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
Larry Anderson retires as music minister at First Baptist Church, Bastrop.
Seth Forque is the new youth minister at Highland Baptist Church, West Monroe.
Thomas Hodge is the new youth minister at First Baptist Church, Swartz.
Freddie Williford resigned from Ford Park Baptist Church to take the pastorate at Beulah Baptist Church, Mansfield.
Dan Lay, business administer has retired from Trinity Heights Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Grant, wife Kara, Rose takes the pastorate at Springs of Grace Baptist Church, Shreveport from Denton, Texas.
Josh, wife Teresa, Jacobs resigns from Potsboro, Texas to become youth minister at Woodridge Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Logan, wife Lyndsy, Brock is the new pastor at Trinity Baptist Church, Natchitoches.
Philip Caples is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Coushatta.
HOMECOMING
First Baptist Church, Jackson: Homecoming, June 25, 11 a.m. Following worship services there will be dinner-on-the-grounds. Pastor: Joe Nesom.
REVIVAL
Pisgah Baptist Church, Florien: Revival, July 9-12, 6:30 p.m. nightly. Evangelist: Bill Britt. Worship: Buster Jordan will lead the music. Pastor: CM Kelly.
Martin Baptist Church, Coushatta: Red River Crusade & Concert. July 16-19, 6:30 p.m. Evangelist: Tommy Eason. Worship: The Jason Lovins Band. The crusade will be held at Red River Senior High School. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for free concessions and seating. This four-day event is full of positive people, uplifting music, great food and an amazing message that will inspire all. Cost: Free for all ages.
Beauregard Memorial Baptist Church, Longville: Youth Revival, July 26-27, 6 p.m. There will be music, testimony, sermons, dramas, prayer followed by a wet and wild celebration July 28, 6 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. This is open for all youth and parents. Pastor: Walter Edwards.
LAGNIAPPE
Elwood Baptist Church, Forest Hall: Vacation Bible School, July 10-13, 8:30 a.m.-noon, July 14, 6:30 p.m. (family night). Pastor: Michael Evans.
Reeves Baptist Church, Reeves: Vacation Bible School, June 25-28, 5-8 p.m. Pastor: Charlie Carroll.
Open Door Baptist Church, Ragley: Vacation Bible School, June 25-29, 5:30-8 p.m. Pastor: Sonny Simpson.
New Life Baptist Church, DeRidder: Vacation Bible School, June 25-29, 6-8:30 p.m. Pastor: Keith Manuel.
LoneStar Baptist Church, Pitkin: Vacation Bible School, June 25-30, 6-8:30 p.m. Pastor: John Elliott.
First Baptist Church, DeRidder: Vacation Bible School, June 26-29, 9 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Pastor: Steve Graves.
Singer Baptist Church, Singer: Vacation Bible School, June 26-29 5-8 p.m. Pastor: Jimmy Clark.
Unity Baptist Church, DeRidder: Vacation Bible School, June 26-30, 6-8:30 p.m. Pastor: Mike Burkes.
Hopewell Baptist Church, DeRidder: Vacation Bible School, June 26-30, 6-8:15 p.m. Pastor: Greg Gill.
Lakeshore Baptist Church, Monroe: Vacation Bible School, June 25–29, 5:30–8 p.m. Pastor: William Smith.
First Baptist Church, Bastrop: Vacation Bible School, June 26–28, 6-8 p.m. Pastor: Richard Gambill.
Bethel Baptist Church, Bastrop: Vacation Bible School, June 26–30, 9–11:30 a.m. Pastor: Tim Post.
First Baptist Church, Jonesboro: Vacation Bible School, June 26 – 30. Pastor: Brian McAllister.
Sale Street Baptist Church, Lake Charles: Vacation Bible School – Twists & Turns, June 26-30, 5:30- 8 p.m. To register go to https://fb.me/e/2mTsgsQfd. Pastor: Drew Mills.
Wild Horse Ministries, Trout: Gospel Singspiration, July 1, 6:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Wild Horse Ministries Multi-purpose building on 149 Appleby Road, Trout, La and will feature Jamie Coulter, Kings Messengers, Graceway Quartet, The River Trio. For more information, call Paul Daily at 318.992.4667 or 318.312.0388. Pastor: Paul Daily.
Alto Baptist Church, Alto: Celebrate God & Country Day, July 2, 10:30 AM. Worship: Brothers In Christ. Guest Speaker: Lt. Col. Susan Johnston. A barbeque dinner will follow the service. Music Minister: Jay Ellerman. Pastor: Alan Miller.
Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria: Celebrate Freedom 2023: July 2, 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Todd Strain.
Cypress Baptist Church, Benton: Cypress Freedom Celebration and Car Show: July 2, 7-10 p.m. This free community event will include food, fun and fireworks. Contact Holly@cypressbaptist.org to register for the car show. Pastor: John Fream.
Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville: Fireworks and fellowship: July 2, 7 p.m. Outdoor family games, inflatables, complimentary hot dogs, chips, and drinks, additional food for purchase and a cornhole tournament will be part of this event. The night will end with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Pastor: Philip Robertson.
Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles: Fireworks and Fun at The Family Place, July 3, 5:30 p.m. Remember to bring lawn chairs, blankets, umbrellas, snacks, and cooling towels. There will be bounce houses, live music, food trucks (Hi-Licious Street Kitchen, Gary’s Grub Hub, Paul’s Rib Shack Barbecue, Lulu’s Specialty Snocones, Bahama Buck’s, and more), a preschool play area with games, and, of course, at sundown, we will light up the skies with a fireworks display (9:15 p.m.). Pastor: Steve James.
First Baptist Church, Covington: YOUNG AT HEART ADULTS 55+, Come enjoy the music of The Victory Trio and Vocalist from the National WWII Museum, July 11, 10:30 a.m. in the worship center. Online registration is REQUIRED at www.fbccov.org/adults-55. Cost: $15, payable at the door, which includes lunch at noon. Deadline to register is noon on July 7. Pastor: Waylon Bailey.
First Baptist Church, New Orleans: Vacation Bible School – Twists & Turns, July 10-14, 9 a.m.-noon daily. VBS is for Pre-K through completed 6th grade (must be 5 years old by Sept. 30, 2023). To register: https://onrealm.org/ FirstBaptistNew/PublicRegistrations/Ev ent?linkString=YjA1NjE2ZmQtZDI2MC0 0ODhhLWEyNjktYWZlMjAxNGEwMjQ5. Pastor: Chad Gilbert.
Highland Baptist Church, West Mon[1]roe: Vacation Bible School, July 10- 14, 8 a.m. – noon. Pastor: Larry Linson.
First Baptist Church, Jackson: Victory in Jesus – VBS, July 10-14, 5:30-8 p.m. Children 4 years old through adult are welcomed. Register online at FBCOJ.com or contact the church office at 225.634.7148. Pastor: Joe Nesom.
Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, West Monroe: Vacation Bible School, July 16–20 66-8:30 p.m. Pastor: Chad Ballard.
Cherry Ridge Baptist Church, Bastrop: Vacation Baptist Church, July 13-16 5:30-8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Pastor: Dennis Hackler.
First Baptist Church, Winnsboro: Vacation Bible School – Christmas in July, July 10-13, 6-8 p.m. This is for children Kindergarten through age 12. Pre-register online at fbcwinsboro.com. Pastor: Craig Beeman.
Lakeside Baptist Church, Converse: Special live Gospel music, July 14, 7 p.m. Music: Signed Sealed & Delivered will have a special performance. A love offering will be accepted.
First Baptist Church, Chatham: Vacation Bible School, July 17 – 20, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Pastor: Tim Atkins
Grace Baptist Church, Monroe: Vacation Bible School, July 17-21, 6-8 p.m. Pastor: Ricky Baker.
Ashland Baptist Church, Ashland: Seed Sowers from Frankfort, KY, in concert, July 23, 6 p.m. Pastor: Danny Slack.
Cloverdale Baptist Church, Alexandria: The Southern Plainsmen, July 23, 6 p.m. A love offering will be taken. Pastor: Dennis Snoddy.
First Baptist Church, Mangham: Vacation Bible School, July 24-28, 4:30-6 p.m. Pastor: Rick Aultman.
East Winnfield Baptist Church, Winnfield: Vacation Bible School, July 24 – 28, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Pastor: Jeff Shows.
First Baptist Church, Chatham: Vacation Bible School, July 24-27. Pastor: Tim Atkins.
East Winnfield Baptist Church, Winnfield: Vacation Bible School, July 24- 28, 6-8:30 p.m. Pastor: Jeff Shows.
Lakeside Baptist Church, Converse. Vacation Bible School, July 28 – 30 , Friday-Saturday, 5- 7:30 pm, Sunday, TBA. Pastor: None.
REMEMBERANCE
PONTOTOC – Albert Lee Gaspard, 87, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. He was born June 2, 1935, in Gueydan, Louisiana to the late Azile Gaspard and Eve Richard Gaspard. Gaspard pastored for 65 years in Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 8, 2023, at First Baptist Church Houston with son-in-law, Jay Johnston, son, Johnny Wade Gaspard, Wayne Squyres and Jimmy Robertson officiating. Memorial Funeral Home of Houston is in charge of the arrangements. He is survived by his wife, Lottie Jean Coleman Gaspard of Pontotoc; a son, Johnny Wade Gaspard (Mandy) of Pontotoc; a daughter, Jerilyn Johnston (Jay) of Baton Rouge; five grandchildren, John Grady Johnston (Annie), Jody Garrett Johnston (Olivia), Allie Mack Gaspard, Ella Jo Gaspard, Maggie Rose Gaspard; four great grandchildren, Chaucer, Xander, Davy and Remy; one sister, Laura Mae Breaux; one brother, John Gaspard. He was preceded in death by his parents; Azile Gaspard and Eve Richard Gaspard; three sisters, Mary Lou Simon, Lydia G. Monceaux, Virgie G. Plaisance; one brother, Howard Raymond Gaspard.
