September 26, 2019 Volume 134 l Issue No. 19 TO REPORT A NEWS ITEM OR TO BUY AN AD, CALL 877.234.3832

www.baptistmessage.com Grandfather ‘births’ granddaughter at Walker

By Brian Blackwell lege and I was honored to Message Staff Writer have that opportunity.” McCon also baptized WALKER (LBM) – two of his “legacy kids” Minister of students, Ray – children of youth who McCon, lifted his hands participated in the youth upward in celebration after group during the early he baptized his grand- days of his 21 years of con- daughter, Lila Silk, at tinuous ministry at Walk- Walker Baptist er. A month Church, Sept. earlier, Mc- 8. Con baptized “Baptizing five additional Brian Blackwell photo my grand- “legacy kids” daughter im- on a day when BAGBR Director of Missions Tommy Middleton, former Lanier Baptist pastor T.W. Terral, NOBTS President Jamie mediately gave nine other Dew and Louisiana Baptists missions and ministry team director John Hebert enjoyed ribbon cutting ceremo- new converts nies at the new Adoniram Judson, Jr. Missions and Ministry Center Annex. me a feeling of joy,” McCon stirred the told the Bap- waters. The tist Message. church has BAGBR dedicates annex to T.W. & Iris Terral “It was gratify- baptized 20 By Brian Blackwell ing to know since January, Message Staff Writer that we as her the most since family had lain 2011 when they BATON ROUGE (LBM) ended the year down a spiritu- In this screen shot from a – After nearly 10 years al foundation Facebook video, Ray Mc- with 21. of praying and planning, that made this Con, minister of students at Silk and the Baptist Association of possible. Walker Baptist Church, bap- the two “leg- Greater Baton Rouge has Silk turned tizes his granddaughter, Lila acy kids” who opened its new Adoniram to Christ after Silk, Sept. 8. Silk is among a were baptized Judson, Jr. Missions and an invitation wave of new converts bap- Sept. 8 were Ministries Center Annex. was issued tized since August at Walker among the Pastors, seminary staff during a wor- Baptist. hundreds of and other Louisiana Bap- ship service Southern Bap- tist leaders from around Aug. 11, when the church tist churches who partici- the state gathered Sept. baptized 14 new converts. pated in Baptism Sunday, 9 at the BAGBR office to McCon was ecstatic know- a special emphasis on the mark the official open- ing his granddaughter took Southern Baptist Conven- ing of the facility that that step of faith to public- tion calendar. was dedicated in honor of Brian Blackwell photo ly declare her relationship Steve Horn, executive T.W. and Iris Terral. He is T.W. Terral and Tommy Middleton were among those on hand to cel- with Christ. director for Louisiana Bap- a former pastor of Lanier ebrate the opening of the new Adoniram Judson, Jr. Missions and Minis- “After she walked up tists, was encouraged to Baptist Church in Baton tries Center Annex, which is dedicated to Terral and his wife, Iris. out of the baptistery I see churches like Walker Rouge and was instrumen- Tommy Middleton, work in the state. raised both hands in the Baptist take part in this tal in starting the New Or- director of missions for “We stand on the air in victory, and our nationwide initiative. leans Baptist Theological BAGBR, told the Baptist shoulders of T.W. Terral,” congregation cheered,” “I want to thank ev- Seminary extension center Message Terral was “due” Middleton said. “He’s been he continued. “All I could ery pastor who led their inside the Louisiana State the honor because of his think was God has blessed Penitentiary at Angola. contributions to Kingdom See ANNEX, page 4 me. He gave me that privi- See BIRTHS, page 6 NOBTS, LC sign articulation agreement By Gary D. Myers College recently signed an by NOBTS president Jamie NOBTS Communications articulation agreement de- Dew and LC president signed to help God-called Rick Brewer, paves the NEW ORLEANS men and women save time way for Mission & Min- (NOBTS News) – New Or- and money as they prepare istries majors from LC to leans Baptist Theological for ministry. Seminary and Louisiana The agreement, signed See AGREEMENT, page 5 2 Louisiana News Skills of a church planter: Create ownership (Part 2) ALEXANDRIA (LBM) recognized evangelist and Paul to be his representa- from leader to follower time) to join the mission- – Acts 28 describes overseer among tive to Corinth and later to combined with situational ary team he was leading. the Apostle Paul’s the churches in  essalonica. Finally, Paul opportunities that allow a Not everyone is capable fi rst imprisonment Europe and Asia sent Timothy to Philippi follower to test and devel- of leading, so choosing in Rome as a sort of Minor, but he still and told the church there, op his or her own skills. good recruits is essen- home confi nement was growing in “I have no one else like  is time-honored ap- tial because of the time a with a live-in guard spiritual maturity him” (Philippians 2:20), proach requires patience leader must invest in that and that for “two under the tutelage acknowledging his exten- from mentors – with person. whole years” he of Paul. sive personal investment coaching as needed while In his book, “Leadership was “able to wel-  ey fi rst met in developing Timothy to allowing the follower to Secrets of Attila the Hun,” come all who came JOHN HEBERT on Paul’s second serve as a leader. experience success and Wes Roberts declared, to see him.” Team Leader missionary journey Indeed, Timothy’s path failure (part of creating “If all Huns were blind, a One of the “all” Louisiana Baptist and throughout of leadership growth is ownership). one-eyed warrior would who was with him Missions & Ministry the following 14 a prime example of how But the key to success be their king.”  e insinu- during much of that years, or so, Timo- leaders are developed for the mentor depends in ation, of course, is that for time was Timo- thy progressed in over time through the large part on recruitment, blind Huns a one-eyed thy, who already was a leadership and was sent by passing along of wisdom or selection. King would do. But that is Not every person can a low bar for leadership. do the job. Be careful not to recruit But it’s obvious that “one-eyed kings” -- leaders on his second mission- with limited ability. Eff ec- ary journey that Paul saw tive leaders either already something very special in have developed, or, are Timothy because within capable of developing a a relatively short time of robust leadership skill set. meeting him, he asked Moreover, leaders largely the lad (16 years old at the are known for the kind of leaders they develop and launch into leadership positions. It’s obvious that Timo- thy was not a “one-eyed king” but instead, was a young man of much poten- tial. “ e brothers at Lys- tra and Iconium spoke well of him,” Luke reported in Acts 16:2.

See OWNERSHIP, page 7

LOUISIANA ADVERTISING SUBSCRIPTIONS: CHANGE OF ADDRESS BAPTIST MESSAGE Display [boxed] and classifi ed [words only] advertising must be in writing, Individual: $14/year Two weeks before change is desired, send and may be submitted by email, U.S. mail or fax. Group rates available new address (with zip code and street address) Will Hall, Editor To the best of our knowledge, all ads in the Louisiana Baptist Message Call the and mailing label from this copy of theLouisiana Louisiana Baptist Message Baptist Message. Periodicals postage paid in represent legitimate companies and offerings. However, one should always STAFF at 318.449.4343 or 877.234.3832 Alexandria, Louisiana, and additional mailing exercise normal business caution in responding to ads. Fax: 318-445-8328 Philip Timothy Rhonda Havens Brian Blackwell offi ces. For all your advertising needs contact Rhonda Havens at theMessage [email protected] Managing Editor Advertising Director Staff Writer PO Box 311 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to at 318.449.4351 or 877.234.3832. Alexandria LA 71309 the Baptist Message,1250 MacArthur Drive, PO JoAnne Timothy www.baptistmessage.com Box 311, Alexandria LA 71309-0311 Offi ce Manager The Louisiana Board of Trustees: Baptist Message (USPS 042-860) (ISSN 0740-2104) partners with: Steve Arledge, Jack Bell, Jeremy Blocker, Mike Canady, Published biweekly Thursdays by the Louisiana Baptist Message, 1250 MacArthur Drive, Jeff Coleman, David Cranford, Bobby Daniels, Larry Evans, Alexandria, Louisiana 71303. Lonnie Gothrup, Dale Goodman, James Hester, Darris Warren © Copyright 2019 Baptist Message. All rights reserved Volume 134 September 26, 2019 Number 19

September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message Louisiana Churches 3 Manuel shares good news at LC Great Commission Seminar By Brian Blackwell much hope for the faithful- Message Staff Writer ness of Louisiana Baptist students. PINEVILLE (LBM)--In Manuel believes the a day when fewer young next generation of Christ professionals nationwide followers will become pas- are attending worship ser- sionate about evangelism, vices as consistently as pri- participation in mission or generations, Louisiana trips, service to their com- Baptist young adults are munity and helping the bucking the trend, Keith less fortunate. Manuel said during the C3: “I hope you’re learn- Christ, Church, Culture ing to pray while you’re Apologetics Conference in here, that your prayer life Louisiana College’s Guinn is enhanced,” Manuel said. Auditorium, Sept. 9. Marvin Jones, assistant professor “The way that your prayer The C3 Apologetics of theology and church history at life is enhanced is to read Conference is part of LC’s Louisiana College, is coordinator the Bible.” Great Commission Semi- for the C3 Apologetics Conference. Marvin Jones, assistant nar. professor of theology and “God is doing some and 27 percent of Genera- church history and coordi- great things in and tion Z (those born between nator of the C3 Apologetic through our Millennials,” 1997 and 2012) agree that Conferences, said Manuel he said. “And I believe “it is wrong to share one’s was the perfect choice to we can reach this state personal beliefs with some- lead off the 2019-20 series. through the things they one of a different faith in “Dr. Keith Manuel love.” was the obvious choice hopes that they will one Citing a Barna study, day share the same faith.” for the kickoff of the C3 Brian Blackwell photo Manuel said 47 percent Conference on Millenni- However, during his Keith Manuel, evangelism and church growth team director for Louisiana of Millennials (those born travels around the state, als and how they impact between 1981 and 1996) Baptists, said during the C3 Conference that God is moving among young Manuel said he gathered See C3, page 6 adults in the state.

September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message 4 Louisiana News

port, and help and to enable and to empower. We have a Annex from page one desire to see an army, a gen- impacting the work in this preparation areas. eration of people, coming area for six decades. His Jamie Dew, president of out of our campus back into footprint is quite large, NOBTS, told the crowd at our churches, back into the spiritually, and he is de- the ribbon cutting that the broken parts of this world, serving of great honor.” seminary was excited to and there serve Christ and The facility will house have such a facility that will serve those people.” a church planting incuba- support the equipping of Under the direction of tor – where new church future ministry leaders. Mike Shumock, who serves starts can use space for “We exist for you,” he as missions builder strategist offices and worship, a New said. “You folks are the ones for Louisiana Baptists and is Orleans Baptist Theological that are on the front lines. the coordinator for Baptist Seminary extension center, You folks are the ones doing Builders, a construction mis- a pastoral ministry train- Kingdom work and that sions group, teams worked Ministry leaders from across the state pray for Baptist Association of ing space, and, a Louisiana God is using in a mighty since January with Louisiana Greater Baton Rouge team members who are participating in upcoming Baptist disaster relief “hub” way. Our job is to come Baptists to frame and install international missions trips. that will offer shower and alongside and train, sup- sheetrock, electrical wir- was in the area of missions Baptist Church in Lafay- ing and plumbing systems to help start new churches ette finished Moreauville Insurance for Churches inside the 1,700-square-foot and help them grow to the Community Church’s Since 1916 facility. point where they could turn 2,880-square-foot worship Volunteers included around get their own facili- center and food pantry. members from Istrouma ties.” Other projects planned Baptist Church, Baton Shumock said the for 2019 include construc- Rouge, Florida Boule- BAGBR project is the fifth tion of a 1,200-square-foot vard Baptist Church, Ba- one undertaken by Baptist addition to the worship cen- ton Rouge, Faith Baptist Builder volunteers this year: ter for Greys Creek Baptist Church, Livonia, First — In May, Mississippi Church in Denham Springs, Baptist Church, Livings- Baptists helped rebuild a which was heavily dam- ton, First Baptist Church, 5,000-square-foot educa- aged in the flood of 2016; Call 318.442.0269 Sumrall, and First Baptist tion facility for Suburban building an 8,000-square- Church, Crosby, Mississippi. Baptist Church in New foot multi-purpose facility [email protected] “The vision of the church www.spenglerstewart.com Orleans, which lost several at First Baptist Church in as being an incubator is of its buildings after an EF-3 Napoleonville; construct- Lori Ardoin & Paul D. Stewart what drew us to this proj- tornado touched down in ing a 20,000-square-foot ect,” Shumock said. “This the area Feb. 7, 2017. multi-purpose facility at — In early June, a team First Baptist Church in from Franklin Creek Baptist Port Barre; and, building Association in Alabama, a 3,000-square-foot multi- with assistance from a Wis- purpose facility at Korean consin Baptist volunteer, Baptist Church in Leesville. helped the Korean Baptist Church in Leesville build a To learn more about 3,000-square-foot multipur- volunteering with the pose facility. Baptist Builders call ## — In late June, members 225.975.0848 or visit face- of El Renuevo Hispanic book.com/groups/ LCLC FRIENDSFRIENDS AREARE FOREVERFOREVER FRIENDSFRIENDS LOUISIANALOUISIANA COLLEGECOLLEGE HOMECOMINGHOMECOMINGHOMECOMING OCTOBEROCTOBER 17-19,17-19, 20192019

