By Karen Willoughby, Managing Editor SICILY ISLAND, CROWLEY, MONROE/WEST MONROE, CALHOUN – In his famous “I have a dream” speech, Martin Luther King, Jr. articulated his hope that one day character would matter more than ethnicity. Some have been content to simply wait for the Civil Rights leader’s vision to materialize. There are pastors in Louisiana, however, who have decided to do something to make Kings’s dream a reality. “This area has been controversial between races over the years,” said James Gass, pastor for the last three years at First Baptist Church of Sicily Island, in Ouachita Baptist Association. “My hope was that if nothing else, this crusade would bring us together on common ground, and I believe it did.” This spring, churches and groups of churches across Louisiana worked together to bring racial and community reconciliation. This article looks at four of those events. SICILY ISLAND About 500 people – 55 percent black – live in the village of Sicily Island. Perhaps 98 percent of the people who live in the 100 or more homes nearby – around the recreational Lake Louis – remain unchurched, Gass said. He has worked hard over the last three years to become part of the community, because that’s … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Summer Staff Writer [img_assist|nid=6490|title=Established in 1835, First Baptist Church of Jackson recently celebrated its 175th anniversary|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=75|height=100]JACKSON – In the heart of the Felicianas nestles a church that recently celebrated with dinner on the grounds its Sunday morning worship, annual homecoming, the 149th anniversary of its sanctuary, and the 175th anniversary of the founding of the church in 1835. Joe Nesom has been pastor for the last 27 years. [img_assist|nid=6491|title=Joe Nesom has been pastor of First Baptist Jackson for the last 27 years.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]“First Baptist Jackson continues to have the same purpose as the church did in 1835,” Nesom said. “We are seeking the ‘glory of God and the good of souls,’ as the first covenant of the church stated.” About 200 people participated in the June 27 celebration. In addition to worship and recognition of guests from near and far, note was made of the church’s history. “Through the years First Baptist has supported the work of God’s Kingdom by prayer and by support of missions through agencies such as the Triennial Convention and through the Southern Baptist … [Read more...]

By Diana Chandler, Regional Reporter NEW ORLEANS – Emily McIlwain won’t share many details of her baptism. Instead, the eight-year-old smiles and shyly seeks cover behind her mother as she relates how Calvary Baptist Senior Pastor Michael Carney placed her in the water two years ago. What made Emily’s experience so different from other Southern Baptist baptisms is that her parents Tammy and Allen McIlwain were in the pool with Emily. In fact, they baptized her themselves. [img_assist|nid=6492|title=Calvary Baptist Senior Pastor Michael Carney involves baptized family members in baptisms of new converts|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=100]    “I was probably the first mom to be in there,” McIlwain said. “It just gave me comfort to be able to be in the water with her and make her feel comfortable. “As we baptized her it was awesome. We might have been the first ones in the church to do that, just since Pastor Michael has come on.” Involving baptized family members in the baptisms of new converts is one of the ways Carney develops a family atmosphere at the growing church. “We want it to be a church family process,” Carney said of baptisms. “I am there in the pool as pastor. I counsel with the parents … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Summer Staff Writer VIDALIA – Some people would say that churches with interim pastors are in a time of transition.  First Baptist Church of Vidalia would think otherwise. [img_assist|nid=6494|title=First Baptist Church Vidalia Interim Pastor Bill McCullin|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]Since the appointment of Interim Pastor Bill McCullin in January, First Vidalia has seen an increase in Sunday School attendance over the last several months while following McCullin’s God-focused leadership. “We just want to keep following God on the path He leads us,” McCullin said.  “We don’t want it to seem like a time of transition, but a time of continuing work for God.” McCullin said he became interim pastor of First Vidalia when former pastor Dan Glenn was called to a church in Florida. “Originally, I was a full-time pastor for about three or four years,’ McCullin said, ‘and just felt the calling into this very unique ministry of helping churches through their times of losing a pastor.  Vidalia is my seventh church. “It started out as just preaching on Sunday and being in the office on Wednesday,’ McCullin continued, ‘but it’s gone into a full-time interim where I go five days a … [Read more...]

