“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and BAPTIST TO REPORT A NEWS ITEM sharper than any OR BUY AN AD two-edged sword ...” CALL 800.376.7728 OR 318.442.7728 – Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) MessageNewsjournal for Louisiana Baptists Helping Louisiana Baptists impact the world for Christ Volume 132 l Issue No. 19 www.baptistmessage.com September 28, 2017 Genesis Church offers family new beginning By Brian Blackwell Message Staff Writer DENHAM SPRINGS – Courtney Miley did not imagine she would ever enter the worship center of Genesis Church when she first met Pastor Jeff Smith while he was reaching out to families at the community soccer com- plex in 2014. Steve Ramsey (left), pastor of She and her husband, Shaun, were Grace Community Church in Car- believers, but had lapsed in their fellow- lyss, shares a smile with Rick Ed- ship with the body of Christ. wards, pastor of Magnolia Baptist However, God providentially used Church in Vinton. Ramsey was the historic 1,000-year flood of August among the many volunteers who 2016 to draw her and him back to Him helped restore Edwards ‘ home. through her involvement with disaster relief efforts at the church plant. Moreover, their repentance and obe- Isolated by dience resulted in a special gift neither expected. In August of this year, they witnessed the baptism of their four children, all Harvey, but who accepted Christ within a four-month period leading up to the special worship service. never alone The Miley children were among 17 converts baptized that day from among By Brian Blackwell 87 people who attended, both high Message Staff Writer marks during one service for the church plant. MOSS BLUFF – A Loui- “It was very surreal to see each of siana Baptist pastor is thank- them baptized in a place that we have ing Southern Baptist Disaster Submitted photo worked so hard in the past year and seen Relief teams for helping to so much change,” Courtney Miley told restore his house after two Jeff Smith (top center) embraces four members of the Miley family after their baptism at Genesis Church in Denham Springs. The Miley’s were among 17 people baptized that day from among 87 the Baptist Message. “For us, it was feet of water damaged his like God was confirming to us of His Moss Bluff home as a result people who attended, both high marks for the church during the one service. A focus on community outreach has helped the church grow even in times of hardship, including last year’s historic flood. See ISOLATED on 5 See BEGINNING on 6 NOBTS Adrian Rogers center lifts expository preaching By Marilyn Stewart In partnership with the late NOBTS Communications Adrian Rogers’ proclamation ministry Love Worth Find- NEW ORLEANS (LBM) ing, the NOBTS center will – With a commitment to provide resources and present helping a new generation of conferences and lectureships preachers and pastors in the to encourage and equip stu- Boyd Guy photo pulpit, the Adrian Rogers dents and pastors. Center for Expository Preach- Cary Vaughn, right, CEO of the Love Worth Finding radio ministry that airs The center’s inaugural the late Adrian Rogers’sermons , talks with New Orleans Baptist Theologi- ing at New Orleans Baptist “Empowering the Pulpit” Theological Seminary was cal Seminary President Chuck Kelley, center, and Leavell College profes- preaching conference, Jan. sor Jeff Farmer after the dedication service for the Adrian Rogers Center dedicated in a Sept. 12 chapel for Expository Preaching Sept. 12. service. See PREACHING on 14 2 Louisiana College Louisiana College conference has religious liberty focus By N M liberty, Baylor said, “In the not-so-distant past, religious LC News freedom enjoyed greater PINEVILLE - Louisiana support across the political, College’s second annual ideological, and religious Values and Ethics Series ad- spectrums. But changing soci- dresses “Religious Liberty: etal attitudes about marriage, A National Treasure” and sexual morality, and gender features four signifi cant key- have translated in efforts to noters. coerce dissenters from the The event includes Warren Gregory S. Baylor Warren Cole Smith Gerald R. Long Becket Gremmels new orthodoxy to violate their Cole Smith, vice president, consciences. Colson Center for Chris- ligious Schools at the Alli- Gremmels, System Direc- The Oct. 9 session begins “These confl icts have di- tian Worldview; Gregory ance Defending