We look forward to seeing you back on campus for Homecoming 2019! For the schedule of activities, visit: https://www.lacollege.edu/alumni/alumni-events or contact Kathy Hegwood Overturf ’80 at 318-487-7301 or [email protected].

September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message Louisiana News 5

Agreement from page one apply a portion of their un- partnership with Louisi- dergraduate coursework to ana College that enables the Accelerated Master of students to expedite their Divinity program at NOBTS education by qualifying for (Accelerated M.Div.). advanced standing in the The program reduces M.Div. program at NOBTS.” educational redundancy “Collaboration is a and the time it takes to vital strategy to help place complete the M.Div. by qualified ministers in the leveraging the quality bibli- work of God’s kingdom cal studies and ministry in a timely manner. We instruction students receive appreciate the vision of Dr. at LC. Dew and his cooperation in Students who are ap- such an endeavor,” Louisi- proved for this advanced ana College President Rick standing can complete the Brewer said. “We both see M.Div. degree at NOBTS this as a win-win for each faster than students who institution. But more than are not eligible for the that, this is also win-win NOBTS file photo program. for God-called students and An agreement signed by Louisiana College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary will allow LC mis- According to Dew, the our spiritually needy world sions & ministries majors to apply a portion of their undergrad coursework to the Accelerated Master of Divinity main goal of the agreement that urgently needs to see at NOBTS. is to advance the gospel by and hear the Gospel of M.Div. credits, they are gram. ate course to receive credit helping God-called men Jesus Christ.” able to save thousands of LC students and gradu- toward a master’s course. and women complete their Qualifying students can dollars while completing a ates must meet additional In addition, the credits ministry preparation in a receive advanced standing degree. requirements to qualify can only be applied to the timely manner. for up to 25 percent of the In preparation for the for the Accelerated M.Div. Accelerated M.Div. pro- “With an eye towards M.Div. degree. agreement, the two schools Potential Accelerated gram within five years of advancing Christ’s King- This allows Accelerated worked together to identify M.Div. students must apply a student’s baccalaureate dom, it is absolutely vital M.Div. students to enter courses at LC which were to NOBTS and meet all the graduation. that we provide efficient NOBTS with a significant comparable or equivalent admissions requirements For more information avenues for our students to number of hours toward to NOBTS courses. NOBTS for the school. and a complete list of receive theological prepara- the 84-hour standard then matched the qualify- Students must have qualifying courses, visit tion,” Dew said. “As such, M.Div. Since students ing courses with courses in earned a “B” or higher in www.nobts.edu/acceler- we are excited about our are not charged advanced the NOBTS M.Div. pro- a qualifying undergradu- atedmdiv.

September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message 6 Louisiana News people to believe and to be baptized is basic to the Births from page one Great Commission. I pray church to participate in pastor, I adopted a philoso- now that our churches will Baptism Sunday either by phy to preach specifically seek to disciple those who baptizing or preaching on on the subject of baptism were baptized, which leads baptism,” Horn said. “As a at least once a year. Calling to further evangelism.” Pastor of Family Life, Justin Woulard, said the baptisms at Walker Baptist reflect a spiritual revival happening within the congregation. Like Mc- Con, Woulard recently was blessed to baptize a loved Submitted photo one: his son, Judah. “I picked him up and Ray McCon (seated left), minister of students, and Justin Woulard, pastor of Family Life, pose with 10 of the 15 students baptized on Sunday, Aug. hugged him because I 11 at Walker Baptist Church. thought I might start cry- ing,” Woulard, who serves of years that this moment cipleship classes for chil- as pastor of Family Life,” just made me, as a proud dren, youth, senior adults Woulard said of the Aug. father, tear up.” and others. Some members 11 baptism. “I had seen so The church, which aver- also volunteer bi-weekly at many people in our church ages 310, combined, for its the church’s food pantry pour into him and dis- two Sunday morning wor- to help provide food to ciple him the last couple ship services, offers dis- needy residents of the city. Others provide Bibles for distribution in Belarus and some take a mission trip to do community outreach with a church in New York City. “I’ve been praying for revival in our state,” Interim Pastor Lonnie Wascom said. “I don’t care who He starts with but I don’t want Him to leave us out. We are excited about what God has in store for Walker Baptist and we are praying we continue to be obedient to His plan for us.”

Look at baptismes- sage.com for more pho- tos of baptisms across Louisiana on Baptism Sunday. C3 from page 3 the church,” Jones said. “His studies which are supported by his personal ministry to Millennials are groundbreaking in that he, unlike most of his contem- poraries who study Millen- nial patterns, sees a bright future for the church and for Millennials relating to the Church. Keith’s pre- sentation was relevant to the topic, including new statistical analysis, behav- ioral insights, and passion for this generation. I am thankful for Keith’s friend- ship through the years and grateful for his ministry to Louisiana Baptist and Louisiana College.”

Dates for the next C3 Conference will be an- nounced as details are finalized. September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message Louisiana News 7 Students see ‘M-azing’ growth at 2019 M-fuge

By Brian Blackwell throughout the commu- Message Staff Writer nity. Students held Backyard PINEVILLE – Many Bible clubs in Pineville at students entered the re- the Wardville campus of cent Ministry Fuge camp the Gathering Place, and in at Louisiana College look- Alexandria packed boxes ing for an opportunity to at the Food Bank of Cen- serve others and left hav- tral Louisiana and spruced ing had an encounter with up the grounds and facili- Christ. ties at the Hope House for Six campers repented battered women. for salvation, eight re- “We are pleased to pented to restore fellow- continue hosting Lifeway’s ship with the Lord, three M-Fuge summer camps indicated a Holy Spirit call on our campus,” Louisiana Brian Blackwell photo to ministry and eight made College President Rick A student helps pack boxes at the Food Bank of Central Louisiana during M-Fuge, hosted by Louisiana College some other spiritual deci- Brewer told the Baptist in Pineville, July 15-19. The camp allows students to serve at ministry sites throughout Alexandria and Pineville. sion, according to Carol Message. “Plans include an study and share the Gos- Pipes, media representa- expansion of M-Fuge camp pel through mission ac- tive for LifeWay Christian offerings at the College in tivities. M-Fuge is part Resources. future years offering more of four FUGE camps that Throughout the week high school students the take students out of their of July 15-19, the 115 middle opportunity to experience normal routines and place and high school students our campus while respond- them into an environment from churches in Louisi- ing to the Lord in service focused on life change ana, Mississippi and Texas and worship.” through a relationship enjoyed a time of worship Since 1995, LifeWay with Christ. FUGE camps and Bible study at the Pin- Christian Resource’s M- eville campus each morn- Fuge camps have given See M-FUGE, page 8 ing and then dispersed into students an opportunity smaller teams to minister to participate in Bible (Copy and post this friendly reminder)

q Register for a free community workshop about Protecting Assets from Nursing Home Costs and Medicaid without buying Ownership from page 2 insurance even if someone is already receiving care. The mistake made too creating ownership). An Evening That Could Save Your Estate often by leaders is to just Give them ongoing 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Nov 7th Thursday Evening Experience Counts! “fill the position.” encouragement and coach- at the Broadmoor Branch Library Don’t recruit people just ing, but let them work to 920 Pierremont Rd, Suite 105 to fill positions. solve the problems. Then Shreveport, LA 71106 1212 Capt. Shreve Drive — Shreveport Set a goal to find indi- 1-888-836-2738 celebrate the victories as safeplanning.net Reserve your seats 24/7 Online: viduals capable of leading – they become an extension safeplanningseminars.net/event those who are receptive of of your ministry. No one should lose Or by Phone: 318- 869- 3133 the vision, and, responsive Then find other recruits everything they own paying to the intrinsic motivation and “rewind and repeat.” for long-term care! of “taking charge” while Developing effective We provide speakers to groups all you train them for the leaders takes time. But if over Louisiana to educate families task, give them freedom done right, you, too, will about the single-greatest financial to complete the job and be able to say of your men- threat most have failed to hold them accountable for tee, “I have no one else like adequately address. the results (the process of him.” Information online: • Avoid losing all your savings and investments! • Visit us at safeplanning.net • Your home is now a bigger target than ever—learn ways to “Like” us on Facebook at • protect it! facebook.com/safeplanninginc • Avoid leaving a spouse financially devastated! • We offer a video course and free • Does your will leave everything to your spouse? It might be a planning tools to download at HUGE MISTAKE! safeplanningseminars.net • How could changing Medicaid rules and Expanded Medicaid affect you? Don’t let your estate • Do you know how a spouse can receive up to $3,090 per go down the drain! month of the income of their spouse in a nursing home and have their care paid for even while owning substantial assets? • Do you understand Gifting Rules, Look-Back Periods, how Medicaid treats common “tax loopholes” and ignores pre- nuptial agreements? Find out! • Could an Irrevocable Trust become your worst enemy? Learn the pitfalls and traps! • Do you know why it may be a bad idea to put kids’ names on your accounts? • Do you know how preserving assets can better assure a patient’s quality of care and quality of life? Contact us about speaking • Is a loved one already in a nursing home or receiving care? to your group! Find out why it may not be too late to save their estate!

September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message 8 Louisiana News

LC photo Brian Blackwell photo Since 1979, LifeWay’s FUGE Camps have seen God work in the lives of more than 1.7 million students and adults. M-Fuge allows students to serve Christ at numerous ministry sites in Al- During the week of July 15-19, 115 middle and high school students from churches in Louisiana, Mississippi exandria and Pineville, such as the Gathering Place’s Wardville campus and Texas enjoyed a time of worship and Bible study on the Louisiana College campus and then dispersed into in Pineville. These students do community outreach at the church, which smaller teams to minister throughout the community. includes face painting.

M-Fuge from page 7 are for students hav- ing completed 6th grade through 12th grade. Youth pastors can choose from one of four programs at FUGE — Centrifuge, M- Fuge, X-Fuge and X-Fuge on Mission. This year’s theme for all four FUGE camps was “Restored” which focused on how God sent a perfect Savior as the remedy to repair what was broken. Cassie Cook, an elev- enth grader from Ephesus Baptist Church in For- est, Mississippi, enjoyed painting faces of children from the Wardville neigh- borhood at the Gathering Place. “I’ve had a blast and have loved the opportu- nity to get involved with where Christ is at work,” Cook said. “This week has reminded me that it’s important to com- municate Jesus’ love with everyone.” Teresa Thomas, an adult leader with the First Baptist Church in Lum- berton, North Carolina, enjoyed watching her students step out of their comfort zones to share the Gospel. “It’s so important for them to be the hands and feet of Christ, and I’m thankful this camp has al- lowed them to put it into practice,” Thomas said. “They will, hopefully, come back to their own community even more fired up to share Him.”

