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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

LCU football, now 8-1, dominates Texas College

By Staff TYLER, Texas – The Louisiana Christian University football team improved to 8-1 on the season with a 69-6 win against Texas College, Oct. 24. Ranked in two polls at No. 12 and 14 (Victory Sports Network, NAIA Coaches), the Wildcats’ offense totaled 435 yards that averaged 7.1 yards per play. According to LCU Sports Information, LCU scored five touchdowns on the ground and another four through the air. Running back Datlan Cunningham ran for 108 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns. Matthew Cates threw 5-of-16 passes for 96 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, while Phillip Jones went 5-of-8 for 66 yards and a touchdown in the air. Meanwhile, LCU’s defense allowed just 181 total yards and no offensive points. They also recorded five sacks, nine tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries while limiting Texas College to three conversions on 18 third downs. Linebacker Jordan Oglesby had five solo tackles while linebacker Trac McHugh and defensive end Jermarian Jackson each had four tackles. On special teams, kicker Preston Baker made nine of 10 extra point attempts and averages\d 48.3 yards on three punts that all landed inside the 20-yard line. LCU improved to 6-0 in the Sooner Athletic … [Read more...]

Pastors Conference: Fulfill your ministry

By Baptist Message staff LAKE CHARLES, La. (LBM) – Organizers of this year’s Louisiana Baptist Pastors Conference, scheduled for Nov. 9, hope to encourage pastors to continue to push hard in their calls to serve. The conference will be hosted by Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles, with the theme, “Fulfill Your Ministry,” based on 2 Timothy 4:1-8. “This is an encouragement and reminder of what our ministry is about as pastors,” Pastors Conference President Joey Smith, pastor with Grayson Baptist Church, told the Baptist Message. “Each preacher was chosen for their assigned topic because of the example they have set and the encouragement they can give in those areas of pastoral ministry.” The program will begin, 10 a.m., with music led by Blake Davis, worship pastor with North Monroe Baptist Church. Sharing messages will be Ken Whitten, national director of pastoral leadership, North American Mission Board, Alpharetta, Georgia (evangelism); and Matthew McKellar, professor of preaching with Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas (preaching the Word). After lunch, the conference will continue, 1 p.m., with an afternoon session featuring messages by Garrison Griffith, pastor with First Baptist … [Read more...]

Jones to be renominated for LBC president

By Baptist Message staff PRAIRIEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Kirk Jones, pastor with Fellowship Church, Prairieville, will be nom­inated to serve a second term as president with the Louisiana Baptist Conven­tion. Gil Arthur, pastor with First Baptist Church, Choudrant, shared with the Baptist Message, Sept. 30, his intention to make the nomination during the 2026 annual meeting of Louisiana Baptist messen­gers. The yearly gathering of Louisiana Baptists will be hosted by Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles, Nov. 10. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT Arthur commended Jones’ character during the 35 years he has known him, including when Jones was a student attending Cook Baptist Church, Ruston. Jones surrendered to the ministry and was licensed to preach while Arthur was pastor there. “It’s always hard to know what someone will do when they grow up, but even as a student he was active in our church,” Arthur told the Baptist Message. “He’s done his job as president and is a man of integrity and great faith who loves the Lord and loves this convention.” BY THE NUMBERS Jones planted Fellow­ship Church in 2001, start­ing with a few people who met in his living room. This year the congregation reported averaging more than 1,500 … [Read more...]

2026 LBC: Messengers to ‘Connect’ in Lake Charles

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Messengers will be chal­lenged with the theme of “Connect” during the 2026 Louisiana Baptist Conven­tion Annual Meeting, hosted by Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles, Nov. 10. “We anticipate having a great Annual Meeting,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “Trin­ity, Lake Charles, is a great venue to host us and they are exciting about having us. We hope people will come for the Pastor’s Con­ference on Monday and stay through the day on Tuesday. Our president, Kirk Jones, has a great vision for this meeting regarding connect­ing every report to an imme­diate action. We are excited to have Dr. Jeff Iorg lead us in Bible Study. I will be sharing a vision that propels us for the next seven years.” Jones, pastor with Fel­lowship Church, Prairieville, echoed the thought, urging Louisiana Baptists to attend. “As Louisiana Baptists gather on November 10, we will continue with our theme to connect,” he said. “Over the last year as the LBC leadership has spent time with the leaders and pastors in our state, the need for connection with one another and with our collective work has risen up as our greatest … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pas­tor, new staff member, a com­munity outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Dustin Davis (wife, Sonni) is the new pastor with First Baptist Church, Pineville, of Lecompte. Terry Shabrono (wife, Charlotte) is the new pastor with Hurricane Creek Baptist Church, Dodson. Deacon LaFollette is the new youth director with First Baptist Church, Many. HOMECOMING/ANNIVERSARY Big Cane Baptist Church, Morrow: 180th Homecoming, Oct. 24-25. A Gospel concert featuring Catahoula Drive will take place at 5 p.m., followed by a fellowship meal on Oct. 24. A celebration service is scheduled at 10:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon and special singing on Oct. 25. Guest speaker: Matt Tullos. Pastor: Benji Richard. Parhams Baptist Church, Parhams: 225th Homecoming, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. First Baptist Church, Pollock: Homecoming, Nov. 8, 10 … [Read more...]

Baptist Message managing editor faces challenges after two spinal surgeries

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – Philip Timothy suffered a broken back after a fall in his home, and now after two spinal surgeries he fac­es paralysis, doctors have advised his family. Timothy, an award-win­ning journalist, has served as managing editor of the Baptist Message since August 2007. He is now a patient of the Neurologi­cal Rehabilitation Center with the Touro Infirmary, a faith-based hospital in New Orleans. His wife, JoAnne, who serves as office manager with the Baptist Message, said he has been mov­ing between the ICU, to treat emerging health conditions, and the reha­bilitation center, which is focused on helping him learn what he will need to know and do when he is sent home. Meanwhile, she said, family and friends are helping her to get their home ready for Philip to return. “We are so thankful for the kindness of others who are fixing ramps and other projects around the house. We have a way to go, but we trust God will provide for every need,” she said. “I am also thankful for every prayer. Philip has many challenges ahead.” Those who wish to share a word of encour­agement with Philip and JoAnne may write to Philip@BaptistMessage.com, or leave a voice message via … [Read more...]