NEW COLUMN, because you might be interested in seeing what other churches across the state are doing – local ministries, church program, inreach and outreach
Each week Section Editor Rhonda Havens reads through all the church
newsletters, looking for specific information that she uses for the
Louisiana People, Places and Events column.
When I was looking through the latest batch of newsletters, I saw a lot
of information that didn’t fit in Rhonda’s column. It seemed to me that
you might be interested in what other churches are doing across the
state – local ministries, church programs, inreach and outreach.
So I took the time to set down a page’s worth, all in alphabetical
order. Let the Message know if you like this column or not. And send in
your newsletter so we can report what your church is doing!
I also noticed some things missing from some church newsletters; check
yours to make sure it includes the pastor’s name, your mailing address
and phone number with area code.
Airline Baptist, Bossier City; Chad Grayson, pastor: A MOPS – mothers
of preschoolers – ministry started Aug. 6. World Changers was here.
Youth and youngsters attended Camp Fuego and Centrikid. Sunday School
teachers/workers appreciation banquet is set for Aug. 17. A new “Fruit
Stand” doubles as a visitor center and purchase place for the pastor’s
sermons and other fruit for the soul.
Baptist Temple, Alexandria; Bill Broadwater, pastor: Christmas in
August offering being taken for Kay Bennett at Baptist Friendship House
in New Orleans.
Broadmoor Baptist, Baton Rouge; John Goodwin, pastor: The congregation
voted at its recent quarterly business meeting to accept a
recommendation for renovation of facilities as the church prepares for
its 50th anniversary next year. Construction is to start about
Nov. 1
First Baptist, Bogalusa; Bob Adams, pastor: Work is to begin the last
week of August on the renovation of the Fellowship Hall building, at a
cost of about $100/sq ft through Kent Construction. The work is to
provide new restrooms on both floors of the 5,300 sq/ft building, an
elevator, new entrance, refurbished hallways, and more. The church
staff and church council have developed a full set of plans to assure
that all classes, ministries and activities have places to meet during
construction.
First Baptist, Haughton; Gevan Spinney, pastor: People unable to attend
Sunday morning Bible study can sign up for the Satellite Sunday School
class, which has take-along lessons. A Youth leadership Team meets once
a month to discuss events, issues and more. Being on the team requires
“a firm commitment” and specific responsibilities. Church has a
Minuteman Ministry with two teams: Genesis and Matthias. It also
has groups who meet for the GROW method of inreach and outreach,
and Precepts Bible study.
First Baptist, Haynesville; Dr. Shelby Cowling, pastor: Youth led in a
worship service at Lake Claiborne State Park July 30, with pre-event
promotion July 29. A back-to-school party Aug. 5 preceded the campus
prayer walk Aug. 8. “Friends Helping Friends” is a healthy lifestyle –
mind and body – support group to help women change fitness and eating
habits. “We want to be healthy women serving the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Several participated in an association-sponsored mission trip to help
prepare New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for the fall semester,
mostly by painting and sodding grass.
First Baptist, Homer; Dr. James Simeon, pastor: VBS gathered paper
goods for DART, a women and children’s shelter in Ruston. Prayer Walk
at Homer High School set for Aug. 13 after evening services.
Brotherhood sponsors 4th annual Teacher Appreciation Prayer Breakfast
at 8 a.m. Aug. 20 for all teachers in Claiborne Parish. Promotion
Sunday Sept. 3 is to include an old-fashioned cookout in the Family
Life Center after the morning service. AWANA begins Sept. 6.
Brotherhood will host its annual 9/11 Appreciation Banquet at 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 14.
First Baptist, Luling, Todd Hallman, pastor: Pastor Todd and Tabatha
“Tabby” Hallman announce their birth of their firstborn Anderson James
Hallman. A Mother’s Prayer Group meets at 6 p.m. Wednesdays to pray for
their children and then to discuss a chapter in a book everyone is
reading, which this summer is The Mentoring Mom by Jackie Kendall.
Youngsters in grades K-5 meet at 9:30 a.m. Sundays for Club 24.7. A
churchwide pool party and cookout is set for 5 p.m. Aug. 13.
First Baptist, Mansfield: Lay Renewal Weekend set for Aug. 18-20. New
AWANA program starts in September. Singing Seniors meet at 3 p.m.
Mondays. Church also has a “Feed and Seed” ministry. Baptist Men’s
breakfast is set for 8 a.m. Aug. 13.
First Baptist, Morgan City; David Willoughby, pastor: Brotherhood sent
four men to help with construction a new church plant at Oberlin
Baptist. Recent youth activities: Wacky Games Day, Blue Bayou outing,
Back to School mall trip to Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Back to
School retreat.
First Baptist, Oak Grove; Carl Gulde is pastor: A missionary in
Pakistan (unnamed in the Message for security reasons) spoke at a
recent evening service. Church services are broadcast on KWCL-FM Radio
at 96.7, and video-replayed on cable channel at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Thursdays, and 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. Fridays.