September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message Cultural News 9 Democratic Party chooses ‘godless’ over ‘God-fearing’ By Will Hall to exhibit depression fines up to $2,500 and six edent of the federal First Message Executive Editor and are rated above their Cultural News months in jail for each Amendment in making a peers in social skills and day they refused to com- narrow the application of SAN FRANCISCO leadership ability. criminating, but does ply with the ordinance its ruling, limited to only (LBM)—The Democratic The importance of not include homosexual- with regard to using their the creation of custom National Committee has the study is embedded ity as a protected class. talents to create wedding wedding invitations by passed a resolution prais- in statistics that show 56 However, Phoenix is one invitations for same-sex Duka and Koski. Conse- ing the religiously unaf- percent of girls and 49 of four Arizona cities that couples. quently, other Christian filiated while at the percent of boys who passed ordinances that of- The Arizona Supreme business owners will need same time con- are 15 years old fer special rights regarding Court voted 4-3 that the to file separate lawsuits if demning people report having sexual orientation and do Phoenix measure was they feel municipal ordi- of faith who do had at least one not allow exceptions for coercive, stating in the nances infringe upon their not support a special roman- religious convictions with majority opinion that “an religious beliefs regarding liberal political tic relationship regard to providing servic- individual has autonomy same-sex weddings. agenda. in the previous es for same-sex weddings. over his or her speech and The city is considering In the “Resolu- 18 months. Consequently, the thus may not be forced a potential appeal, with tion Regarding Reli- The study owners of the Brush and to speak a message he or the mayor describing the giously Unaffiliated De- involved nearly 600 Nib Studio, Joanna Duka she does not wish to say.” religious beliefs of Duka mographic” the DNC cited sophomores who were and Breanna Koski, faced The court cited the prec- and Koski as “hate.” the growth of the number compared as four groups of religiously unaffiliated with regard to dating among Democrats, calling (low, increasing, high, the demographic “the larg- frequent) to see how they est religious group within “differed on emotional, the Democratic Party,” and interpersonal, and adap- praising the fact that they tive skills,” using teacher “share the Democratic observations in the three Party’s values, with 70% areas and student self- voting for Democrats, 80% reports (positive relation- supporting same-sex mar- ships, depression and riage, and 61% saying im- suicidal ideation). migrants make American The data showed that society stronger.” “adolescents who were Meanwhile, in the not in a romantic rela- same resolution, the DNC tionship had good social denounced those who use skills and low depression” their “religious views” compared to peers who to define their “morals, dated. values, and patriotism” and rebuked anyone who believes “religious lib- erty” protects these views against the competing views of the LGBT com- munity and other opposing groups. The Arizona Supreme Court voted The resolution was 4-3 in favor of Christian artists Jo- championed with the DNC anna Duka (left) and Breanna Koski, by the Secular Coalition of owners of Brush & Nib Studio. The America, a group that lob- court said a Phoenix measure was co- bies for atheists, agnostics ercive, stating in the majority opin- and humanists. ion that “an individual has autonomy over his or her speech and thus may not be forced to speak a message he or she does not wish to say.” Alliance Defending Freedom photo Arizona Supreme Court rules in favor of Christian artists

PHOENIX (LBM) — The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled in fa- RESEARCH: Students who vor of Christian friends who serve homosexu- delay dating are better als among the clientele adjusted than peers of their calligraphy and hand-painting business, ATHENS, Ga. (LBM)— but ran afoul of a city Researchers with the Col- ordinance by refusing to lege of Public Health of the honor same-sex weddings University of Georgia have with their artwork. found that “non-dating” State law prohibits adolescents are less likely businesses from dis- September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message 10 Classifieds Message

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To place a classified ad , complete this form and fax to 318.445.8328 or mail to Baptist Message Advertising, 1250 MacArthur Drive, P.O. Box 311, Alexandria, LA 71309 For questions, please call Rhonda at 318.449.4351 or email [email protected] September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message Louisiana Notables 11 editOr’S NOte: Do you have a Revival, Home- be dinner on the grounds following the wor- ter, September 27, 10 p.m. Guest Speaker: Luke September 29, 6 p.m. Benji harlan will be con- lap blankets, aluminum crutches, crutch tips coming, a new pastor, a community outreach or ship service. Speaker: harold Gaddy. Pastor: hockenjos. Pastor: Jeff Tinsley. ducting the 200-voice choir made up of several and sleeves for crutches, canes and collaps- a concert? The Baptist Message would love to Patrick Magee. n Beouf river Baptist Church Winnsboro: congregations throughout Louisiana. in addi- ible walkers given to Joni and Friends gets share your church news with the rest of the state. Men’s Sportsman event, September 28, Pastor: tion to organ and piano, the choir will be ac- restored and gifted to someone who has only It is very easy to do, just send in your informa- reViVaL Kevin Goodman. companied by a brass ensemble comprised of ever dreamed of mobility. The drive will take tion (who, what, where and when) to philip@ n Chase Baptist Church, Chase: Blessing of the musicians from northwestern State university. place at 129 Calhoun Street, independence. baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To n Dixie Baptist Church, Sieper: revival, Sep- hunt, September 28, doors open at 5 p.m.; din- n Kingston road Baptist Church, Shreveport: For more information, call Kathy hayden at get your event in the paper, please submit your tember 25-29. evangelist: Mackey Willis Fam- ner at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Speaker: Fifth Sunday Singing, September 29, 4-6 p.m. 985.517.8475 or email her at kathayden66@ information three weeks prior to the event. ily. Pastor: Brandon Smith. r. Larry Moyer, Founder and CeO of evanTell. Pastor: Jeremy Spurling. yahoo.com. Pastor: Gary Dennis. n First Baptist Church, Winnsboro: harvest Cost: $2.50 in advance, $5 at the door. The n Grace Memorial Baptist Church, Slidell: The n Pioneer Baptist Church, Pioneer: Ben Waites ON tHe MOVe Day, September 29, 10:55 a.m. (morning wor- church is located at 569, hwy 3210, Chase. Pas- Voices of Louisiana College, September 29, 11 in concert, October 6, 10:45 a.m. Pastor: Gary ship); 5th Sunday Singing, 5 p.m. There will be tor: Dale Goodman. a.m. Pastor: Dennis Phelps. Wolfe. n Colt Waagner, David ray robertson, Dustin a finger food fellowship following the evening n Mulberry Baptist Church, houma: Beth Trinity Baptist Church, Oakdale: Master4 n ruple Baptist Church, haynesville: South- Cunningham were licensed to the gospel min- service. A harvest Day offering will be received. Moore Living Proof Simulcast, September 28, Southern Gospel Quartet in Concert, Septem- ern Plainsmen in concert, October 6, 11 a.m. istry during the final night of the hot August n Philadelphia Baptist Church at horseshoe 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 a.m. Cost: $25 includes lunch ber 29, 10:45 a.m. A covered dish meal will Pastor: Jerry Gill. night revival at Old Zion hill Baptist Church, Drive, Alexandria: revival, September 29-Oc- and snack. To register go to mbcwomen.event- follow the worship service. A love offering will n First Baptist Church, West Monroe: refresh independence. Pastor: Gary Dennis. tober 2, Sunday, 5:30 p.m. and Monday- brite.com. Pastor: Brad Simon. be taken. everyone is welcome. Pastor: Dennis Conference, October 6-8. refresh: A night of n Jay Foster is the new interim pastor at Beth- Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. nightly. evangelist: Bill n First Baptist Church, Lafayette: refresh LaFleur. Worship with Shane & Shane, October 6, 6-8 saida Baptist Church, ida. Britt. Music: Ben Waites (September 30), Octa- 2019 – Look up, September 28, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. n hodge Baptist Church, hodge: Southern p.m. Special Message: David nasser. October n ren Watkins has left Broadmoor Baptist via (October1). Pastor: Clay Fuqua. Guest Speaker: Kathy nelson. Worship Music: Plainsmen in concert, September 29, 5 p.m. A 9: James Merritt, Touching Lives Ministries will Church, Shreveport as middle school minister n First Baptist Church, Simsboro: revival, Tyler and Aimee hennessee. Childcare will be love offering will be taken. speak. Cost: Free. Tickets are Free but reserve for First Baptist Church, Moss Bluff. September 29-October 2, evangelist: 2TALK42 available. register at fbclaf.org/refresh. Pastor: n rocky Springs Baptist Church, Lisbon: your seats now on First West’s ticketing portal. n Michael Sanders is the new pastor at West Ministries. Pastor: Jason Cole. reggie Ogea. Peterson-Brown Music Celebration Concert, Tickets will be required to enter the concert. Lake Baptist Church, Doyline. n Chase Baptist Church, Chase: revival, Sep- n Friendship Baptist Church, Bienville: South- September 29, 5:30 p.m. Original music and Pastor: Michael Woods. n David Martin has retired from hopewell tember 29 - October 3. evangelist: Sam Moore. ern Plainsmen in concert, September 28, 6 poetry by David Peterson and Lane Brown. n Melbourne Baptist Church, Transylvania: Baptist Church, Spearsville. Pastor: Dale Goodman. p.m. Pastor: robert Leach. Pastor: Larry Sellers. The erwins in Concert, October 6, 6 p.m. Pastor: n John rushing is the new pastor at Sardis n Mangham Baptist Church, Mangham: re- n esler Baptist Church, Pineville: Blessing n Good Pine Baptist Church, Jena: Sanctu- Butch Goodman. Baptist Church, Farmerville. vival, September 29 – October 3, 6:30 p.m. of the hunt Sunday, September 29, Sunday ary Quartet in concert, September 29. Pastor: n First Baptist Church, Jena: Seventh Day evangelist: Casey Johnson. Pastor: rick Ault- School, 9:30 a.m., Worship: 10:45 a.m. Dinner Brandon Poole. Slumber in concert, October 7, 6 p.m. Cost: $10 HOMeCOMiNG man. on the grounds will follow the worship service. n Philadelphia Baptist Church at horseshoe at the door. Pastor: Dominick DiCarlo Jr. n Pioneer Baptist Church, Pioneer: Fall re- Wear your camo. Pastor: Joshua Timothy. Drive, Alexandria: Ben Waites in concert, Sep- n First Baptist Church, Pineville: First@First n Glenmora Baptist Church, Glenmora: 125th vival, October 6-9, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. (Sunday n new hope Baptist Church, Choudrant: Sanc- tember 30, 6:30 p.m. Pastor: Clay Fuqua. Business Leader Luncheon, October 7, noon. homecoming Celebration, September 27-29, School) 10:45 a.m. (revival Worship) and 5 tuary Quartet in concert, September 29, 11 n First Baptist Church, Dubach: Trevor Thomas Speaker: Blake Chatelain, president/Chief Friday, 6:30 p.m. Speaker: Todd Burnaman; p.m. (revival Worship), Monday-Wednesday a.m. Pastor: Dwayne Monk. Drama Ministries, October 2, 6 p.m. Pastor: executive Officer of red river Bank. Cost: $10 Saturday, 6:30 p.m. Speaker: neil Treme; Sun- 6:30 p.m. After Sunday’s PM revival Worship n Canaan Baptist Church, Spearsville: Luke Cory Bruce. (lunch catered by Southern Creations) and day, 11 a.m. Speaker: Jeremy Blocker. Dinner there will be a fellowship meal. Speaker: Bill hockenjos guest speaker, September 29, 11 n Wilda Baptist Church, Boyce: Trevor Thomas open to the business community. Please rSVP on the grounds will follow the Sunday wor- robertson. Worship: Ben Waites. Pioneer is a.m. Pastor: Brian Williams. Drama Ministries, October 4, 7 p.m. Pastor: by 8 a.m. on October 7 to Lori Pruitt at lpruitt@ ship service. if you have any questions or need located at 6029 Broadway Street (highway n Creston Baptist Church, Saline: Southern Joey rudisill. fbcpineville.net. Pastor: Stewart holloway. directions please call 318.748.4565, Glen- 17), Pioneer. For more information, please call Plainsmen in concert, September 29, 10:30 n Pine Grove Baptist Church, ruby: Trevor n First Baptist Church, Logansport: Louisiana mora Baptist Church, 910 9th St., Glenmora, La 318.282.8653. Pastor: Gary Wolfe. a.m. A love offering will be taken. Pastor: Tru- Thomas Drama Ministries, October 5, 6 p.m. Baptist Singing Women in concert, October 71433. Pastor: neil Treme. n new Prospect Baptist Church, Dry Prong: Fall man Leach. Pastor: Brent romero. 10, 6 p.m. An offering will be taken for the Te- n Oak hill Baptist Church, Bastrop: 65th revival, October 6-9, Sunday, 6 p.m.; Monday- n First Baptist Church, Winnsboro: Fifth Sun- n Old Zion hill Baptist Church, independence: resa Thomason Scholarship. This scholarship is homecoming, September 29, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. evangelist: Dick Debusk. day singing, September 29, 5 p.m. Finger foods Joni and Friends Wheelchair Drive, October 5 & awarded to a participant in the LA Baptist State Speaker: Chad Tingle will bring a message in Music: Price harris. Pastor: Trey Lewis. to follow singing. Pastor: Craig Beeman. 19, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. each wheelchair, wheel- Piano Festival for the purpose of furthering song. Pastor: Andy Myrick. n Gray Baptist Church, Jefferson, Texas: Fall n First Baptist Church, Winnfield: The Big Sing, chair parts, cushions, trays, foot and leg rests, their collegiate studies. Pastor: Shawn Thrapp. n Conway Baptist Church, Marion: home- revival, October 6-9, Sunday, 11 a.m. & 6 coming, September 29, 10 a.m. (Southern p.m.; Monday-Wednesday 6:30 p.m. nightly. revelation in concert), 11 a.m. Memorial and evangelist: Marvin Cooper, pastor of Bethany Worship service. Lunch will follow in the Fam- Baptist Church, Bethany. Worship Music: Trees Scripture Crypto ily Life Center. Guest Speaker: J.e. Brown. The Baptist praise band. Pastor: roy Davis. church is located north of Farmerville at 4323 n Longview Baptist Church, Deville: revival The Scripture Crypto is a Bible verse in which one letter has been substituted for another, thus encoding the verse. To find out what the verse hwy 549. Friends and families of present and – Sunday nights in October, October 6, 6 p.m., is, you must determine what each letter is a substitute for. An “a,” for example, may stand for a “t” in this week’s issue of the ScriptureCrypto. former members are invited to attend. Pastor: Speaker: Wayne Jones, Music: Catahoula Drive, next week, “a” could stand for a “d.” each week, each letter is different. Solve by trial and error. The answer will be given next week. note: All Paul Carter. October 13, 6 p.m., Speaker: Daryl Stagg, Mu- numerals, such as those in the scripture reference after the verse, are spelled out. n Magnolia Baptist Church, holden: 100th sic: Longview youth Band; October 20, 6 p.m., Anniversary Celebration, September 29, 10:30 Speaker: Tim Patrick. Music: robbie Briggs, Oc- a.m. dinner on the grounds will follow the tober 27, 6 p.m. Speaker: Andrew Scull, Music: service. The church is located at 21445 LA hwy. Kortnie Scull Family. Pastor: robby Poole. kysmp ufb dm db ydm yfbv, fbv yp kdcc xyisjeycz 442, holden, LA. Pastor: Berkley Boyd. n Alto Baptist Church, Alto: homecoming LaGNiaPPe Celebration, September 29, 10:30 a.m. Dinner will follow the worship service. Speaker: Steve n First Baptist Church, Lafayette: The hope njiep ydm ucssi, fbv kdcc efxypi xyp kypfx dbxs ydm horn, executive Director of Louisiana Baptist encounter Tour, September 26, 7 p.m. Worship: Convention. Pastor: Alan Miller. Danny Gokey and Coby James. Cost: $75 (ViP), n Jamestown Baptist Church, Jamestown: early entry ($35), general admission, $20. Pas- homecoming, September 29, 10:30 a.m. There tor: reggie Ogea. will be a covered-dish lunch following the wor- n Clara Springs Baptist Camp, Pelican: Mar- efibpi, wjx xyp gyfuu yp kdcc wjib kdxy udip ship service. Guest Speaker: Kent Lenard. The riage Matters now with Steve and Deb- church is located at 5852 hwy 154, Jamestown bie Wilson, September 27-28, Friday 6-8 LA 71045. Pastor: Stan Foster. p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. – noon. Cost: $50 per n Prosperity Baptist Church, Jonesville: 88th couple (price includes meals. Cabins are jbajpbgyfwcp. homecoming Celebration, October 6, Sunday available for an additional $60.) register by School 10 a.m. and Worship, 10:45 a.m. A cov- email:[email protected]. ered dish meal will follow the worship service. n First Baptist Church, Covington: The hope cjop xyipp:mprpbxppb Guest Speaker: XXXXX Music: Stillwater will be encounter Tour, September 27, 7 p.m. Worship: in concert following the meal from 1:30 – 2:30 Danny Gokey and Coby James. Cost: $75 (ViP), Clues: Answer to September 12 Scripture Crypto: p.m. Pastor: Tommy Sanson. early entry ($35), general admission, $20. Pas- U = F; D = I n Main Street Baptist Church, Bogalusa: 110th tor: Waylon Bailey. Haggai two: seventeen homecoming, October 6, 10:45 a.m. There will n First Baptist Church, haynesville: Fifth Quar- September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message 12 Focus on Louisiana College

