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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

FBC Lafayette’s Singing Christmas Tree draws more than 4,000

By Message staff LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) – The worship center of First Baptist Church, Lafayette, recently was transformed into a makeshift Cajun village whose centerpiece was a giant Singing Christmas Tree. During performances, Dec. 9-12, the audiences were treated to music by a choir stationed on platforms on the tree decorated with more than 100,000 lights, along with Christian tunes by an orchestra, local Cajun band and a drama team. The drama included a plan of salvation throughout the production, including an invitation from Pastor James Pritchard to accept Christ at the close of each performance. All who attended were invited to complete a response card for a chance to win one of 20 gift cards from Logan Farms Honey Glazed Hams in Lafayette. According to Minister of Media Dennis Clark, 3,995 attended the four performances at the church while another 700 tuned into the livestream. The most recent performances marked the 19th time First Baptist Lafayette has held the Singing Christmas Tree since the first one in 1985. During that time, it has been held at the church and the Cajundome in Lafayette.   … [Read more...]

Concord-Union churches, Rolling Hills donate $6,000 to trailer park residents impacted by tornado

By Baptist Message staff FARMERVILLE, La. (LBM) – A tornado leveled a trailer park in Farmerville on Dec. 13, injuring two dozen people and leaving 30 residents without food, clothing and other basic necessities. Area churches and Rolling Hills Ministry in Ruston were quick to step in with assistance as the needy individuals from Honduras and Nicaragua received air the following day. According to RHM Director of Ministries John Cowling, RHM Director David Abernathy, his wife, Jerri, and himself were assessing damage the tornado caused in the area when they were directed by local authorities to Alex, who manages the individuals who lived in the trailer park. After a brief conversation, Alex agreed to transport the residents to RHM’s thrift store, where they received clothing, other necessities, and a lunch. Later that evening, RHM also provided supper for the residents at their temporary housing, an apartment complex in Farmerville. Additionally, area churches from Concord-Union Baptist Association upon learning of the storm victims need donated $3,000, with RHM matching the donation. Each resident received $200 during a special prayer service, Dec. 14, at the former Farmerville High School. Cowling said he was … [Read more...]

Tornadoes wreak havoc on state, causes multiple deaths

By Baptist Message staff KEITHVILLE, La. (LBM) – Multiple tornadoes ripped through Louisiana Tuesday and Wednesday, damaging homes and businesses, and causing multiple injuries and at least two confirmed deaths. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office posted on their Facebook page that a mother, Yoshiko A. Smith, 30, and her son, Nikolus Little, 8, were found dead in the Pecan Farms area of Keithville. The mother was discovered under debris one street from her home while the boy was found deceased in a wooded area of Pecan Farms a half-mile from where the home was destroyed. One additional injury was reported after an adult male was transported to a local hospital. The extent of injuries was unknown. There was also severe damage reported by law enforcement and storm chasers near Four Forks in southwest Caddo Parish as a tornado crossed Hwy 169 early Tuesday afternoon. In Farmerville, nearly 25 people were injured when a tornado caused significant damage in a neighborhood including an apartment complex along Hwy 2 near Scotts Hideaway Road in Union Parish, according to KNOE-TV in Monroe. The National Weather Service also said a confirmed tornado was reported on the ground in Madison Parish at around 10:30 Tuesday … [Read more...]

Good Shepherd Hispanic celebrates debt retirement

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer METAIRIE, La. (LBM) – Good Shepherd Hispanic Baptist Church recently celebrated the retirement of $1,085,000 in debt on the congregation’s education building. Members rejoiced during a special note burning service, Oct. 8, and leaders said they are preparing to renovate the worship center to accommodate the growing congregation. “I can’t describe the joy,” Pastor Gonzalo Rodriguez told the Baptist Message. “People are excited and see that God is doing many great things. We are united with God in what He is doing, and we appreciate that He is blessing us.” Since God planted a desire in Rodriguez’s heart to start a small Bible study group (five people in 1980), Good Shepherd has grown to a church that in 2022 averaged 300 in worship and baptized 26 new believers. The growth and baptisms underscore the importance his congregation places on reaching Hispanics in the New Orleans area, and beyond, for Christ. The church recently ordained a member, Fernando Vera, to the ministry; and in July, he became missions pastor at First Baptist Church, Bogalusa. Additionally, the church has sent money and supplies to help churches share Christ’s love in Guatemala, Honduras and … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

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 Rick Daniels is the interim Pastor at Belcher Baptist Church, Belcher. Kurt Zortman is the interim Pastor at Elm Grove Baptist Church, Bossier City. Zeke Toups is the new music director at South Bossier Baptist Church, Bossier City. Tonya Blanton is the new children’s minister at New Chapel Hill, West Monroe. Jimmy White and Wes Coleman were ordained to the gospel ministry at McClendon Baptist Church, West Monroe. Jimmy serves as music minister and Wes serves as college and young adult minister. Chris Holloway is the new associational mission strategist for the Gulf Coast Baptist Association. Harry Brown resigns as pastor of First Baptist Church, Ringgold to become new director of Camp Harris. Aaron Coffey, First Baptist Church, Homer, is the new director to Bienville, Webster, Claiborne … [Read more...]

LBCHFM program awarded Community Partner of 2022

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services recently named Connect1Child its Community Partner of the Year. During the 24th annual adoption celebration at the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge, Nov. 6, DCFS honored Connect[1]1Child (Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries’ off-campus foster care and adoption ministry) with this special recognition and announced other award winners in a celebration of the 538 families who adopted 700 children and youth from foster care during the past year. “To see Governor Edwards and First Lady Edwards join the other organizations and the kids to celebrate the adoptions was quite the experience,” LBCHFM Foster Care and Adoption Specialist Christy Goodwin told the Baptist Message. “We were honored to be the ones chosen for this special award.” Since its inception in 2014, Connect1Child has helped hundreds of families impact the lives of over a thousand children in the state foster care system. The ministry includes a team of social workers trained in trauma-informed care who work closely with the DCFS and other foster care community partners to understand the needs of foster … [Read more...]

ESL ministry brings the world to Louisiana

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer COVINGTON, La. (LBM) – The opportunity to reach the world for Christ has come to Louisiana Baptist churches through English as a Second Language classes, according to leaders of various teaching ministries. “It’s exciting to see God use ESL ministry to reach lives for people to share the Gospel, and for students to be encouraged and helped through our churches,” Shannon Brown, a Louisiana Baptist ESL trainer, told the Baptist Message. “You don’t have to have certain qualifications to serve in this ministry. If you speak English, you can teach ESL.” According to Brown, a member of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, at least 50 Louisiana Baptist churches host an ESL ministry. However, many more are needed to make a Kingdom impact on non-English speaking Louisianans, Brown added. “Churches should know they should get involved, no matter how big or how small they are,” she said. “As long as they have the heart for others, they can make an impact in a big way through ESL.” JEFFERSON BAPTIST CHURCH Twice a week, more than 100 students from 12 nationalities participate in ESL classes at Jefferson Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, church records show. But more … [Read more...]