“So he went and BAPTIST did according unto TO REPORT A NEWS ITEM the word of the OR BUY AN AD Lord . ” CALL 800.376.7728 OR 318.442.7728 – 1 Kings 17:5 (NIV) MessageNewsjournal for Louisiana Baptists Helping Louisiana Baptists impact the world for Christ Volume 133 l Issue No. 5 www.baptistmessage.com March 8, 2018 LEXANDRIA (LBM) — Billy Graham touched the world with the Gospel message for nearly 67 years after he was ordained in 1939. A But he left a special imprint on Louisiana from almost the very start of his Billy Graham Evangelis- tic Association in 1950 through the first decade of the 21st century: leading crusades in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and, at Louisiana College in Pineville; com- forting victims after Hurricane Katrina; and, paying for the construction of two chapels at Angola prison. Meanwhile, Louisiana Baptists are engaging with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in a project to extend his impact in the state for years to come. EARLY DAYS IN LOUISIANA In 1951, Graham conducted two evangelistic events in the state: April 8-29 in Shreveport, taking one day, April 25, to speak in Pineville at Louisiana College. In anticipation of the Shreveport campaign, M.E. Dodd, pastor emeritus of the First Baptist Church in Shreveport and a past president of the Southern Baptist Convention, wrote in See LEGACY on 8 Jonesboro man celebrates being new Christian, Louisiana Baptist By Brian Blackwell year later by being baptized by Message Staff Writer Michael Brakefield, pastor of the Hope Chapel in Jonesboro. JONESBORO (LBM) – Paul Brakefield spent the year Wilkerson was enjoying high teaching Wilkerson, but Wilk- times from his worldly living un- erson’s delay in being baptized til early 2016 when he lost nearly wasn’t a factor of discipleship, everything he valued. but to wait until the church be- Burdened with heartache, came an official member of the he began seeking hope, which Louisiana Baptist Convention in he found in Jesus Christ shortly early 2017. Submitted photo after. “I grew up in the presence of Hope Chapel Pastor Michael Brakefield baptizes Timothy Runyon Wilkerson celebrated his the Lord as a kid in church but I transformed heart and life a outside a home in Jonesboro Sept. 26, 2017. See CELEBRATES on 5 2 Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Children’s Home trustees celebrate ministry successes By Brian Blackwell pus. “In our recent meeting, Message Staff Writer we celebrated the fact that over 3,600 children and others MONROE (LBM) — experienced God’s love and Trustees of the Louisiana care through the ministries Baptist Convention board of the Children’s Home in for the Children’s Home and 2017.” Family Ministries recently celebrated great news about HAITI PARTNERSHIP ministry initiatives at home and abroad. Through its Reach Haiti Overseas, 100 new be- Partnership with the Louisi- lievers came to know Christ ana Baptist Convention, Haiti in Haiti during two mission Baptist Convention and 30 trips coordinated by CHFM in LBC churches, the Children’s 2017. Home has taken mission At home, construction teams on multiple trips to soon will begin on a second Haiti since 2012, moving to- cottage designed to provide ward fulfi llment of the vision transitional living for women to build a children’s village, and their children as they pre- provide clean drinking water LBCH photo pare to live independently. to residents of the community Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home trustees Clovis Sturdivant and Lana Rhinehart were part of a team that par- “Our trustees have a great and establish a pastor training ticipated in a mission trip to Haiti in October. The team conducted Vacation Bible Schools, medical and dental passion for the work,” CHFM center for planting churches. clinics, constructed desks and tables for a church school, and visited the site of the new children’s village. president and CEO Perry Hancock said more than Hancock told the Baptist Mes- 100 professions of faith were sage after the Feb. 23 meeting recorded in 2017 during two Two trips are planned in the 2010 earthquake that distributions, evangelism, at the ministry’s Monroe cam- separate mission trips to Haiti. 