DID Only 9% of born-again teens believe absolute truth exists. Only 20% of students highly-churched as teens YOU remain spiritually active by age 29. 6 of 10 born-again freshmen entering public colleges abandon the Faith KNOW? by the time they are seniors. CHURCH, we have a problem. Louisiana College has an answer.

To help remedy the alarming decline of a Christian worldview and biblical values among CHURCHED young people, Louisiana College strongly recommends the 12-lesson study book, THINKING LIKE A CHRISTIAN. Several LBC churches and private Christian schools are using the resource to help develop a Christian worldview among their students. Those uccessfully completing the book under supervision will be eligible to apply for our SCHAEFFER WORLDVIEW SCHOLARSHIP worth $10K over a 4-year period. (Additional parameters and conditions apply.)

PRE-APPROVAL from LC is REQUIRED for persons interested in completing the workbook with the scholarship in view. For more information on the workbook and the scholarship, please contact Dr. Philip Caples: [email protected] or 318.487.7254.

“In the 20th Century there was no clearer thinker, more cogent writer, and respected biblical theologian than Schaeffer. He challenged Christians to engage the culture with the truths of God. Louisiana College’s offer of the Schaeffer Worldview Scholarship in conjunction with the THINKING LIKE A CHCHRISTIANRISTIAN workbook can help students become salt and light in a spispirituallyritually needy world as we partner with churches in engaging the culture and adadvancingvancing the Kingdom of God.” - Dr. Rick Brewer Louisiana College President