First Baptist, Ringgold; A.W. Smart, pastor: Members are gathering
school supplies and money for ‘school needs,’ a ministry project
sponsored by the TLC class. Canned goods and cleaning supplies are
being gathered for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.
First Baptist, Winnfield; Lindsey Burns, pastor: An Artic Edge-themed adult vacation Bible school is set for Aug. 20-Sept. 17.
First Baptist, Zwolle; Dr. Vernon Stephenson, staff evangelist: (Church
is seeking a pastor) Men’s golf ministry met Aug. 8 at Cypress Bend
Resort. First Place (healthy lifestyle) orientation was Aug. 7. During
the week of Aug. 6th, the church prayed for employers and employees as
part of its ZAP [Zwolle At Prayer] ministry. At Sabine Detention
Center, 47 showed up for Bible study. The church also ministers at
Toledo Nursing home and through a monthly fellowship lunch at the
church.
Foster Road Baptist, Baton Rouge; Danny Miller, pastor. “Some days ago
I was talking to a sales lady over the phone,” he wrote in a recent
newsletter. “As we came to a close she said, ‘Are there any other
questions?’ I said, ‘Yes, have you heard the good news?’ She said,
‘No!’ I shared the gospel with her. …” A Community Outreach was set for
Aug. 12.
Hebron Baptist, Denham Springs: The Worship Choir plans to record a CD
in October titled “Fill This Place.” Revival set for Sept. 17-20. A
Family Night ice cream social is set for Aug. 13. HBC’s recent first
golf scramble included 17 teams.
Highland Baptist, West Monroe; WMU is collecting Campbell soup labels
to send to Baptist Friendship House in New Orleans. Youth participate
in ACTS – Actively Communicating the Truth of Salvation – with a
Saturday outreach. Mark Sutton is guest speaker for the Sunday School
Kickoff Weekend Aug. 25-27.
Kingston Road Baptist, Shreveport; Trey Lewis, pastor: A “Clothe the
Kids” clothing drive for newborns up to 15-year-olds is set for Aug.
19. Summer concerts continue with Second Chance with Mike
Trickett at 6 p.m. Aug. 13 and Cross Point at 7 p.m. Aug. 19. Hospice
Chaplain Steve Slaughter spoke Aug. 1 to the King-Agers. The
Kingstonaires senior adult choir practices Monday mornings.
Northside Baptist, Lafayette; Martin Romero, pastor: Northside
completed a blitz, block party and VBS this summer; pastor has started
a faith-based substance abuse clinic in St. Mary Parish. Family Movie
Night set for 6 p.m. Aug. 26.
Pinecroft Baptist, Shreveport; Marty J. Wright, pastor: Youth went to
M-fuge (missions component added to Centrifuge youth camp) and plan a
Sept. 10-13 spiritual renewal. Ice cream social was Aug. 6. Small
groups are studying “Flight Plan” – What in my culture is ok and what
should I stand against? About 25 kids and counselors are to be at Camp
Bethany Aug. 18-19. “Camp is a wonderful opportunity to get away from
our normal routine and allow God to speak to our hearts,” writes
Children’s Minister Joy Carol Rowe.
Riverside Baptist, Denham Springs; Larry Hubbard, pastor: Annual church
workers appreciation banquet set for 7 p.m. Aug. 25. Team Kids starts
in August, replacing previous Wednesday missions organizations.
Registration has begun for the youth and children’s Bible drills
training retreat set for Jan. 19-20 at Tall Timbers Conference Center
in Woodworth. Sunday school workers are set to train at 9 a.m. Aug. 19
at Blitz on the Bayou at Istrouma Baptist in Baton Rouge. Church
secretary Virginia Marshall retired at the end of July after 10 years,
the entire time Riverside has been in existence. The church honored her
with a reception and necklace.
Superior Avenue Baptist, Bogalusa; Team Kids starts on Wednesdays in
September. Recipe for a Great Church Weekend is set for Aug. 26-27.
Scott Rogers, a north Mississippi pastor, is leading the conference.
Several from the church are going to Nashville, Tenn. for a 5-day
mission trip. Youth went to Camp Living Waters. Youth Softball
tournament was Aug. 11-12. A lock-in is set for Aug. 18-19 at Westside
Emmanuel. Members are working toward their goal of 150 boxes to be sent
to Operation Christmas Child.
Taylor Baptist, Taylor; Jimmy Eppinette, pastor: Men’s prayer breakfast
met. Aug. 4 at Gibsland Grill. Their list of prayer needs includes
folks in the church, friends and neighbors, and other prayer requests,
in addition to the Homebound Person of the Month, and Military Person
of the Month.
Trinity Baptist, Pineville; Darryl Hoychick, pastor: Ladies plan for
their next Beth Moore Bible study, on Daniel, starting Sept. 17. AWANA
begins Aug. 20. An evangelistic block party is set for Aug. 19 on the
west side of the church property, with two big jumpers, a live band,
and all kinds of events designed to draw children’s interest.