By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor GILBERT, La. (LBM)— It is not often that a revival begins with evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit already in sight. But the annual Bill Britt four-day event with the First Baptist Church in Gilbert began with 19 baptisms, reflecting transformed hearts before the first word was preached. Pastor Bubba Ezell told the Baptist Message that lives began to be changed after the congregation committed to showing greater respect for the value of one soul. He said he returned from the 2023 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference in January and told his congregation, “I would sell this building for one soul. I would give it all up for a soul.” He said it was the challenge of “How far are we willing to go?” that created a spark in the church. Ezell emphasized this point by sharing about a particular example within their Amazing Grace addiction recovery ministry, which has about 30 members. “I started asking them to witness to one person a week, and to write it down,” he explained. “Three of our guys led people to Christ.” Other things began happening and before long, he said, “We started getting our hearts right with God about the value of a soul.” “The Holy Spirit is … [Read more...]

By Britney Glaser, Special to the Baptist Message LONGVILLE, La. (LBM) - August 27, 2020, will forever be a milestone in the life of the First Baptist Church in Longville, Louisiana. In the early morning hours, Hurricane Laura – a category 4 storm with 150 mph winds – struck, tearing off the worship center roof, and damaging sur rounding buildings. The 50 people who had taken refuge in the church found themselves moving from room to room as the roof began to pull free. Then, with the rising of the sun a few hours later, a new reality dawned. “I knew we needed to get started with something,” Pastor Corey Townsley told the Baptist Message. “We didn’t sleep the night before, but it wasn’t like we could get any rest that day with no power. The destruction was overwhelming. We knew we had to start working and serving. Some got to work at the church grounds, others went out to clear roads and people’s homes.” Dedication and service is not new to FBC Longville, a congregation that dates to 1907. The church has a longtime Helping Hands ministry that assists members as well as the surrounding community. Several congregants have trained and served with the Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief. “Immediately after the … [Read more...]

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 weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Les Colvin has retired as pastor at First Baptist Church, Zachary. n Coy (wife LeAnne) Fuqua is the new pastor at North Keithville, Keithville. John Oswalt retiring as music director at Belle Park Baptist Church, Haughton. Mickey Alexander is the new pastor at Enterprise Baptist Church in Farmerville. Eric Green is the new pastor at Bayou Vista Baptist Church, Morgan City. Luke (wife Jenn) Lusted is the new music minister at First Baptist Church, Shreveport. He comes from Camelback Bible Church, Paradise Valley. Aaron (wife Seana) Greenwood is the new music minister at Woodridge Baptist Church from Farley Street Baptist Church, Waxahachie, Texas. J.D. Jones has resigned as Children’s minister from Calvary Baptist Church, Shreveport to become associate pastor at Fellowship Community Church, … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – First through sixth grade boys will embark on a “Quest for truth” (Eph. 6:11) during the 2023 Royal Ambassador Congress, March 31-April 1 on the Tall Timbers Conference Center campus. The event will feature jousting; an archery exhibition led by David Easterling, pastor of First Baptist Church, Pine; a petting zoo; and an encouraging message by Jonathan Murphy, connections pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria. RA Congress also will include a Pinewood Derby; soap box races; and a Gospel presentation from Keith Manuel, Louisiana Baptist evangelism and church growth team director, and his dog, Luke. Additionally, participants will help assemble hygiene kits with Matt Tyson, pastor of 318 Church, Shreveport. “RA Congress is a time of fellowship and celebration for RA groups across the state for their work throughout the year,” Louisiana Baptist Men’s Ministry and Disaster Relief Strategist Stan Statham told the Baptist Message. “It’s also a time to further their missions education and have a hand-on missions experience.” For more information or to download a registration form, please visit https://louisianabaptists.org/event/ra-congress/ … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Pro-life supporters must be proactive in opposing a possible bill that if passed during the upcoming legislation could legalize abortion in the case of rape or incest in the state, Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper said during the “Keep Louisiana Pro-Life! RV Tour” stop at the Louisiana Baptist state mission center, March 15. “We’re concerned about that type of legislation passing in Louisiana,” he said. “That’s why we have decided to canvass the state, cross the state, to engage with legislators, engage with pro-life citizens to make sure people are educated and talking about these critical issues in our society.” Clapper was among those who spoke during a tour that began Feb. 27 and ends May 10 at Pro-Life Day at the Capitol in Baton Rouge. During each stop, speakers have encouraged the crowd to defend life and provide support to women in need. Participants also have been encouraged to sign a petition that asks Gov. John Bel Edwards and state legislators to oppose any legislation that would legalize abortion. BACKGROUND The tour comes on the heels of a June 24, 2022, ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade. … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – The Center for Calling & Career at Louisiana Christian University will host a job fair March 16 for students seeking future employment. Scheduled 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. inside Granberry Conference Center, the event will allow students to submit resumes and applications, and visit with representatives of 36 different employers. “Our goal is hosting a Career Fair each semester on campus,” said LCU Vice President for Student Life Meredith Rennier. “The Center for Calling and Career is preparing graduates by creating these networking opportunities for students to meet with employers throughout the state. We work with students throughout the academic year in hosting various workshops that include resume writing, interview skills, dining etiquette and LinkedIn 101 all in preparation for preparing for life after graduation.” LCU President Rick Brewer added: “Local employers continue to demonstrate their trust in the students who complete their college undergraduate education with Louisiana Christian University by joining us for this annual event. Employers realize students who are products of the University’s Mission and Vision are ready to lead, learn and serve in the workplace.” Thirty-two employers … [Read more...]

By Staff NEW ORLEANS (BCM) – Baptist Community Ministries has partnered with three New Orleans organizations to provide a $3 million grant that will be used to advocate for greater access to early childhood education in the city. According to a news release from the organization, the money will be distributed to New Orleans Baptist Association, Agenda for Children and Louisiana Policy Institute over the next three years and will strive to add enough seats in a classroom to accommodate all children ages 0-5 that live in neighborhoods where early childhood education centers are located. More than 68 percent of children in New Orleans’ most vulnerable neighborhoods live in households below the ALICE Threshold, representing the minimum income level necessary for survival. Their families cannot afford housing, health care, food, transportation, and child care. By advocating for quality early childhood education seats, working families will have a stable environment for their children to receive a holistic educational experience while helping parents to be able to work normal hours and miss fewer workdays. “All of our city’s early learners deserve safe, supportive, educational environments, and that need is even more … [Read more...]