800.487.1906

September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message

2 Joseph Willis: The story of the first Louisiana Baptist

By Randy Willis he did not consider Joseph a slave but a beloved son—in fact, his only son. How- a LOUiSiaNa BaPtiSt LeGaCY ever, this relationship did not sit well with some other members of the family. Joseph Willis preached the first Gos- From all indications, Agerton in- pel sermon by an evangelical west of the tended to free Joseph in his will, but this Mississippi River. presented legal problems. He crossed the mighty waters astride “An Act Concerning Servants and a mule and rode into the Louisiana Slaves,” the law in North Carolina, stated: Territory before Oct. 1, 1800, the date “at no Negro or Mulatto Slaves shall Napoleon secured this vast expanse of be set free, upon any Pretense whatsoev- land from Spain. e Louisiana Territory er, except for meritorious Services, to be extended from the Mississippi River to adjudged and allowed of by the County the Rocky Mountains and was largely Court and License thereupon first had unexplored, with many hidden and not- and obtained.” so-hidden dangers. What this meant was that Joseph He was born a Cherokee slave to his could not be freed solely by Agerton’s own father, and the obstacles intensified wishes. when his family took him to court to In 1776, Agerton was only forty-nine deprive him of his inheritance in a battle but in poor health, and Joseph was still Bayou Chicot’s Calvary Baptist Church was established by Joseph Willis on Nov. 13, 1812. It is too young to prove “meritorious Servic- that rose to involve the state governor. one of the oldest of all Louisiana Baptist churches. Ultimately, the state legislature resolved es.” Still, Agerton attempted to free him the matter in Joseph’s favor, but not It was Bradford who proclaimed Nov. Sometime after 1755 Agerton moved through his will written Sept. 18, 1776, to the full restitution he should have 29, 1623, as a time for pilgrims, along to Bladen County, and in 1758 his only and also to bequeath to him most of his received. with their Native American friends, to son, Joseph Willis, who would blaze a property. Neverthelessd, he fought in the Revo- gather and give thanks. His proclamation path for the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a Just eighty days before this will was lutionary War under the most colorful contained these words: “anksgiving to Louisiana Baptist, was born. written, the Declaration of Independence of all the American generals, Francis ye Almighty God for all His blessings.” Most of the early Bladen County had been signed, and times were very Marion, “e Swamp Fox.” is holiday later became known as deeds before 1784 were lost due to a se- chaotic. He then crossed the most hostile of anksgiving. ries of fires, and Agerton’s first purchase Unfortunately, Agerton would be territories and entered a land under the A century later, John Willis’s direct of land in Bladen County is not in the dead within a year at age fifty. rule of a foreign government, while the descendant, Joseph Willis, married a records that exist today. However, a de- dreaded Code Noir, the “Black Code,” direct descendant of William Bradford, scription of the bulk of his lands can be tHe raCe Card was in effect. Rachel Bradford. gleaned from later deeds that survived. As the first Louisiana Baptist he He purchased 640 acres from his An uncle, Daniel Willis, used a crafty preached a Gospel message that put him * * * brother Daniel on May 21, 1762, on the legal maneuver to deny Joseph his inheri- in constant mortal danger due to this west side of the Northwest Cape Fear tance, and his freedom. decree’s prohibitions against all religions John and Elizabeth Willis had nine River. en he bought an additional At this time in North Carolina, slaves except Catholocism. All the while he had children, and it is through their young- 2,560 acres between October 1766, and could not own real estate. erefore, if to endure a cloud of racial and religious est, Benjamin, that Joseph’s lineage is May 1773, on both sides of the Northwest Joseph was not freed, he could not be a prejudice – even to the point that his traced. Cape Fear River near Goodman’s Swamp. legal heir. Since Agerton had no other own denomination, at first, refused to Benjamin married Susanna Whitman Altogether, Agerton’s holdings children, his eldest brother Daniel Wil- ordain him. in 1681 in Bridgewater and they raised six formed a vast and nearly contiguous lis became Agerton’s “legal heir at law” He lost three wives and several children, and through Benjamin, Jr., the extent of land on both sides of the North- under the code of primogeniture in effect children in the wilderness, but stayed geneaological trail continued to Joseph. west Cape Fear River, near the current in the state until 1784. faithful to Christ to preaching the Gospel Benjamin, Jr., wedded Mary Leon- Cumberland County line in present-day Ignoring Agerton’s wish that Joseph of His Lord and Savior. ard in 1719, and they had five children, northwest Bladen County. be freed and named inheritor of his including a son, Agerton, who would As a planter, Agerton owned slaves, wealth, Daniel instead sent the following BeGiNNiNGS aBrOad become Joseph’s father. some of whom were Native American. letter to the governor of North Carolina: In fact, as late as the 1780s in North Daniel Willis Senr. To Gov. Caswell Joseph Willis’s story in America did MOVe tO NOrtH CarOLiNa, Carolina, a third of all slaves were Native Respecting Admtn. & C. not begin in this country, but in London, PLaNtatiON WeaLtH Americans, having been subjugated by Oct. 10th 1777. England, in 1606, when John Willis was white plantation owners. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCEL- born. William Moreau Goins, Ph.D., wrote LENCY In the early 1750s, Benjamin, Jr., in an educational journal about South It is hard to trace how John Willis and Mary moved their family to North I have a small favr. to beg if your Excel- made his way to this new land, but it is Carolina Indians that “When Americans lency will be pleased to grant it Viz. as my Carolina, with aunts and uncles and their think of slavery, our minds create images easy to understand his flight from the old families. Deceas’d Brother Agerton Willis gave the country – he faced religious persecution of Africans inhumanely crowded aboard graitest Part of his Estate to his Molata ey traveled by sea to New Hanover ships plying the middle passage from if he had stayed. (now named Wilmington), North Caroli- boy Joseph and as he is a born slave & not Nevertheless, John Willis first ap- Africa, or of blacks stooped to pick cot- set free Agreeable to Law my Brothers heirs na’s most navigable seaport. Even though ton in Southern fields. We don’t conjure peared in America, in official records at it was not used often for transatlantic are not satisfied that he shall have it. I am least, in Plymouth Colony, Massachu- images of American Indians chained in One of the Exectrs. and by Mr. M. Grice’s trade, this meant that this area of the coffles and marched to ports like Boston setts, in 1635, when his son John Willis, state was easily accessible from all other Directions have the Estate in my posses- Jr., was born. He name appears again in and Charleston, and then shipped to sion as the Trustee Refused giving Security English settlements along the coast. other ports in the Atlantic world. Yet colonial documents from Duxbury in On Dec. 13, 1754, Agerton purchased that the boy should have it when off Age 1637 when he married Elizabeth Hodg- Indian slavery and an Indian slave trade If he Could Inherit it and now this seting 300 acres in New Hanover County were ubiquitous in early America.” kins Palmer, on Jan. 2, 1637. She was the (in what is now southeastern Pender of counsel some of them Intends to Apply widow of William Palmer, Jr. Cherokee and other Native Ameri- for Administration as graitest Credit- County) “on the East Side of a Branch of cans were traded as slaves long before John Willis was later the first deacon Long Creek.” tors. I am my Brothers heir at Law and in Plymouth Church, whose parsonage is any arrived from Africa. e Indian slave if Administration is to be obtained I will Agerton Willis was taxed on this traders of the Carolinas engaged in slav- still preserved and maintained by the Old property the next year, with records apply myself Before the Rise of the Counsel Bridgewater Historical Society (OBHS), ing among the Westo, the Tuscarora, the and begg your Excellency will not grant it showing there were only 362 white peo- Yamasee, and the Cherokee. in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, as ple taxed in New Hanover that year. But to any off them Untill I Come your Excel- the oldest parsonage in America. public documents also show that twenty lency’s Compliance will graitly Oblige your John also had brothers who were families owned a significant number of BOrN a SLaVe most Obedient Humble Servt to Command immigrants to the Plymouth Colony slaves there during that time. DAN. WILLIS, SEN. area: Nathaniel Willis, Lawrence Willis, ese families, along with others like It was to a Cherokee slave of Ager- Pray Excuse my freedm. Jonathan Willis, and Francis Willis. them in southeastern North Carolina, ton’s that Joseph was born. e term “Molata [sic] boy” used Beause the population was about controlled the affairs of the counties in e relationship of Agerton and by Daniel might indicate his negative 400 in the 1630s. John Willis most likely which they lived and set the standards Joseph’s mother can only be speculation attitude toward Joseph’s mixed heritage, knew everyone in the Plymouth Colony of morals and religion. e four Willis because under the North Carolina laws of but likely it was used more for legal area when he arrived in 1635, especially brothers, Agerton, Daniel, Benjamin III 1741 all interracial marriages were illegal. emphasis in the letter. But, it could also its governor, William Bradford, who was and George, and their sister, Joanna, were Regardless, Joseph was born into slave reflect an appeal to intense feelings of the English Separatist leader of the set- part of this small, socially elite group of status. hate and prejudice that existed then tlers there. families. Yet, it is clear from Agerton’s will that toward Native Americans. September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message Joseph Willis: The story of the first Louisiana Baptist 3

Daniel Willis’s petition to the court part of South Carolina. His strategy was also reveals that Joseph was not of legal to surprise the enemy, cut their sup- age (21 years old) as of the date of the will, ply lines, kill their men, and release any Sept. 18, 1776. It should also be pointed American prisoners found. He and his out that technically this case should men then retreated swiftly to the thick have proceeded to the District Superior recesses of the deep swamps. They were Court at Wilmington, but this court was very effective, and their fame was wide- in abeyance until 1778, following the spread. collapse of the court law in November They took great pride in themselves. 1772. Therefore, Daniel was writing to the Marion’s orderly book states, “Every governor and council instead. officer to provide himself with a blue coa- The Bladen County tax list of 1784 tee, faced and cuffed with scarlet cloth, indicates that the case had been decided and lined with scarlet; white buttons; and by then -- because Agerton’s property was a white waistcoat and breeches…also, a taxed in that year under different family cap and a black feather….” members’ names. Even though Agerton’s Joseph would later proudly tell the will had been probated and Joseph was family and friends, “We were called living as if he were free, as he had always Marion men.” The lessons learned with done, he was still technically a slave. Marion served him well his entire life. In Bladen County during 1777 it is MY COUSiN’S KeePer estimated that two-thirds of the people were Tories. An oath of allegiance to But in an interesting twist, Joseph’s Beulah Baptist Church was established in 1816 by Willis. This historic picture was of a prayer North Carolina was required at that first cousin, John Willis, the eldest son of rally for troops fighting in World War 1 in 1918. time and those refusing to take it were Daniel, took steps to amend the injustice. the matter of a vast amount of personal times preferred Indian slaves, especially required to leave the state within sixty In November 1787, Daniel, a member property that were denied him. On top of Indian women and children, to blacks. days. of the General Assembly of North Caro- that, an additional 970 acres were deeded Carolina actually exported as many or Joseph Willis did not take this oath lina, introduced a “bill to emancipate Jo- directly to other members of the family. even more Indian slaves than it imported of allegiance, for he was a patriot loyal to seph, a Mulatto Slave, the property of the Sadly, Agerton’s will is lost and we’ll enslaved Africans prior to 1720.” his country, the United States of America. Estate of Agerton Willis, late of Bladen, never know if the records that are avail- Loyalty was a trait Joseph Willis dis- deceased.” The bill passed its third read- able reveal the true wealth Joseph should NOtHiNG BUt a HOrSe, played throughout his life—loyalty to his ing on Dec. 6, 1787, and Joseph was a free country, loyalty to his family, and loyalty have inherited. BridLe aNd SaddLe man by law at last. Regardless, it is evident that Joseph to his Savior, Jesus Christ. The following quotes from the settle- Willis undoubtedly could have related to “Patriots” was the name often used ment are of special interest: the situation of another Joseph, the one Many years later in Louisiana, Joseph to describe the colonists who rebelled Whereas, Agerton Willis, late of Bladen from the Bible, who said in his later life, would tell his grandchildren, Polk Willis against British control during the Ameri- County…did by his last will and testament “They meant it for evil, but God meant it and Olive Willis, who were tending to can Revolution. Their leading figures devise to the said Joseph his freedom and for good.” him in his last days, that he left North declared the United States of America an emancipation, and did also give unto the Carolina “with nothing but a horse, independent nation in July 1776. bridle, and saddle.” said Joseph a considerable property, both SLaVerY aNd NatiVe aMeriCaNS As a group, Patriots represented an ar- real and personal: And whereas the execu- Meanwhile, his cousin benefactor, ray of social, economic, ethnic, and racial tor and next of kin to the said Joseph did iN NOrtH CarOLiNa John Willis, saw his status rise in the backgrounds. They included college stu- in pursuance of the said will take counsel colonies becoming a member of the dents like Alexander Hamilton, planters thereon, and were well advised that the According to North Carolina genealo- General Assembly of North Carolina; and, like Thomas Jefferson and Joseph Willis’s same could not by any means take effect, gist and historian William Perry Johnson during the same year that he helped ob- father and uncles, lawyers like John Ad- but would be of prejudice to the said slave in a letter to Greene Strother, “In North tain Joseph’s “legal freedom,” 1787, he was ams, and just people who loved freedom, and subject him still as property of the said Carolina, American Indians up until the appointed as one of a committee of five like 18-year-old Joseph Willis. Agerton Willis; whereupon the said execu- mid-1880s, were labeled Mulattos…” from North Carolina to ratify the Consti- tor and next of kin, together with the heirs In her book, “North Carolina Indian tution of the United States. This was done SOUtH CarOLiNa of the said Agerton Willis, deceased, did Records,” Donna Spindel writes about the just in time for North Carolina to enter cause a fair and equal distribution of the Native Americans of this area of the state: the Union as the 12th state and to assist in It was in South Carolina, with the said estate, as well as do equity and justice “The Lumbee Indians, most of whom the election of George Washington as the Marion men, that Joseph befriended in the said case to the said Joseph, as in reside in Robeson County, constitute the first president of the United States. Richard Curtis, Jr., who played a signifi- pursuance of their natural love and affec- largest group of Indians in eastern North Then in 1795 John was appointed a cant role in Joseph’s decision to go west. tion to the said Agerton, and did resolve on Carolina.” Although their exact origin is brigadier general in the 4th Brigade of the In 1791, Curtis became the first Baptist the freedom of the said Joseph and to give a complex matter, they are undoubtedly Militia Continental Army. Five years later minister to establish a church in Missis- an equal proportion of the said estate…Jo- the descendants of several tribes that he moved to Natchez, Mississippi. He sippi. seph Willis shall henceforward be entitled occupied eastern Carolina during the ear- died there on April 3, 1802, and is buried Sometime after 1790, his fellow to all the rights and privileges of a free liest days of white settlement, but most behind the Natchez Cathedral. Swamp Fox compatriot O’Quin followed person of mixed blood: provided neverthe- have Anglo-Saxon names. Joseph’s social status was much more Joseph to Louisiana as the second Baptist less, that this act shall not extend to enable Living along the Pee Dee and Lum- modest given his mixed race heritage. minister west of the Mississippi River in the said Joseph by himself or attorney, or ber rivers in present-day Robeson and However, he and John did share in com- Louisiana. any other person in trust for him, in any adjacent counties, these Indians of mixed mon a deep sense of patriotism, and while manner to commence or prosecute any suit blood were officially designated as Lum- John eventually rose to brigadier general, bees by the General Assembly in 1956. Joseph was equally proud to serve as a JOSePH WiLLiS’S WiFe raCHeL BradFOrd or suits for any other property but such as aNd Her PiLGriM aNCeStOrS may be given him by this act…. But in the U.S. Censuses of 1850-1880 simple foot soldier. There is a lot revealed in this docu- most Lumbee families were designated ment. ‘mulatto,’” other documentation shows tHe SWaMP FOX Soon after the Revolutionary War, First, note that they called themselves that sometimes they were referred to as Joseph married Rachel Bradford, who was born about 1762. Their first child, Ager- the “next of kin” to the said Joseph. The ‘black.’ On June 14, 1775, the Continental ton, named after Joseph’s father, was born “fair and equal distribution” that is re- Joseph’s mother probably was not Congress, convening in Philadelphia, around 1785, and daughter Mary was ferred to turns out to be considerably less related to the Lumbee Native Americans established a Continental Army under the born next, in about 1787. than the “graitest Part” [sic] mentioned as she was not a part of the indigenous command of George Washington. Louisiana census records confirm in Daniel’s letter ten years before. A later peoples of this part of North Carolina. Proclaiming that “all men are created North Carolina as the place of birth for deed reveals that Joseph got 320 acres There were no Cherokees living in equal” and endowed with “certain un- both. as settlement, and the above document Bladen County at the time of Joseph’s alienable Rights,” the Congress adopted The last mention of Joseph in North indicates he also received some personal birth in 1758. Therefore, Joseph’s mother the Declaration of Independence, drafted Carolina was in the 1788 tax record for property as “consideration” for what “he likely had been brought to Bladen Coun- primarily by Thomas Jefferson, on July 4, Bladen County which listed him as own- may have acquired by his own industry.” ty, North Carolina, perhaps by Agerton in 1776. ing 320 acres. The other real estate that Joseph the early to mid-1750s. Joseph and a friend of his from Bladen Rachel descended from William should have received – but did not be- Tony Seybert writes in “Slavery and County, Ezekiel O’Quin, left for South Bradford (1590–1657) who had arrived in cause Agerton’s full last will and testa- Native Americans in British North Amer- Carolina to join up with General Francis Plymouth in 1621 aboard the Mayflower. ment was not followed -- is described as ica and the United States: 1600 to 1865” Marion, the “Swamp Fox.” That same year, on the death of the first “unbequeathed lands of Agerton” in later that “Because of the higher transporta- Marion operated out of the swampy governor of Plymouth, John Carver, deeds. The deeds on record confirm 2,490 tion costs of bringing blacks from Africa, forest of the Pedee region in the lower acres should have been his. Then there is whites in the northern colonies some- Bradford was chosen as the leader of the September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message 4 Joseph Willis: The story of the first Louisiana Baptist 5

