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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

2025 Louisiana legislative wrap-up

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists can celebrate multiple victories on key moral issues and social concerns resulting from measures that were passed or defeated during the 2025 Legislative Regular Session, with two directly impacting churches’ abilities to carry out essential ministries. CHURCH INSURANCE When Gov. Landry signed HB460 into law as Act 461 on June 23, he completed the legislative process for supplemental appropriations that include payment of $2.9 million to the Fellowship of Louisiana Churches and Non-profit Religious Organizations, the corporation that was established in 2023 to launch a church self-insurance program in response to the church insurance crisis in the state. FLCNRO is recognized as a nonprofit by the Louisiana secretary of state and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and its board of directors includes leaders in six state faith communities (Assemblies of God; Church of God in Christ; Home and Foreign Missions Baptist; Louisiana Baptist; Missionary Baptist; United Pentecostal). When the insurance program is launched it will be open to congregations of any Louisiana denomination as well as religious nonprofits. Several Louisiana … [Read more...]

EVANGELISM 101 (Part 7): Reach the world from Louisiana with technology

By Sammy Tippit, Special to the Baptist Message ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Technology has erased borders, and the Great Commission has never been more within the world’s reach. You can sit in your living room on a Tuesday evening and reach 100 people for Christ. The next day, from your home office, you can preach to 30,000 people gathered in a town halfway around the world. It sounds impossible, but these are realities that I have experienced first-hand and taught others to embrace. Yet few are seizing this opportunity. Digital Evangelism is Powerful Fifty years ago, my friend Wade Akins and I came to know each other because of our connections to Louisiana College (Louisiana Christiam University) -- a friendship that would span decades of ministry around the world. More recently, when Wade heard about my "Skype Evangelism" efforts, he called asking, "Can you teach me?" So, during his visit to San Antonio, I showed him how to use his cell phone to connect with the world and share the Gospel. ­ The results were overwhelming. Wade began reaching thousands of people and training others to do the same, including Pastor Truman Herring, another Louisiana native and the first person to ever share the Gospel with me. … [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 Robby (wife Anne) Poole retires as Pastor at Longview Baptist Church, Deville. Mike (Arenda) Schultz is the new pastor at Benton from First Baptist Church Forest Hill. Johnathan Lewis is the new music minister at FBC Blanchard from Bethany Baptist. Leonard (wife Melinda) Nichols is the new pastor at Woodland Hills. Abby Taylor is the new worship leader from ETBU to Trees Baptist Church. Ta’Mya Davis is the new associate director at McNeese BCM. Robbie Cook is the new pastor at Bosco Baptist Church. Rainey Felts is the new Chrildren’s Minister at Cheniere Baptist, West Monroe. HOMECOMING Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Pollock will host homecoming, August 3, 2025, Sunday School at 9:45, Gospel Music concert at 10:45 by The Plainsmen … [Read more...]

Special needs son impacted FBCC special needs ministry

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer COVINGTON, La. (LBM) – Will Robinson was a young man of few words but his impact on those he encountered was immeasurable. Robinson, who died, June 7, at age 24, was born without the ability to speak. Still, his parents refused to let that stop him from living life to its fullest. In turn that mindset led to the creation, two years after his birth, of the “Special Friends Ministry” to individuals with special needs and their families with First Baptist Church, Covington. Glynn Robinson, who serves as missions and evangelism pastor with FBCC, said he and his wife, Melinda, miss their son, but are thankful for the joy he brought to their family and community. “There’s no way to physically account for it, but you just give God the glory because He is always drawing people and used a guy like Will and our family,” Glynn Robinson told the Baptist Message. “We now have to keep honoring that legacy and God will show us a very clear pathway forward.” While the Special Friends Ministry officially began in 2003, the church already ministered to families of children with special needs. When Will was born, the Robinsons, along with a dedicated group of volunteers, were led to … [Read more...]

Donors sought to sponsor pastors for E4+

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – There is an opportunity for individuals, congregations and businesses to bless attendees to the upcoming E4+ Preaching Conference through “I Love Pastors” sponsorships. The conference, set for Sept. 23 in the facilities of First Baptist Church, Pineville, will feature keynote messages by Fred Luter, senior pastor with Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, his wife, Elizabeth, and his son, Chip, who also serves as senior associate pastor with FABC. There also will be breakout sessions for pastors as well as directors of youth, media/sound, music and children ministries, and for ministers’ wives. According to conference organizer Stewart Holloway, the registration fee covers only one-third of conference costs so attendance can be more affordable for pastors. Sponsors are needed to cover the remaining costs, said Holloway, pastor of FBC Pineville. Anyone wishing to sponsor a pastor can give three ways: Online (click HERE); by check via mail (FBC Pineville, 901 Main St., Pineville, LA 71360, include “E4 – I Love Pastors” in the “for” line); or in person at FBCP. … [Read more...]

LBDR on stand by for Texas flood deployment

By Baptist Message staff KERR COUNTY, Texas (LBM) – As the country continued to mourn and pray for those impacted by the July 4th weekend deadly flood in Texas Hill Country, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams were on stand by. LBDR Strategist Stan Statham told the Baptist Message that two shower units were ready if needed. “Pray for the families who have lost loved ones,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “Pray for the first responders who are still searching for those missing.” Nearly a foot of rain caused catastrophic flash flooding on Independence Day morning in Kerr County, engulfing structures and leading to the deaths of at least 80 individuals. Among those were 27 children, counselors and director of Camp Mystic, a private Christian camp situated along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt. The camp released a statement on its website: “Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly. We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from community, first responders, and … [Read more...]

Teen directs Tioga FBC VBS

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer TIOGA, La. (LBM) - While other teenagers may have headed to the beach or theme park at the end of the most recent school year, Andrew O’Neal, 14, chose instead to spend some of his summer directing the Vacation Bible School with Tioga First Baptist Church. Despite being a teenager, O’Neal combined his love for VBS with his personal experiences as the son of a former VBS director to coordinate a fruitful week. In the end, one of the 51 children who attended accepted Christ, with more making other spiritual decisions during the evangelist outreach, June 23-27. “It had been in the back of my mind for several years of doing this,” O’Neal told the Baptist Message. “When we didn’t have anyone to direct VBS, I felt like the time was now, and I took on this opportunity.” O’Neal has served in various volunteer roles as a member of the congregation and enjoyed giving back as VBS director, with coaching from his mom, Claire, who served in that role from 2012-22. “I've really found a place here at the church and love serving,” O’Neal said. “So I feel very comfortable and very fulfilled when I come and work up at the church.” His mother added that she felt comfortable handing … [Read more...]