By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Kevin Ulmer, pastor with First Baptist Church, Ferriday, is the new evangelism strategist for Louisiana Baptist congregations. Ulmer, whose first day on the job was July 1, said he is excited to work with Louisiana Baptists toward one common goal in the state. “I can't think of a greater task to be carrying out than to encourage people to share the Gospel,” Ulmer told the Baptist Message. “I want to encourage them to not only have a sense of duty to evangelism, but to have a sense of desire for evangelism. “I think for the most part, most church members have a sense of duty to evangelize,” he continued. “But how can I instill in them a desire to evangelize, to share Jesus as much as they have desire to share about football. If we had a desire to share the Gospel like we do about sharing our own interests, I think we could change and transform this state for Christ.” A native of Laurel, Mississippi, Ulmer trusted in Christ while attending a fish fry at Victory Baptist Church in rural Jasper County, Mississippi, at age 17. Though he sensed a call to ministry soon afterward, he did not surrender to it because of a bashful temperament that he … [Read more...]

By Louisiana Baptist Foundation ALEXANDRIA, La. – The Louisiana Baptist Foundation, amid its 80th anniversary commemoration, recently celebrated Baptist Foundation Month to remind churches and individuals of the need to invest in the people, ministries and causes they love, according to LBF Executive Director Jeff Steed. Steed said Baptist Foundation Month, established in 1971 by the Louisiana Baptist entity, also was a reminder that the LBF can assist individuals in gift planning by setting up endowments, non-cash gifts (such as stocks, bonds and real estate), estate gifts, charitable gift annuities, donor-advised funds and other types of gifts that benefit the people and organizations they cherish now and in the future. “We are very honored to partner in ministry with donors and churches to advance the Kingdom,” he shared. Throughout the year, the LBF has celebrated its anniversary by adding $80 to each gift from donors to Louisiana Baptist churches and ministry made through the Foundation, as well as contributing $80 to each new account opened (one per church), while funds are available for both offers. Also, the foundation has posted monthly updates on its social media pages about its history and how God has … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - Toni McFadden, who chose to have an abortion as a teenager, shared with approximately 800 guests gathered at the CENLA Pregnancy Center’s Gift of Life banquet that Christ brought her on a path of healing and eventual restoration with her child’s father. The sixth annual event, Sept. 17, was held in the Randolph Riverfront Center. “If I could spare any woman from going through what I went through, it’s worth it for me to share because I want fewer stories like mine,” McFadden told the crowd. “I’m so thankful I have a beautiful ending only because of Jesus, but if I can spare women from having to go through that, this is why it’s worth it for me.” McFadden, who authored “Redeemed: My Journey After Abortion,” shared how her boyfriend broke up with her after the abortion, only to come to her and apologize nine years later. Soon after, the two married and now have four children. Even though she does not forget about her child who was aborted, she is grateful God has redeemed her through Christ. “We’ve been married for 16 years, and on our wedding day, we were able to honor our unborn baby,” she said. “We let our guests know that we were lighting … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – A field at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center was transformed into a bazooka battlefield for 23 individuals with special needs during the fourth annual Champions Camp, Sept. 6-8. The campers, accompanied by 30 “buddies” and staff, did their best to dodge nerf rockets that were fired from air launchers. Among those campers was Matthew Otto, a member of Christ’s Community Church, Denham Springs. “I really loved all of it,” Otto, who attended his first Champions Camp, told the Baptist Message. “I’m loving the chance to shoot the balls and I’m very excited about singing some Sesame Street songs later during the karaoke party. This weekend has been one of my favorite times of my life.” Jon Johnston, Christ’s Community Church, was a “buddy” to Otto. He enjoyed the chance to share Christ with him. “It's an opportunity for us to get guys like Matthew and whole bunch of other folks that wouldn't normally be able to go to a camp to experience this,” he said. “We can serve them and best of all tell them about Jesus while we have lots of fun.” The Louisiana Baptist summer camp for people with special needs matched participants with buddies who … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Several sites have been established for Disaster Relief operations that could begin as soon as this weekend in response to Hurricane Francine. According to Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Associate Mark Morelock, sites that will prepare food for those impacted by the recent hurricane are: Williams Boulevard Baptist Church, Kenner (manned by Rolling Hills Ministry, Ruston) First Baptist Church, New Orleans (manned by First Baptist Church, Slidell); and Renew Church, Baton Rouge (a partnership between LBDR and the Salvation Army that will also include volunteers from the Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief who will prepare and deliver food to Morgan City and Houma). Additionally, First Baptist Church, Morgan City (manned by Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief) will be a site for mud-out and chainsaw operations. Assessments are ongoing. Texans on Mission will support DR efforts in Louisiana by providing a generator and fuel to impacted areas. “Pray for power restoration, especially when AC is not working inside homes,” Morelock said. “Pray for volunteers’ safety and decisiveness. And, pray that our teams can be used to proclaim the Gospel.” Donations are needed … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Hours after Francine moved through the state, Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn shared several prayer requests for those impacted and those Disaster Relief teams who be serving those in southeast Louisiana in the coming days. “We are gathering information this morning regarding the places of greatest need,” Horn said in a statement to the Baptist Message. “While we are thankful that things are not as bad as they could be, we are aware of several churches that have been damaged. We already know that some churches that were impacted by Ida in 2021 are damaged again.  We are especially heartbroken for these communities. “While we continue to assess damage and gather information, please be in prayer for first responders,” he said. “Second, pray for those who are mobilizing to officially respond as part of SBC and LBC Disaster Relief teams. “Finally, I would remind all Louisiana Baptists of what I read in Scripture this morning about the promised Messiah as recorded in Isaiah 9:7. ‘He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.’ We read this not as prophecy, but as fulfillment. He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff MORGAN CITY, La, (LBM) — Hurricane Francine made landfall as a Category 2 storm Wednesday afternoon in Terrebonne Parish, about 30 miles southwest of Morgan City, according to the National Hurricane Center, and weakened to a Category 1 hurricane two hours after it moved inland. At 4 a.m., Francine was 60 miles north of New Orleans and was headed north toward Jackson, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee. The National Weather Service reported that 4-9 inches had fallen across southeast Louisiana between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting flash flood warning to be issued in many areas. A storm surge warning was in effect from Grand Isle to the Mississippi-Alabama border. Recorded wind gusts include 97 mph in Dulac and 105 mph on Eugene Island. More than 388,000 customers in Louisiana were in the dark as of 5:30 a.m. Thursday, according to poweroutage.us. Early reports of damage to churches included Christ Baptist Church, Houma, which lost some of its roof due to high winds; and Celebration Church, Metairie, St. Rose Community Church, and GracePoint Church, Destrehan, which had some flooding inside their facilities. "We're praying for safety for people here in greater New Orleans," Watson said … [Read more...]