Pilgrims and served as governor for over 30 years. was first licensed to preach. them a little meetinghouse, and these 16 persons After reaching Mississippi, the race card was might leave again a few hours later. of Joseph’s children were born to his third wife. As noted before, he is credited as the first gov- An interesting side note about Head of Enoree formed themselves into a church, and chose Shu- played against him again. Joseph married a woman born in South Caro- ernment leader to proclaim the anksgiving is that just a few years before Joseph became a bal Stearns for their pastor….” Joseph had taken his letter to a local church * * * lina, but whom he met in Mississippi or Louisi- holiday. member, the pastor, Thomas Musick, was excom- Stearns remained pastor there until his death, stating that he was a member in good standing ana. Her last name was Johnson. Importantly, William Bradford’s Mayflower municated in 1793 for immorality. and from this “meetinghouse” the South felt the while in South Carolina. Barely seven months before Calvary Baptist They welcomed a son into this world on Jan. pedigree did not have as much influence on Jo- This same man later organized Fee Fee Bap- flames of revival, the fan of which was carried The custom then, as now, among Baptists was founded, Louisiana became a state – in tur- 6, 1804, and named him William. He is buried at seph’s life as much as the religious movement that tist Church in Missouri in 1807 (according to the west by the unlikely missionary Joseph. was to transfer church membership by a letter. moil. Great Britain considered the Louisiana Pur- Humble Cemetery (formerly, Willis Flats) next to crossed with him on this ship. church’s history) located just across the Missis- In 1772 Morgan Edwards wrote that Stearns’s But this Mississippi congregation objected to his chase illegitimate, and Congress had declared war the Bethel Baptist Church in Elizabeth, Louisi- Bradford was a committed member of what sippi River near St. Louis. Fee Fee Baptist Church Sandy Creek church had “spread its branches ordination “lest the cause of Christ should suffer on this then-protagonist country—The War of ana. was termed a “Separatist” church. Unlike Puritans is the oldest Baptist church west of the Mississippi westward as far as the great river Mississippi.” reproach from the humble social position of his 1812—two months after making Louisiana a state. Other children born to this union were Lem- who wanted to purify the Church of England, Sep- River because Calvary Baptist Church at Bayou After courageously fighting in the American servant.” Just a month and a day before Calvary Baptist uel, 1812; John, 1814; Martha, 9, 1825. aratists wanted to break from it because they felt it Chicot was not established until 1812. Revolution with Francis Marion, “the Swamp Paxton wrote, “Such obstacles would have Church was constituted, the Half Moon Bluff There also was a Sally Willis listed in the 1850 was beyond redemption due to unbiblical doctrines Nevertheless, Musick did not preach west of Fox,” Joseph Willis was the first missionary and daunted the zeal of any man engaged in a less holy Baptist Church was organized on the Boque Chitto Rapides Parish census as 48 years old and living and teachings. It was Bradford’s Separatist views the Mississippi River until at least seven years church planter to preach the Gospel of Jesus cause.” River, in what is now Washington Parish. So it was near William Willis. about religious freedom that would greatly influ- after Joseph Willis did. Christ West of the Mississippi River. The “humble social position” of Joseph was the first Baptist church organized in what is now The last two known children of Joseph were ence Joseph Willis more than a century later. After a 1798 trip to Mississippi with Richard certainly not his wealth but the fact that his skin Louisiana but it was east of the Mississippi River. born to his fourth wife, Elvy Sweat. By 1790, Joseph and Rachel were living in Cher- Curtis, Jr., Joseph returned to South Carolina to MiSSiSSiPPi MiSSiONarY was swarthy. So Calvary Baptist Church is the first Baptist They were Samuel, 1836; and, Aimuewell May aws County (now named Marlboro County), South move his family to the Louisiana Territory and But once more Joseph’s longsuffering and Church started In Louisiana, west of the Missis- 1, 1837 (died Sept. 9, 1937, at age 100). Carolina, just southwest of Bladen County, across sell his South Carolina property. Never one to As mentioned before, Joseph was a member of willingness to pay whatever price to proclaim the sippi. Joseph would have been about 79 years old the state line. The 1790 census lists him as the head squander time, he helped incorporate the “Head Head of Enoree in 1797. Gospel came into play. Some fifteen to twenty miles southwest of Half when Aimuewell was born. of the household with two females and one male of Enoree Baptist Society” in 1799 before leaving. Late that year or early the next, he made his It’s evident his focus was not on the fiery Moon Bluff Church, Mount Nebo Baptist Church The 1850 Rapides Parish Census also records over 16. In South Carolina, two more children were It seems that he tarried until the spring of 1800 to first trip to Mississippi with Richard Curtis, Jr. furnace but on the “Fourth Man” in the fire: He was organized, Jan. 31, 1813. an additional four males in Joseph’s household born to the couplel: Joseph Willis Jr., born in 1792, depart on his second trip west, thereby avoiding This trip was made without his family, as it was knew the safest place in life is with the “Fourth Half Moon Bluff is extinct, but Mount Nebo and ages which allow calculating the birth year and Rachel’s last child, named after her, Rachel the winter weather. the custom of the time to venture west, find a safe Man”—his Savior and Lord Jesus. remains active. for each: James, 1841; William, 1845; Timothy, Willis, born circa 1794. Rachel died this same year place, and then return for the family. Paxton wrote, “he was a simple-hearted The Methodists had preceded the Baptists, es- 1847; and, Bernard,1848. at only 32 years old, but it is not known if she died SPiritUaL rOOtS aNd tHe FirSt W. E. Paxton recorded the results of this first Christian, glowing with the love of Jesus and an tablishing a church before these dates near Branch, It would be unlikely that Joseph would have a in childbirth. Great aWaKeNiNG trip: effective speaker.” Louisiana. But the first non-Catholic church in second son named William. Joseph was industrious and prosperous. By 1794 They sought not in vain, for soon after their Joseph Willis died on Sept.14, 1854, in Blanche, His youngest son Aimuewell Willis said before Louisiana was Christ Church, an Episcopal congre- Moreover, Aimuewell Willis always said he he had moved to Greenville County (the Washing- “Will you not revive us again, that your people return they were visited by William Thompson, Louisiana, about three miles south of Glenmora. He his own death in 1937, “the secret of my father’s gation, in New Orleans, holding its first service on was Joseph Willis’s youngest son. So, these last ton Circuit Court District), South Carolina, and may rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:6). who preached unto them the Gospel of our God: is buried in the Occupy #1 Baptist Church cemetery. success was personal work.” He said that as a boy Nov. 17, 1805, in the Cabildo. four males most likely are Joseph’s grandchildren. bought 174 acres on the south side of the Reedy and on the first Saturday in October, 1798, came he saw his father go to a man in the field, hold his Historian Ivan Wise wrote in “Footsteps of spent a large fortune while engaged in the minis- River. He purchased two adjoining tracts of 226 From the time Joseph heard and accepted William Thompson, Richard Curtis, and Joseph hand, and witness to him until he surrendered to * * * the Flock: or Origins of Louisiana Baptists” (1910) try, often at the hazard of his life, while the State acres, Aug. 16, 1794, and 200 acres, May 8, 1775, on the call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ his Willis, who constituted them into a church, sub- Christ. that two sons of Joseph died, “poisoned on honey belonged to the Spanish government.” the Reedy River. sermons were filled with the echoes of First Great ject to the government of the Cole’s Creek church, Today, many generations later, his influence By 1818, when Joseph and others founded the and were buried a half mile from the present That places Joseph Willis in Louisiana before The total of 600 acres included 226 acres with Awakening preachers like Jonathan Edwards, calling the newly constituted arm of Cole’s Creek, can still be seen. Louisiana Baptist Association at Cheneyville, town of Oakdale, Louisiana.” Oct. 1, 1800. rent houses and orchards, making Joseph, at this George Whitefield, and Shubal Stearns. ‘The Baptist Church on Buffaloe. One grandchild said Joseph would be reading he had been instrumental in founding all five of Joseph’s third wife died and is buried in an Third, in 1854, the Louisiana Baptist Associa- time, well-to-do. This spiritual movement, from 1734 – 1750, This church was located near Woodville, Mis- the Bible and talking to them as a few of them its charter members. They were Calvary, Bayou unmarked grave yet to be discovered, but prob- tional Committee wrote in Joseph Willis’s obitu- Deeds pertaining to these properties give the ignited a fire for revival in the hearts of many men sissippi, near the Mississippi River and due east would slip away, and he would say, “Children, you Chicot, 1812; Beulah, Cheneyville, 1816; Vermillion, ably is located at the site of the original Calvary ary, “The Gospel was proclaimed by him in these name of Joseph’s second wife as “Sarah an Irish like Joseph. of Bayou Chicot, Louisiana, where Joseph would can slip away from me, but not from God.” Lafayette, 1817; Aimwell (southeast of Oberlin), Baptist Church, in Vandenburg Cemetery. regions before the American flag was hoisted woman.” Edwards and Whitefield, leaders of the Great organize his first church west of the Mississippi 1817 (also called Debourn); and Plaquemine (near One historian wrote that Joseph Willis had 19 here.” So that had to have been before April 30, Two children were born in South Carolina to Awakening, had little interest in merely engaging River, Calvary Baptist. tHe CHUrCHeS Branch), 1817. children. 