Freedom; tor of Ethics for St. Francis at 6 p.m. in LC’s Martin minished the religious liberty S. Baylor, Senior Counsel, Louisiana Senator Gerald R. CHRISTUS Cabrini Health Performing Arts Center, and ‘brand’ in many sectors of Director of Center for Re- Long, District 31; and Becket System. is sponsored by St. Francis society,” he added. CHRISTUS Cabrini Health Though the event’s title System. notes religious liberty as a “Louisiana College joins “national treasure,” Smith the Church community in states: “Christians should also engaging the cultural issues be concerned about religious of our day, and I am grateful liberty around the world. for such evangelical leaders “Religious liberty is not who will inform and inspire just for Americans. The Dec- us just as we were last year laration of Independence says at our conference that drew plainly that some rights are not more than 300 people,” said granted by government, but by LC President Rick Brewer. God,” Baylor continued. “The Brewer noted his “deep government has no authority appreciation” for the spon- to grant or withhold that right, sorship by the St. Francis but it does have the duty to CHRISTUS Cabrini Health secure and protect that right.” System. “For two years run- Brewer urges all who are ning, Cabrini has been a stra- concerned about the future of tegic partner, tangibly sup- religious liberty to attend the porting our mutual concerns conference because “all other and convictions about issues freedoms we enjoy rest upon affecting our society.” religious freedom. Without Commenting on the religious liberty, no other importance of religious forms of liberty are possible.” 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 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 theMessage [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 Baptist Message (USPS 042-860) (ISSN 0740-2104) Board of Trustees: partners with: Published biweekly Thursdays by the Louisiana Baptist Message, 1250 MacArthur Drive, Steve Arledge, Craig Beeman, Jack Bell, Wayne Dubose, Alexandria, Louisiana 71303. Mike Canady Sarah Clancy, Jacob Crawford, Lonnie Gothrup, © Copyright 2017 Baptist Message. All rights reserved Tim Hisaw, Bill Inman, Robert Spicer, Darris Waren Volume 132 September 28, 2017 Number 19 September 28, 2017 l www.baptistmessage.com l LOUISIANA BAPTIST MESSAGE LBC News 3 E4 Conference emphasizes expositional preaching By Brian Blackwell In another message, Smith power our pastors to preach Baptist Church in Orlando, Baptist Message that the E4 Message Staff Writer encouraged pastors not to fix- expositional sermons.” Fla. Conference, now in its ninth ate on the style of preaching Past speakers have includ- The conference also fea- year, began with a desire to PINEVILLE – In a world or the right topic, but, instead, ed Steve Gaines, SBC presi- tured music by the Voices of sharpen and encourage pas- that is increasingly evil with to allow Scripture to guide dent and pastor of Bellevue LC and breakout sessions led tors. each passing day, Steven them. Baptist Church in Cordova, by professors from Louisiana “It’s always good to build Smith believes Christians “We don’t have to explain Tenn., Don Wilton, pastor of College, New Orleans Baptist relationships and equip pas- must be on their knees, pray- God to anyone,” Smith said. First Baptist Church in Spar- Theological Seminary and tors with some great mes- ing with boldness and persis- “Just get people to Jesus, who tanburg, SC; Fred Lowery, Southwestern Baptist Theo- sages,” said Holloway, pastor tence. gets them to the Father. pastor emeritus of First Bap- logical Seminary. of First Baptist Church in Pin- “Prayer is asking that “The Father and Jesus tist Church in Bossier City; Conference organizer God’s goodness would be are invisible,” he continued. and David Uth, pastor of First Stewart Holloway told the See E4 on 9 directed toward us until His “How do we get people to see will is made clear to us,” said the invisible Christ who leads Smith, pastor of Immanuel them to the invisible Father? Protection for Your Church Baptist Church in Little Rock, Through the Word! Ark., during the E4 Preaching “Is the way I am doing Conference Sept. 19. what I am doing leading Smith said Christ pre- people to the Word or away sented a template of how to from the Word?” he asked. pray in Luke 11:1-13, with an “To lead people to the Word emphasis on the Holy Spirit.