2018: June 2-8; October 13- killed more than 250,000 children’s Bible clubs and 19. people and left hundreds of Vacation Bible School. “The need in Haiti is thousands homeless. Louisi- In the intervening years, a signifi cant which means that ana Baptists were among the vision developed for a perma- opportunities for ministry fi rst to provide disaster relief, nent presence there through abound,” Hancock said. “The and since then have main- a “Louisiana Reach Haiti” goal of our work in Haiti is tained a ministry presence initiative. to raise a generation of young through mission trips that Louisiana Baptists ac- people who will reach their includes construction projects, quired land in September country for Christ.” pastor training, medical clin- Haiti was devastated by ics, food, water and clothing See LBCH on 12 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 the Louisiana Louisiana Baptist Message Baptist Message. Periodicals postage paid in represent legitimate companies and offerings. However, one should always STAFF at 800-376-7728 or 318-442-7728 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 the Message [email protected] Managing Editor Advertising Director Staff Writer PO Box 311 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to at 800.376.7728. 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, David Cranford, Published biweekly Thursdays by the Louisiana Baptist Message, 1250 MacArthur Drive, Bobby Daniels, Wayne Dubose, Mike Canady Jacob Crawford, Alexandria, Louisiana 71303. Lonnie Gothrup, Bill Inman, Robert Spicer, Darris Waren © Copyright 2018 Baptist Message. All rights reserved Volume 133 March 8, 2018 Number 5 MARCH 8, 2018 l WWW.BAPTISTMESSAGE.COM l LOUISIANA BAPTIST MESSAGE Louisiana College 3 Richard Blackaby heads LC’s God in the Workplace God in the Workplace conference Martin Performing Arts Center By N M place is just an extension of my relationship with Jesus. Louisiana College March 19 @ 6 pm LCNews It’s not necessarily forced PINEVILLE (LCNews) – or intentional, it’s just being Louisiana College will host who I am in Him and it fl ows a “God in the Workplace” over to what I do,” Draughon conference March 19-20 led said. by Richard Blackaby. The “With God removed from Featuring Keynote Speakers March 19 session will be in our society in so many ways, the Martin Performing Arts it is with great pleasure I get Center at 6 p.m., and is free to speak about what God has Dr. Richard Blackaby is president of Blackaby and open to the public. done in my life and in our Ministries. He travels internationally, speaking on business. Christ is a part of Additional keynoters spiritual leadership in the home, church, and include Doug Hunter of Doug every meeting, every deci- Hunter, LLC, and two local sion, and I am convinced marketplace, as well as on spiritual awakening, businessmen: Dallas Hix- Christ has blessed us,” experiencing God, and the Christian life. He also son of Hixson Automotive Hixson said. “I am looking ministers to Christian CEOs as well as church and Group and Jeff Draughon forward to sharing my experi- of Draughon and Bollinger, ences with others in hopes family leaders. richardblackaby.com LLC. they will invite Christ into Son of Henry Blackaby - their business.” author of “Experiencing God” “Remembering that while - Richard is noted internation- Billy Graham was with us, ally for his books, blog, and he foresaw that the next great conferences on several facets move of God would be in the Mr. Dallas Hixson is a deacon at Calvary Baptist of the Christian life that marketplace. Now is the best Church and member for 23 years. He is owner- include the intersection of a time to move ahead and fulfi ll partner of The Hixson Automotive Group, Board Christian’s faith and occupa- that vision,” Hunter said. The tion. “largest unreached people Chairman for Christus Health Louisiana, was Chair “When Jesus called the group” are at work from 9 to of the Alexandria Christus Board, on the board of 12 disciples, many of them 5, Hunter added, and that’s the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce the owned and operated busi- where “God’s ambassadors nesses as tradesmen and com- are already well-placed to past 11 years, and is a 10-year member of Rotary mercial fi shermen,” said Rick introduce others to Jesus Alexandria Downtown. Brewer, president of Louisi- Christ.” ana College. “And Jesus is Concepts highlighting the still calling business people conference will acknowl- to follow him as disciples re- edge that God is the owner gardless of their occupation.” of everything, including a Brewer said the confer- Christian’s business, and Mr. Jeff Draughon is partner/co-founder of Upton, ence will “help everyone that “Christians are called Draughon & Bollinger, LLC.; a member/deacon at from the receptionist to the to be stewards of what is Calvary Baptist Church; member, Central Louisiana CEO learn how best to ac- entrusted to them by God,” complish God’s will at work.