Publication of Evangeline & Gulf Coast Baptist Associations of the Louisiana Baptist Convention

December 2013-January 2014

ENTRE NOUS
Bert Langley
Director of Missions

Volume 41, No. 11

Elizabeth A. Langley
Office Administrator

Melaney Dudley
Media Specialist/Office Assistant

James Craft & Nathan Rush

Moderators

Mary Langford
Counselor

Evangeline Baptist Association

Connecting Churches Through the Cross

Gulf Coast Baptist Association Bert Langley, Director of Missions

DOM Lines

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:17,18 NIV) When William Gladstone was Prime Minister of Great Britain, he was asked by Queen Victoria, What do you consider to be the worlds most important book? He quickly answered, The Holy Bible. She then asked, And what do you believe to be the most beautiful part of that book? Again he answered quickly, the Christmas story according to Dr. Luke. Many of us can identify with Gladstones answer. Luke tells us the very first people to look into the face of Jesus besides Mary and Joseph were the shepherds. Looking back at Lukes account concerning the birth of Jesus, the shepherds are seen taking care of business as usual. Then God turned the usual into the unusual. A bright light and angels appearing before them intensified the chill of the night air. One can only imagine what must have raced through the shepherds minds at this point. All Luke tells us is that they were terrified (lit, - feared with a great fear). (v9) After the angels had announced the Good News and departed, the shepherds rushed into town to see this event about which they had just heard. Once they had seen the baby Jesus, they spread the word concerning their experience. Someone referred to those shepherds as the first evangelists. And all who heard it were amazed by what the shepherds said. Deedy and I want to wish you and your family a most incredible and enjoyable Christmas as you celebrate HIS birth. Lets follow the example of the shepherds and spread the word concerning Jesus. Be a part of sharing the Good News of great joy that is for all people. For God so loved mankind that HE sent HIS SON JESUS. As we approach 2014, I leave you with this prayer (author unknown). A New Years Prayer May God make your year a happy one! Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain, But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes; Not by making your path easy, But by making you sturdy to travel any path; Not by taking hardships from you, But by taking fear from your heart; Not by granting you unbroken sunshine, But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows; Not by making your life always pleasant, But by showing you when people and their causes need you most, and by making you anxious to be there to help. Gods love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.

Counselors Corner

Mary Langford, Counselor

Dear Jesus, I know your birthday will be here soon, and I just want to be among the first to wish you Happy Birthday! Do you ever think back to that night so long ago when you came into the world the same way all human beings do---small, helpless, hungry? As you grew, were you tempted to disobey Mary and Joseph? Was it burdensome to you to always be the good older brother? How pleased you must have been when your cousin John called you the Lamb of God before baptizing you! Then, led by the Spirit, you spent forty days in the desert using scripture as your weapon against Satans attacks. Following that, you chose twelve unlikely companions and showed them day by day for three years how to pray, heal, witness, teach and live lives that would count for eternity. Too soon the time came for your most important decision. I know you struggled with submitting to the Fathers will. But as always, you showed us the right way, and it has made all the difference for me and millions of others. Amazingly, you came out of the tomb by your own power, assuring us that death has been conquered. Now we wait for your return and the glorious moment when every knee will bow and every tongue confess you as Lord. As your birthday arrives this year, Jesus, I want to be remembering all you have done for me. Please help me not to be distracted by what I should buy or cook, by decorating or parties. Show me how you want me to celebrate your entry into human history. Help me to be aware of the ones you would invite to your party---those who have less, those who are hurting, those who are alone. Let me be generous in places where it might make an eternal difference. I want to gather with others who will be praising you, worshiping you, reading your story. And what can I give you for your birthday? There is nothing that you need, nothing I possess that is good enough. I can only give you myself, affirming again my desire to serve and please you. Please accept my humble gift on your special day and use it as you will each day of the year ahead. Happy Birthday, Jesus---with love, Mary Langford

Evangeline Baptist Association

Connecting Churches Through the Cross

Gulf Coast Baptist Association

Calendar of Events December, 2013 & January, 2014

Evangeline Association
December, 2013

1 - Mike Walker, East Bayou 2 - Heather (Mrs. Jonathan) Moore, Immanuel, MC 7 - Tammilee (Mrs. Steven) Kelly, Bayou Vista, MC 10 - Janice (Mrs. Ed) Downs, First, New Iberia 15 - David Mitchell, First, Youngsville - Lonnie Cleveland, Beau Basin, Henderson 16 - Nick Peters, First, Carencro - Julie (Mrs. Lyndale) Holloway, East Bayou 21 - Rebekah (Mrs. Joe) Garner, Northside 22 - Ron Dubois, First, Lafayette 23 - Ellen (Mrs. Marty) Romero, Friday Night Church - Beau Guidry, First, Milton 27 - Steve Younger, Emmanuel, Lafayette 28 - Jan (Mrs. Mark) Gaudin, First, Youngsville 30 - Marilynn (Mrs. Luther) Burney, First, Lafayette

1-8 6

Week of Prayer for International Missions & Lottie Moon Offering

Pastor/Council/Wives Christmas Fellowship ~ Petroleum Club, 6:30 PM

24 & 25 Christmas Holidays (Office Closed) 31 New Years Eve (Office Closed)
January, 2014