By Tammi Reed Ledbetter, Baptist Press ORLANDO, Fla. (BP) – Newly elected Southern Baptist Convention President Bryant Wright wants to see Southern Baptists return to their first love, radically reprioritize their lives, funding and ministries to fulfill the Great Commission and directly participate in overseas mission work. Speaking to reporters less than an hour after his election on the first day of the SBC annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., Wright shared his dream of seeing every Southern Baptist pastor and church take at least one mission trip. “The pastor needs to experience what it’s like to be out there in another culture sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ,” Wright told reporters June 15 at the Orange County Convention Center. [img_assist|nid=6479|title=Bryant Wright, senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga, won the run-off election for SBC president.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=70]Wright commended the Atlanta-area congregation he pastors, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, for having sent more than 1,500 people on 70 mission trips to 27 nations last year. “What that does in the life of a church is incredible,” Wright said. In the midst of Kingdom-focused work like … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter NEW ORLEANS – Most first-time homebuyers don’t shop in a neighborhood known for violent crime and murder. But for Michael Wong, 26, living out his faith meant investing his life where the need is greatest, even if it meant putting himself at risk. A trained artist and sculptor, deacon, and banker by day, Wong moved three years ago to New Orleans’ Central City, a neighborhood whose skyrocketing crime put it in the national spotlight after Hurricane Katrina. The area’s slightly higher elevation had spared it from flooding, but triggered a deadly spike in violent crime. Wong sensed Central City was where God intended him to be. [img_assist|nid=6497|title=Michael Wong, right, artist, sculptor, deacon and banker, fixes kids bikes, hangs out to become part of the community.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=67|height=100]“I spent the first year just listening to people,” Wong said. “You have to prove yourself and show them you’re not going to leave.” Convinced God sends his people to broken places, Wong moved in and became a part of the community as he fixed kids’ bicycles, repaired a leaking roof, and simply “hung out” with residents. “The children are drawn to him,” said Tami Hills, … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Summer Staff Writer MONTGOMERY – There is an old adage that new things can be brought from old things, and a former church building in Montgomery fits that adage perfectly. Under the direction of Karen Morace, Harvest of Hope mission center has experienced financial and spiritual success while inspiring its volunteers to help those in need. [img_assist|nid=6499|title=Montgomery Mission Center experiences financial and spiritual growth under Director Karen Morace.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]“We’re here because we want to be, but also because God sent us here,” Morace said.  “We’re glad to be doing His work.” Morace said the Harvest of Hope building, which opened on Feb. 11, 2002, was originally the home of Northside Baptist Church before its new church building was constructed. “Northside doesn’t own the building,” Morace said.  “We were essentially lent it for free by Mr. Eddie Gongre, who owns the building, but we absolutely take care of it. “We originally opened it as a food bank, which it still is today,” Morace continued. “In order to make the money to pay for the food, we opened up what we call a clothes closet. “We try to keep our clothes closet neat and … [Read more...]

Compiled by Joanne Brechtel COMINGS & GOINGS Don Bassett resigned as pastor of Red Oak Baptist, Livingston. John Matthews resigned as minister of students at First Baptist, Bogalusa. He’s going to First Baptist, Hazlehurst, Miss., as pastor. DEATHS GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – Ray E. Prager, 85, who pastored several Louisiana churches and also was a hospital chaplain, died June 13. BASTROP – Billy Vaughn, 75, pastor of Bonita Baptist died June 27. AVAILABLE Don Bassett is available for supply and interim preaching; call 225.271.8288 or 225.921.0756. Carston Woodhouse is available for pulpit supply; call 337.298.4011 or email carstonw@hotmail.com. NEEDED: Bayou Oaks Baptist, Monroe, needs part-time music minister; send resume to 298 Joe White Road, Monroe LA 71203. Loch Arbor Baptist, Monroe, needs part-time music minister; send resume to 3960 Hwy. 139, Monroe LA 71203. Caney Lake Baptist, Chatham, needs part-time music minister; call 318.249.4373 or 318.475.1278 for details. Pastors needed in Webster Claiborne Association: North Acres Baptist, Minden; Midway Baptist, Sarepta; Antioch Baptist, Dixie Inn; Evergreen Baptist, Minden; Gilgal Baptist, Minden. Pastor needed in Bienville Baptist Association: … [Read more...]

By Jennifer Tramel, Baptist Press RIDGECREST, N.C. – I noticed slight bass from the vibrations of thunder when I checked into Ridgecrest for the Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival. Then, the lights slightly flickered. It was appropriate that the event for Christian media would begin in dramatic fashion. This was the third year for the conference and film festival and the number of attendees rose to 230, a significant increase from the 50 attendees at the first event. As I began interviewing for the news video, it was clear that each one of those individuals had one thing in mind: spreading the message of the Gospel by means of Christian mass media. “More people go to the movies on Sunday than go to church,” said David Nixon, director of “Letters to God” and producer of “Facing the Giants” and “Fireproof.” “The culture has changed,” he told attendees, “and why shouldn’t we, as Christians, be affecting the culture through popular mediums? We should go where the masses are.” Upon hearing these words during the first night’s opening speech, I could see ambition in many faces, but also concern. David was spot on, but the problem for many attendees was their lack of technical background or the experience … [Read more...]

by Polly House, LifeWay Communications NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Training church leaders has been a forte of LifeWay Christian Resources for almost a century. It’s important. Churches recognize that and so does LifeWay. Training has historically meant that a church leader – a Sunday school teacher, for example – would find a course that he or she wanted to take; leave home and go to, say, another church in that person’s local association; and listen to someone from LifeWay with expertise in Sunday school functions teach how to become a more effective teacher or leader. Times – and training – are changing. A new, free Sunday school training event will debut July 11, this one with a twist. “Great Expectations: Live Sunday School Training from LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center” will be offered to a virtual audience live, online from LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center. Instead of being trained “at” a conference center, the audience will be trained “from” the conference center. “This free online training event is designed so that an attendee’s Sunday school class can have even greater impact on the church, in its local community and in the lives of its members when expectations are raised and thinking is enlarged,” said … [Read more...]