. What she received in the process was a return to her roots overseas and seeing first-hand the love of Christ on display through the lives of special needs orphans in the country. Lane said she wanted to go back to see her birthplace, to understand more about the culture, but also to help an orphanage in some way. Lane's life began in a rural area in the country. Adopted at 14 months old, Lane has no memory of what life was like as a baby. When the time came for Lane to choose the topic of her senior project – which is required for graduation – she thought of her desire to give back to her country in doing something for orphans there. Lane’s mom, Pam, started the process by contacting an organization that helps unite families with orphans from around the world. Sean and Pam Keith adopted Lane. Lane was then directed to a childhood advocacy organization. Starting in May 2014, she began raising funds for a trip to work in the orphanage and … [Read more...]
Crockett Point Revival: A POWERFUL MOVEMENT OF GOD
CROWVILLE – Evangelist Bill Britt originally planned to preach just four days at a Crockett Point Baptist Church revival. However, Britt’s scheduled four-day stay at the Deer Creek Association church continued for two weeks as the congregation extended the revival not once, not twice, but three times. By the end of the revival in mid-March, 197 people accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior and numerous others made other decisions for God. Britt could only attribute the extension to one reason – God. “When we came to the end of the scheduled last day each time, crowds were so big and so many saved, we didn’t think the Lord was finished,” Britt said. “It wasn’t just me and Joe but the people who also wanted to keep going. That was a key deal. People were hungry to meet with the Lord and to keep bringing their friends.” Joe Senn, pastor of Crockett Point Baptist, said the extended revival was not about the pastor, congregation or who was on the schedule. The center focus was God and how he moved. “The revival was about allowing the Holy Spirit to move without restraint,” Senn said. “Again, some may believe there is a secret to a revival of this magnitude. Who wouldn’t want to see revival of this nature commence at all … [Read more...]
Every People Group Task Force continues work on plan
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – The Every People Group Task Force met recently, continuing charting a plan on how Louisiana Baptists can reach those of various ethnicities in the state. James Jenkins, church planting director for Louisiana Baptists, said the charge of the task force is three-fold: ● Evaluate the ethnic diversity in Louisiana and its implications for Louisiana Baptists, ● Create avenues for input and involvement in LBC life by non-Anglo leaders and congregations, ● Lead Louisiana Baptists in effective engagement with ministry among all people groups in the state. The task force was appointed as a result of the President’s 2020 Commission, which was affirmed by messengers during the 2013 LBC Annual Meeting in Alexandria. The President’s 2020 Commission report was crafted collaboratively by 400 Louisiana Baptist pastors, leaders, staff members and laypeople working in 20 subcommittees of 20 members each. Ten “key actions in reaching our state” – known as KAIROS – were developed to engage two audiences – the next generation and every people group. As the first step in carrying out its charge, the Every People Group Task Force agreed to outline a missiology for the work … [Read more...]
God revealing Himself in new ways through The Gathering Place
News & Features By Hannah Fleming, Message Staff Reporter PINEVILLE – God is revealing Himself in a new way through The Gathering Place church. Glen Whatley, pastor of The Gathering Place, says God has changed his perspective on church. And in so doing, The Gathering Place has expanded and is now meeting in not one but two locations. “Two years ago in November, I attended a conference where the speaker spoke about becoming a ‘sending’ church,” said Whatley. “The idea was to always be looking to send people out to plant new churches in your area, state, or wherever.” Whatley said when the church outgrew its existing building he wanted to follow the traditional trend of most churches and just build a new building or, perhaps, relocate the entire church to a bigger location. “It was very satisfying to think about expansion in that way. It would have made me look successful and the church proud,” said Whatley. But as hard as it was for Whatley to let go of the old ways, God had spoken and he began to follow God’s Call. He first took the idea to the elders, who began to pray about it, and then it was brought before the congregation where the idea received 100 percent affirmation. Upon surrendering … [Read more...]
Mission awareness and activity once again focal point of M-JAM
LBC & SBC News By Staff, Baptist Message Several hundred GAs and Children in Action will come together to not only learn about missions but do missions together at the annual Mission Jamboree later this month. Known as M-JAM, the event is scheduled at two locations in the state. The schedule will be the same at both locations, which allows for youngsters in first through sixth grade and their leaders to attend M-JAM at the church closest to where they live. Williams Boulevard Baptist in Kenner is hosting the first M-JAM on March 14 while First Baptist Church in Minden is the site for the event on March 21. The Scripture basis for M-JAM is Mark 8:34. “M-Jam is a day of mission’s awareness and mission activity that builds on their faith foundations with a Gospel presentation, that introduces children to ‘real live’ missionaries, and gives them an opportunity to do missions activities with children from around the state,” said Jess Archer, children/youth mission education strategist for Louisiana Baptists. Maegan Bruce on March 14 and Andy Partington on March 21 will use music and interaction during the main celebration sessions to tell the missions story, engage those attending in missions and present the Gospel. Chance Fussell … [Read more...]
RA Congress provides boys a little taste of pioneer days
LBC & SBC News By Staff, Baptist Message WOODWORTH – Young men will get a taste of pioneer days at this year’s Royal Ambassador Congress. Starting and extinguishing a fire, how a yoke of oxen work together as a team and eating a meal out of a chuck wagon are among the activities planned for this year’s annual gathering of first through sixth grade boys. RA Congress begins March 27 and concludes the following day at Tall Timbers Conference Center. “There are moments growing up that have created “snapshots” on the memory banks of my mind,” said Mike Collie. “An RA campout is one of those snapshots. I believe this is one of those snapshot events.” While RA Congress will feature events unique to its theme “Take Me Back To Pioneer Days”, the weekend will also include traditional favorites such as pinewood derby and soapbox car races, archery, rope crafts, bb gun shooting, slingshots, hatchet throwing and presentations from missionaries. The missionaries coming this year include those from the North American and International Mission Board. The cost for RA Congress is average of $76.00 per person, based on multiple occupancy. To register, visit LouisianaBaptists.org/RACongress or contact Tall Timbers by phone at 318.445.6797 or … [Read more...]
DR Roundtables prepare teams to properly respond to crisis
LBC & SBC News By Brian Blackwell. Message Staff Writer RUSTON – Ever wanted to minister to victims of a hurricane, tornado or flood in the United States? Then March 21 may be that chance when Temple Baptist Church in Ruston hosts a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief roundtable. The roundtable offers one-day training for anyone interested in becoming a part of a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief team. Stanley Statham, a blue hat (unit director) for the disaster relief team for the Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana, said disaster relief training is important because it prepares church members to respond to those in crisis in an effective way. “Often when a disaster strikes people want to respond but lack the skills and knowledge to do so in an effective way,” said Statham, who also is director of missions for the association. “Responding to disasters gives every believer an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ. James 1:27 states, Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction. “In the first century widows and orphans were the most vulnerable of society,” he continued. “Survivors of disasters are left in a vulnerable state and cannot pay back … [Read more...]