1803. Joseph and Sarah: Jemima Willis, circa 1796, and parishioners’ minds; they wanted to see evidence Paxton’s research shows that the country In 1824, with William Wilbourn and Isham Joseph’s children who were still living would What is known with more exactness is that Sarah’s last child, named “Sarah” after her, in 1798. of true repentance and spiritual conversion. They between Mississippi and South Carolina was “then After Joseph’s rejection in Mississippi, a Nettles, Joseph established Zion Hill Church at follow him when he would later move to Rapides Joseph preached the Gospel at great risk to his Sarah is called Joseph’s wife in a deed dated Aug. 8, stirred passion among their congregations by ani- infested by hostile Indians” -- a fact not likely lost friendly minister advised him to obtain a recom- Beaver Dam. Parish. Many were neighbors with him as late own life. 1799, but she died soon afterward. matedly proclaiming the joy of salvation and the on Curtis, who had experienced a Cherokee at- mendation from the people he worked among. He went far and wide, establishing Antioch as 1850, as the census reveals, as well as several When he crossed the Mississippi River Joseph had lost two wives in only six years, need to share the love of Christ through action. tack in 1780 during a trip to the area (family and This he did, and he presented it to the Mississippi Primitive Baptist Church on Oct. 21, 1827, just grandchildren who were grown by then. into the Louisiana Territory, the Code Noir, or the making him 45 years old and alone with five chil- This led other pastors to change from just friends on one of three long boats perished). Baptist Association. seventeen miles from the Texas State line near -- Joseph’s eldest child Agerton married “Black Code,” was the law of the land. dren. reading their theologically deep sermons, as was Because Joseph probably knew at least part of The association accepted the recommendation, Edgerly, Louisiana. Sophie Story, an Irish orphan brought from This decree from King Louis XIV regulated, Yet, he decided to venture west into a land the norm in the late colonial period, to making the Cherokee language, since he was half-Chero- and a church subsequently ordained Joseph. Joseph kept a diary and William Prince Ford Tennessee by a Mr. Park, who then lived near among other things, the condition of slavery and full of uncertainty and danger for the sake of the emotional calls for repentance unto salvation by kee, Curtis doubtless valued him on this 1798 trip Right away he constituted Calvary Baptist arranged these notes in 1841. Holmesville below Bunkie, Louisiana. His son, the activities of free people of color. It also re- Gospel. grace through faith in Christ. for what Joseph brought to the table in case of Church, with just six members, in Bayou Chicot, Paxton copied them in 1858 and used them and Daniel Hubbard Willis Sr., was the first of many stricted the practice of religion to Roman Catholi- He sold everything and spent it all for the Joseph Tracy, the minister and historian who another attack as much as he respected Joseph for Louisiana. Louisiana Baptist Association meeting minutes al- descendants to follow Joseph into the ministry. cism cause of Christ, while deliberately placing himself gave this revival its name in his 1842 book “The his passion for the Gospel. It is an active congregation to this day and cel- most exclusively as the basis for his research about Paxton described Daniel as “one of the most The Black Code stayed in effect until the Loui- in harm’s way to share the message of the Good Great Awakening,” even saw the First Great Curtis also knew well Joseph’s courage under ebrated its 200th anniversary in November 2012. Central Louisiana Baptists. respected ministers in the Louisiana Associa- siana Purchase on April 30, 1803. But, in reality, it News. Awakening as a precursor to the American Revo- fire, since both were Marion men together in the Paxton wrote, “The zeal of Father Willis, as Ford also made remarks in his duplicate notes, tion.” He established many churches himself, and was a hindrance to the preaching of the Gospel for lution. Revolutionary War. he came to be called by the affectionate people and one of his observations, made in 1834, is very was pastor of Amiable and Spring Hill Baptist many decades after the Louisiana Purchase. The Great Awakening’s influence on Joseph After the trip with Curtis to Mississippi in among whom he labored, could not be bounded revealing about Joseph: Churches for many years. In his later years, he Joseph was hated because of his defiance of BaPtiSt BeGiNNiNGS came through Shubal Stearns. 1798, Joseph returned to South Carolina for his by the narrow limits of his own home, but he trav- It was truly affecting to hear him speak of them was blind and his daughter read the Scriptures it, especially because it specifically forbade any In 1745, Stearns heard Whitefield’s cry for family and to sell his property. As mentioned be- eled far and wide.” as his children and with all the affection of a father for him as he preachrd. ministers coming into the territory except Roman “Therefore, come out from them and be sepa- repentance; left the Congregationalist church; and fore, he sold all of his land to William Thurston in Once when he was traveling and preaching, he allude to some schisms and divisions that had -- Joseph’s daughter Jemima married William Catholics. rate, says the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17). adopted the Great Awakening’s zeal for evange- August 1799, indicating his preparations to leave. stayed at an Inn. Several other men were staying arisen in the past and to warn them against the Dyer, and they lived on the Calcasieu River near He seemed to revel in his rebellion, heading In Greenville County, South Carolina, Joseph lism and belief in heartfelt conversion. there and one of them men was sick. Joseph read occurrence of anything of the kind in the future. Master’s Creek. into the heartland of the Black Code, going as far joined the Main Saluda Church. He also attended The next year, Stearns moved from Virginia tHe FirSt GOSPeL SerMON eVer PreaCHed BY the Bible to him, prayed with him, and witnessed But when he spoke of the fact that two or three of -- Mary married Thomas Dial (her first hus- south as Lafayette, Louisiana, while preaching the Bethel Association, the most influential Bap- to Sandy Creek, Guilford County, North Carolina, aN eVaNGeLiCaL WeSt OF tHe MiSSiSSiPPi riVer to him about Christ. them had already become extinct, his voice failed band was a Johnson) from South Carolina, and the Gospel, immediately after he had crossed the tist Association in the “Carolina Back Country,” at the urging of the Holy Spirit, he said. Three The next morning all of the men were gone and he was compelled to give utterance to his feel- they both were living in Rapides Parish in 1850. mighty Mississippi serving as a messenger from 1794 to 1796. years after Stearns’s arrival and less than seventy “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show very early, except for the man who was sick. ings by his tears; and surely the heart must have -- Joseph Willis, Jr., married Jennie Coker at Main Saluda was declared extinct by 1797, and He told Joseph that the night before he had been hard that could not be melted by the manifes- Bayou Chicot and later moved to Rapides Parish miles from Sandy Creek, Joseph Willis made his you great and mighty things, which you do not tHe FierY FUrNaCe Joseph became a member of the Head of Enoree entrance into the world. know” (Jeremiah 33:3). overheard the men talking about Joseph and that tation of so much affection, for he wept not alone. and settled near Tenmile Creek. Baptist Church. Eighteenth-century historian Morgan Edwards The exact date that Joseph preached in the they had gone ahead to ambush him. He told him Remarkably, no church ever split while Joseph -- Lemuel married Emeline Perkins from Joseph settled at Bayou Chicot, Louisiana, Both of these churches were rooted in the wrote of Stearns, “Stearns’s message was always Louisiana Territory west of the Mississippi River about another road to take, and Joseph’s life was was its pastor. Tenmile Creek and settled near Glenmora in between 1800 and 1805, just a year before the Mis- Separate Baptists, which sprang from the First the simple Gospel,” which was “easily understood is not known, but what is known is it was almost spared. Baptist historian John T. Christian comments Blanche, Louisiana. The late Dr. Greene Strother, sissippi Baptist Association was organized. Great Awakening, another driving force that even by rude frontiersmen” particularly when three years before April 30, 1803, the date of the Joseph would receive warnings other times, in his book “A History of Baptists of Louisiana” Southern Baptist missionary emeritus to China Though he was a licensed minister, he had not would significantly influence Joseph to carry the the preacher himself felt overwhelmed with the Louisiana Purchase, and in fact even before Oct. too, just in time to avoid harm’s way. (1923), about other difficulties that Baptists faced: and Malaysia, was his grandson. yet been ordained. Gospel of Jesus Christ where no preacher of the importance of his subject. 1, 1800, the date Napoleon secured Louisiana from Paxton said those who loved Joseph called It must steadily be borne in mind that in no -- William married Rhoda Strother on the He respected the authority of the church and Gospel had gone before. Most of the frontier people of North Carolina Spain. him the “Apostle to the Opelousas” and “Father other state of the Union have Baptists been com- “Darbourn” on the upper reaches of the Calca- knew being ordained would be important if he Head of Enoree (known as Reedy River since had never heard such doctrine or observed such There are three facts that confirm the above Willis.” pelled to face such overwhelming odds; and such sieu. was to be effective in banding together with other 1841) was also a member of the Bethel Association. earnest preaching. The Separatists’ great mission- statements. According to family tradition, strong determi- long and sustained opposition... The wonder is not -- Aimuewell married twice and settled believers. Joseph was listed in the Head of Enoree ary zeal caused the spiritual movement to spread First, Joseph sold all his property in South nation and profound faith were his shields. that at first the Baptists made slow progress, but in Leesville. His first wife was Marguerite Therefore, in 1810, Joseph left for Mississippi to chronicles, along with William Thurston, as an at a rapid pace to the other colonies. Carolina in 1799 and is not found there in the 1800 He would often walk great distances to visit that they made any at all. Leuemche, and his second wife was Lucy Foshee. seek ordination. “outstanding member.” It was this same William Stearns and his followers ministered mainly census. and preach to small groups. Many of the descendants of these children His son, Joseph, Jr., later spoke regularly of his Thurston who would buy Joseph’s 600 acres for to the English settlers, and seventeen years after Second, in 1813, historian David Benedict, a He rode logs in order to cross streams or travel tHird aNd FOUrtH WiVeS live in these same areas today. At least eight father’s crossing the Mississippi River at Natchez $1,200 on Aug. 8, 1799 -- after Joseph returned Stearns’s arrival, forty-two churches were estab- contemporary of Joseph, wrote in his book “A downstream. add tO WiLLiS GeNeratiONS generations have lived in the Forest Hill area, and how dangerous it was. Joseph, Jr., said that from a trip to Mississippi in 1798 with Richard lished in and around Sandy Creek. General History of the Baptist Denomination Sometimes he would return home from a including Joseph himself, and Oakdale, Louisiana, his father swam the mighty river riding a mule to Curtis, Jr. Baptist historian David Benedict wrote in 1813, in America and Other Parts of the World,” that mission tour as late as one o’clock in the morning Between 1799 and 1802, Joseph’s second wife probably has more descendants of Joseph than take a shortcut and save time to preach Jesus. It was also here at Head of Enoree that Joseph “As soon as the Separtists [sic] arrived, they built “Joseph Willis… has done much for the cause, and and awaken his wife to prepare clothes so that he Sarah died, and it was at Bayou Chicot that most any other region in the state. September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message 6 Joseph Willis: The story of the first Louisiana Baptist

