By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – March 16 has been designated as a day for all Louisiana Baptist pastors to preach on John 3:16.
The initiative aims to catalyze soul winning across the state and will include an emphasis on prayer leading up to the special day. Louisiana has joined other state Baptist conventions for the effort, which are being coordinated with the North American Mission Board.
“A coordinated effort to emphasize evangelism across our state and across our nation on March 16 will prompt us to have an evangelistic focus leading us to Easter on April 20 and Baptism Sunday on April 27,” Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Strategist Kevin Ulmer told the Baptist Message. “This focus will unify our efforts to win the lost both locally as well as nationally and foster our desire to create a culture of evangelism across our state. Think of the impact of thousands of churches across the state and beyond proclaiming the love of God for every sinner and the implications of that truth. My prayer is that this evangelistic catalyst leads to a fruitful time in our state and nation.”
Leading up to March 16, Louisiana Baptists will be encouraged to follow a special 16-day prayer guide.
The prayer guide will include a coordinated prayer time three times each day, beginning on March 1. The prayer guide is available for download at 316on316.com
Beauregard and Eastern Louisiana Baptist Associations are among those groups who already have scheduled evangelistic outreaches to coincide with the special day.
On March 15, Beauregard Baptist Association will host a Day of Hope at the Beauregard Parish Fair Grounds. The event will begin 4:30 p.m. with free food and chances to win door prizes, and evangelist Jerry Chaddick will share a message. A worship team composed of singers and musicians from associational churches will lead worship in song at 6 p.m. Additionally, churches will gather March 2, 4 p.m., for evangelism and decision training, hosted by New Life Baptist Church, DeRidder.
“We feel like the 3:16 emphasis will generate momentum for our churches,” BBA Associational Mission Strategist Tom Bruce said. “We want to leverage that momentum to equip and encourage our members to bring the Gospel to the lost in their relationship circles as a lifestyle well beyond the 3:16 emphasis. Our goal is to gather as many lost people as we can for an opportunity to respond to a clear presentation of the Gospel and then connect them to a church near their home. This special emphasis Sunday provides a great catalyst for this effort.”
On March 16-19, ELBA and other evangelical churches in coordination with GO TELL Ministries of Duluth, Georgia, will host a crusade at Denham Spring High School’s Yellow Jacket Stadium. The GO TELL America: Livingston Parish crusade will feature messages by GO TELL founder Rick Gage and music by Rush of Fools, Charles Billingsley and more.
“His crusades unite churches to work together to see the lost saved,” ELBA Associational Mission Strategist Richard Blue said. “GO TELL Ministries specializes in reaching the youth and young adults for the Lord. Our schools are allowing GO TELL to speak to students on character building and will have a special evening service aimed at reaching the next generation for Christ Jesus. Join us in praying that the lost will be brought to the crusade, hear the Gospel preached and receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ into their lives.”
The initiative builds on a soul-winning emphasis that Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn has championed.
“For a couple of years now, I have spoken about having a ‘culture of evangelism,’” he said. “When I use that phrase, I simply mean that when people think about Louisiana Baptists, I pray their first thought is that we are a people of evangelism. The 3:16 initiative on 3/16 is a simple way to continue that culture.
“Every single church in Louisiana can do it. Church size doesn’t matter,” Horn continued. “Geographic location doesn’t matter. The size of staff or budget doesn’t matter. Every church can participate.”
“Though I would never tell pastors what to preach, I want to — with humility and in the spirit of cooperation and connection for the Great Commission — invite and challenge every Louisiana Baptist pastor to preach that Sunday on John 3:16,” he said. “Imagine the possibility of every Louisiana Baptist pulpit preaching this text on this same Sunday and trust the results to God. That’s my challenge. We are coordinating these efforts with the North American Mission Board.
“Kevin Ulmer, on our team, has written a 16-day prayer guide for the 16 days leading up to March 16,” Horn shared. “I believe that if we pray, prepare properly, and simply preach the text of John 3:16 in context, God will use this day.”