1 1-5 9 14 17 20 20

New Years Day (Office Closed) January Bible Study EBA Missions Development Meeting ~ EBA Office, 10:30 AM EBA Ministers Conference ~ Place TBA, 10:30 AM Cajun Connection ~ EBA Office, 10:00 AM BCM Advisory Meeting ~ , BCM Building, 11:30 AM EBA Council/Executive Board Meeting ~ EBA Office, 11:30 AM

Gulf Coast Association

December, 2013

1-8 2 24-25 31

Week of Prayer for International Missions & Lottie Moon Offering Pastor/Staff/Wives Christmas Fellowship ~ Immanuel, MC, 6:30 PM Christmas Holiday New Years Eve

January, 2014

1 18 25

New Years Day GCA Brotherhood Breakfast ~ Calumet , 8:00 AM GCA Baptist Mens Wild Game Supper ~ TBA, 6:00 PM

1 - Mary (Mrs. Don) Langford, EBA Office/First, Laf 3 - JoAnn (Mrs. Red) Thornton, Retired 8 - Brad Gill, First, Lafayette 12 - Rodney Chitwood, Bridge Fellowship, Breaux Bridge 13 - Robert Burdeaux, Parks 15 - Betty (Mrs. Dan) Dufrene, Retired 19 - Lonnie Budd, Retired 24 - Jamie (Mrs. Chad) Thibodeaux, Vatican 26 - Dore Langley, Retired - Noah Langley, Retired - Toby Ryder, Duson 28 - Wallace Primeaux, Esther 29 - Gale (Mrs. Chili) Graham, Retired

Louisiana Baptist Convention

December, 2013

1-8 7 25 31 1 2-6 9 14 20 23-25 24-25 25 27 27-28 28-31

Week of Prayer for International Missions & Lottie Moon Offering Hymn Playing Festivals ~ Baton Rouge, Ruston, Bapt. Building Christmas Day New Years Eve New Years Day January Bible Study Singing Women Concert ~ Coteau, Houma LA All-State Youth Choir Audition ~ Lafayette & Morgan City Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Conclave ~ Chattanooga, TN Hymn Playing Festivals WMU Missions Camping Workshop ~ Bapt. Building LBCEA Dinner LBC State Evangelism Conference ~ Baton Rouge Disaster Relief Roundtable, SE, Hammond

January, 2014

KEEP IN PRAYER BRO. STEVE HORN & BRO. DAVID DENTON NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT & VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE LOUISIANA BAPTIST CONVENTION.

As we celebrate the coming of the precious Christ child, let us remember the babies that are being rescued through the efforts of A Pregnancy Center and Clinic, one of the ministries supported by the Evangeline Baptist Association. Rejoice that this year 57 babies have been born and 23 people have come to faith in Christ. Below are a couple of testimonies from people touched by the ministry of the center: Carson and Camerons Testimony: In December of 2012, I woke up one morning and felt different. I felt pregnant and I knew this, considering I already had two children. The first thing I did was take a test and the result was positive. I was pregnant-a guy that I barely knew. After speaking to him I decided to go on the internet to see what my options were. I came across a webpage for A Pregnancy Center and Clinic, and I decided to make an appointment just to see what they would say. I told James (the babys father) about my appointment and I was shocked that he said that he would come with me. When James and I arrived at the appointment, I did a pregnancy test and sure enough, the test was positive. Im embarrassed to even admit I considered anything else, but abortion was my option. The Client Advocate took the time to sit and talk with me and help me realize that I had another blessing inside of me: just the same as my other two kids. By the time I was done speaking with her, I somehow felt relieved and excited about this new life growing inside of me. I left with the decision to have my baby. Before we left the clinic, James and I scheduled an ultrasound to see our baby. A week later James and I met at A Pregnancy Center and Clinic to do our first ultrasound and there it was on the ultrasound screen: the biggest shock of my life. The ultrasound revealed I was having twins. I almost passed out. I had finally accepted the fact I was having one baby, but now it was two!!! But once again the Client Advocates at the clinic were so comforting and helpful. If it would not have been for you all at the clinic, I may have considered making a mistake I may have regretted the rest of my life. Now I have four amazing kids and a man I want to spend the rest of my life with (we are engaged!!! ). I can honestly say for the first time, Im truly happy and I have all of you ladies to thank because you all were there when I was lost and confused and had no one at the time when I needed someone the most. Thanks again, LOVE Stacey. Since the time this testimony was written, which was in June of this year, the couple has married! Kaylees Testimony: A Pregnancy Center and Clinic (APCC) is so awesome and is a big help for pregnant females. APCC gave me a good experience, and I am glad I chose them. I would recommend any pregnant girl to come here. The Client Advocate gives you information to help you make the right decision about your pregnancy. I want to thank A Pregnancy Center and Clinic for all of the help and support that was given to me. Sophie This year at the EBA Pastors/Staff/Wives Christmas Fellowship, supplies will be collected for the Pregnancy Center and Clinic. Some of the items needed are: baby wipes; baby wash; infant mittens; diaper rash cream; burp cloths and bibs.