PiONeer CHUrCH LiFe

After moving to Spring Creek, east of the Calcasieu River near Glenmora, Louisiana, around 1828-1829, Joseph began to establish churches in that area as well. The first he established was Ami- able Baptist Church on Sept. 6, 1828, near Glenmora. Next he organized Oc- cupy Baptist Church in 1833 near Pit- kin. Then he helped constitute Spring Hill Baptist Church in 1841, near Forest Hill, when he was about 83 years old. The Baptist churches of that day did not necessarily meet weekly because preachers would have to travel long distances. Most might have a preacher only once a month or every other month. Discipline was stern, with mem- bers being excluded (fellowship being archived photo withdrawn by the church) for gossip- This historic photo shows Amiable Baptist Church and a group believed to be attending an 1895 associational meeting at the church, which ing, drinking too much, quarreling, is located in Glenmora. Joseph Willis established the church on Sept. 6, 1828. He would go on to establish 20 churches in Louisiana. dancing, using bad language, and in one case at Amiable, for "having abused her mother." Robert Snoddy HOMeCOMiNG iN HeaVeN of his dark skin; and, then his beloved But, the churches were also for- Robert Snoddy was restored to wife Rachel had died. giving if the offender admitted the membership. Four months later, he Joseph Willis died on Sept.14, 1854, He told them that at that point he wrong and promised not to do it again. was once again reported drinking and in Blanche, Louisiana, about three questioned whether God had aban- Repentance along with salvation was once again excluded. miles south of Glenmora. He is buried doned him. emphasized. The Amiable Baptist Church min- in the Occupy Baptist Church cem- Joseph said that he even believed A good example is found in the utes in 1879 declared their position in etery. he must have misunderstood what he Spring Hill Church minutes. no uncertain terms: Twenty years after he began his thought was a calling to preach Jesus in After twice promising not to "par- On motion be it resolved that we as ministry in Louisiana there were only the Louisiana Teritory. At that point he take of ardent spirits" anymore, Robert a church are willing to look over and ten preachers and eight Baptist church- had given up all hope. Snoddy had the fellowship of the forgive the past, and we as a church for es with a membership of 150 in the But, Joseph shared with them that church withdrawn from him on May the time to come allow no more playing entire state. then at the lowest point in his life he 31, 1851. A month later, Snoddy sent or dancing among our church members. On Jan. 18, 1955, just over 100 years had what he described as a personal this letter to the church explaining his If they do, they may expect to be dealt after his death, 250 people, among encounter with Christ. actions: with. them 16 ministers, gathered in freez- In what exact way has not been Dear Brethren, Having been over- The Amiable minutes record that ing weather to unveil a monument in shared with subsequent generations. taken in an error I set down to confess it. one dear member was admonished at his memory at his grave. The Louisiana But it was so powerful an experi- I did use liquor too freely, but did not say a church service for dancing. He then Baptist Association published the fol- ence that for the next 56 years, begin- anything or do anything out of the way. stood in the church aisle, did a jig, and lowing estimate of his work: ning in 1798, he risked his life to share In as much as I do expect to be at the walked out. Before the church began to send mis- Christ, even during the Black Code in conference I send you my thoughts. I did Pastors were usually called to sionaries into destitute regions, he at his Louisiana. promise you that I would refrain from preach by the church for a one-year own expense, and frequently at the risk No other preacher dared to plant using the poison, but I having broken period. of his life, came to these parts, preach- churches in what was known as “No my promise I have therefore rendered In 1857, Amiable voted to give Pas- ing the Gospel of the Redeemer. For fifty Man’s Land.” So dangerous was this myself unworthy of your fellowship tor D. H. Willis $100 "to sustain him years he was instant in season and out area that the Catholic church waited and cannot murmur if you exclude me. for the next twelve months…it being of season, preaching, exhorting, and in- 50 years after Joseph did it to start a I suppose it is no use to tell you that I the amount stated by him." structing regarding not his property, his church there. have been sincerely punished for my In 1833, Joseph became pastor of health or even his life, if he might be the Joseph told Polk and Olive that he crime in as much as I have confessed the Occupy Baptist Church near Pitkin, means of turning sinners to Christ. prayed numerous times asking Christ same to you before, but I make this last Louisiana, presently located next to Louisiana Baptist historian Glen to reappear to him. Although He did request of you for forgiveness, or is your Tenmile Creek, and served the congre- Lee Greene wrote in “House Upon not, Joseph never doubted his calling to forgiveness exhausted towards me. It is gation for about 16 years. A Rock” (1973), "In all the history of preach Christ again. necessary that I say to you that I sorely There he married Elvy Sweat, who Louisiana Baptists it would be difficult, repented for my guilt, but my brethren if was many years younger than him. She if not impossible, to find a man who Randy Willis is the foremost you have in your wisdom supposed that is listed as age 30 in the 1850 census suffered more reverses, who enjoyed expert about the first Louisiana my life brings too much reproach on that and Joseph as 98. But he was actually fewer rewards, or who single-handedly Baptist, Joseph Willis -- and is his most respectful of all causes, exclude me, a mere 92. So, her age may be listed achieved more enduring results for the fourth great-grandson. He is the exclude me, oh exclude me. But I do love wrongly, too. denomination than did Joseph Willis." author of “Destiny,” “Carolinas the cause so well that I will try to be at Joseph’s son Lemuel and others said Wind,” “Twice a Slave,” “Three the door of the temple of the Lord. Breth- she was not good to him. ePiLOGUe Winds Blowing,” “Louisiana Wind,” ren, whilst you are dealing with me, do As a result of this and Joseph’s fail- “Beckoning Candle,” “The Apostle to it mercifully, prayerfully, and candidly. I ing health Lemuel and two men got In the 1850’s Joseph Willis told his the Opelousas,” “The Story of Joseph was presented by a beloved brother with him and took him to Lemuel’s home in grandchildren Polk and Olive Willis Willis,” and many magazine and a temperance pledge to which I replied I Blanche, Louisiana, where he lived the that after the death of his wife Rachel newspaper articles. would think about it, but if I could have remainder of his life. Bradford Willis (during childbirth) he obtained enough of my heart’s blood to On a bed in an ox wagon used for gave up his calling to preach. A native of Longleaf, Louisiana, fill my pen to write my name I would an ambulance, he sang as the wagon He was 45 years old and alone with he can be reached at his home P.O. have done it. It is my determination rolled along to Lemuel’s home, and four small children; his Uncle Dan- Box 111, Wimberly, Texas, 78676 to join it yet – and never taste another even witnessed to the two men while iel Willis had taken him to court to or via [email protected] or drop of the deathly cup whilst I live, at lying in the back of the wagon. He deprive him of his inheritance because 512.565.0161. For more information the peril of my life. Nothing more, but preached to his last breath. he was half-Indian; his own denomina- about him, visit threewindsblowing. I request your prayers, dear brethren – tion had refused to ordain him because com. September 26, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message Joseph Willis: The story of the first Louisiana Baptist 7 A ‘Joseph Willis’ Gospel message for you By Will Hall Don’t wait—come! righteous, no, not one.” There are no prescriptive or Message Executive Editor (Romans 3:10) mandated words. Praying is just LOOK Comparing yourself to talking to the Lord. ALEXANDRIA -- Joseph others will not work either, But, if these words are how Willis preached with passion the “Look to Me, and be “for all have sinned and fall you feel in your heart, then pray: Good News that “Jesus saves!” saved, All you ends of the short of the glory of God.” “Lord Jesus, He believed salvation must earth! For I am God, and (Romans 3:23) I come to You in prayer, to involve a heartfelt choice to there is no other.” (Isaiah Doing your best cannot confess I am a sinner and to ask accept the gift the Holy Spirit 45:22) save you, for the Scriptures you to forgive my sins. offers each woman and man. “All you ends of the record, “But we are all like I confess with my mouth and A great example of what is earth” includes the Aborig- an unclean thing. And all believe with my heart that You are meant by a heartfelt choice was inal people of the Central our righteousnesses are like God’s Son, and that You died on demonstrated in 1829, when a Australian desert. filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6) the cross at Calvary that I might man named George Wilson was “All you ends of the You can’t be good be forgiven, and that You rose found guilty of six charges and earth” are those in darkest enough, nor can I. That’s from the grave. given the death sentence. Africa. why Jesus had to die for you I turn from my life of sin and Wilson had influential “All you ends of the Author Randy Willis, the fourth great grandson and me, and for the whole surrender to You all the rest of the friends who petitioned President earth” are the isolated of Joseph Willis, the first Louisiana Baptist. world from the beginning days of my life. I will trust and Andrew Jackson for a pardon. tribes in the Amazon rain- to the end. follow you as my Lord and Savior. Jackson granted the pardon, and forest in Brazil. The third cross prepared for Come—come just as you In Your name, I pray. Amen!” it was brought to the prison and “All you ends of the earth” that day actually was meant for are. Say yes to Jesus today! The most famous words ever given to Wilson. are presidents, world leaders, another criminal named Barab- There’s a Scripture passage spoken are: To everyone’s surprise, Wil- and kings, wherever they rule. bas, and he represents us. that I love, and it explains things “For God so loved the world son said, “I am going to hang.” “All you ends of the earth” Think about that: Jesus was very simply. that He gave His only begotten No one had ever refused a refers to the polished lawyer, the crucified on a cross meant for It says, “If thou shalt confess Son, that whosoever believes in pardon before, so the courts did gifted doctor, and the brilliant Barabbas. with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, Him should not perish but have not know what to do. college professor. In reality, it was your cross, and shalt believe in thine heart everlasting life” (John 3:16). The case went all the way to “All you ends of the earth” too, and mine. that God hath raised him from “Whosoever” is you … is me the Supreme Court, and Chief is the prostitute, and the drug Jesus bore your cross and my the dead, thou shalt be saved. … is everyone. Justice John Marshall gave the dealer, and the rapist, and the cross. He took our place on that For with the heart man be- Come to Jesus. Look to Jesus. ruling, saying, “A pardon is thief, and the murderer. cross -- the just for the unjust; lieveth unto righteousness; and Choose Jesus. Today! a piece of paper, the value of “All you ends of the earth” is the Righteous for the unrigh- with the mouth confession is Randy Willis is a fourth which depends upon the accep- you…and me. teous; and the sinless Lamb of made unto salvation.” (Romans great-grandson of the first tance by the person implicated. God’s Word states, “So Mo- God for the sinner. 10:9-10) Louisiana Baptist, Joseph Wil- If he does not accept the pardon, ses made a bronze serpent, and Self-improvement will not You can settle this question lis. He is a native of Longleaf, then he must be executed.” put it on a pole; and so it was, qualify you for salvation, for right now by saying “yes” to Louisiana, but now lives in God loves you and, yes, He if a serpent had bitten anyone, God’s Word says, “There is none Jesus. Wimberley, Texas. has provided a pardon for you when he looked at the bronze and me, paid for with Christ’s serpent, he lived” (Numbers own life-blood, but you have the 21:9). right to refuse the pardon. Those who looked up at it Jesus was crucified between lived. They were healed and two thieves. One said “yes” to made whole. Jesus, but the other said “no” to Those who looked up at it Him. One accepted the pardon, were saved. They did not wait and the other refused it. until they were better people. The question to you and me They just looked up. today is the same as it was 2,000 Jesus tells us that this is a years ago. picture of Him being lifted up on Which thief on the cross are the cross: “And as Moses lifted you? up the serpent in the wilderness, You have the same choice. even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes COMe in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15) The last invitation in the That serpent represented Word of God is found in Revela- the sin of the people. Christ was tion 22:17: “And the Spirit and made sin for us. the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let Will you look to Jesus—will him who hears say, ‘Come!’ you put your trust in Him—the And let him who thirsts come. One who died for your sins. Will Whoever desires, let him take you put your faith in Jesus—the the water of life freely.” One who shed His life-blood for Are you thirsty? Then come. you…and for me? “Let him who hears come. And, whosoever will, come”: CHOOSe That invitation is to you…it is to me…it is to everyone! Bring your Remember that two thieves disappointments; bring your fail- on a cross faced the same ques- ures; bring your fears; and, bring tion. your heartaches. One rejected Him. But the The Holy Spirit says, “Come other placed his faith in Jesus, to Jesus.” He loves you. He wants asking, “Remember me when to save you. He will save you. You enter Your kingdom.” Jesus Come to Jesus, and drink the assured him, “Today you will water of life freely. be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke He suffered, He bled, and 23:42-43) He died because He loves you. Both of thieves were guilty, Listen to the still small voice, of but only one put his trust in the Holy Spirit, bidding you to Christ. come to Jesus. Again, which thief are you? September 26,, 2019 l www.baptistmessage.com l Louisiana Baptist Message