By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The Baptist Message, Louisiana Baptists’ news service, will continue publishing a print edition through December 2026, then begin digital-only operations in January 2027. The transition from a print product has been studied since 2024, according to Will Hall, the Baptist Message executive editor. “I conducted a Nehemiah Walk of our operations as well as looked at other Baptist newspapers around the country to better understand how to move forward with our ministry,” he said, noting that he also looked at generational trends in how individuals prefer to receive their news. “I also looked at various ways to structure a financial model that works for continuing the Baptist Message into the future,” Hall said. Finances are a considerable factor in the decision because the news service expects a $100,000 drop in revenue after 2026. Hall said the shortfall would have forced the Baptist Message to increase subscriptions by at least $5 per customer, adding that “prudence would dictate an increase of up to $10 per subscriber so that we would not be chasing funding all the time.” “I do not, and our trustees do not believe this is a cost our … [Read more...]
LBC Disaster Relief teams to deploy
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams are set to deploy in response to the destructive winter storm that devastated parts of the state over the weekend. LBDR State Director Stan Statham told the Baptist Message that an Incident Management Team will provide support, adding that a feeding team will begin preparing food that the American Red Cross will serve to 80-100 people at the Liller Maddox Marbles Community Center in Monroe. Statham said chainsaw teams have been activated in Louisiana and that he expected other state Baptist convention chainsaw teams will assist in operations that likely will last two to three weeks. He said Louisiana Baptists who are not part of the disaster releief organization can offer prayers for the teams that have been formed and for the victims of the storm. “Pray for safety of those impacted and also for those responding,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “We have had several deaths, so pray that the power gets back home, that the linemen working to restore power are safe and that our volunteers stay healthy and travel with no issues.” Statham said financial resources are needed, too. “Last year taxed us,” he … [Read more...]
LCU welcomes new dean of Young School of Business
By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University has named Marcia Hardy as its new dean of the Young School of Business and Martin MBA program. Hardy is the dean of the Ray and Dorothy Young School of Business. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of California-Los Angeles, specializing in management from the Anderson School of Management and research and evaluation from the Graduate School of Education. Her original research explored the success factors of entrepreneurship. She also received Ph.D. certification from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, studying organizational leadership, strategic management and planning. Hardy holds an M.S. from the University of Missouri, Kansas City and a B.S. from Loyola University in New Orleans, and is certified in Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategies Program from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Additional national certifications of hers are extensive, including in Quality Matters, Google Analytics, and negotiation and leadership from Harvard Law School. She has decades of experience in academia, most recently at Northwestern State University as a tenured full professor in business … [Read more...]
LCU joins Louisiana Baptists on statewide Together Tour
By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLe, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University is joining the Louisiana Baptists on a statewide Together Tour in 2026 to promote commitment and cooperation among churches and other Southern Baptist organizations across Louisiana. “My goal in these meetings is to hear from all concerned,” said Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn. “What can we do better? What are we committed to doing moving forward? What should we be doing that we are not doing? What are we doing that Louisiana Baptists want us to stop doing? Where have we lost trust in this cooperative endeavor to do more together than we can do by ourselves?” Horn said that this is not a plea to give more, but rather an opportunity to listen to all member organizations. “We are listening to what you want to do cooperatively as we think about the next 100 years. At the same time, hear me say, ‘we cannot continue to do what we are doing without addressing the situation.’ “ In 2008, Louisiana Baptists gave $22,650,020 through the Cooperative Program. In 2024, Louisiana Baptists gave just over $17,000,000. “We may not be at a crisis, but we are certainly at a crossroads,” Horn said. LCU President Mark Johnson said he … [Read more...]
Apologetics 101 (Part 1): Evidence proves the Word from the beginning
By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor This is the first installment of a 12-part series about evidence that the Bible is truth. ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – There are two essential truths that undergird all Christian beliefs: you can place your full faith and trust in Jesus and you can place your full faith and trust in His Word. Indeed, the Bible declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” (John 1:1). So, the integrity of the Word and that of the Person of Jesus are inseparable. For those of us who believe, the power and truthfulness of the Word is revealed to us through our personal relationship with the Holy Spirit who was there at the beginning of creation (Genesis 1:1-2), but also is here now to dwell in us; testify to us about Jesus; convict us of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and speak truth to us, glorify Jesus and declare Him to us (John 14:16-18; 15:26-27; 16:7-15). Still, we are called to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,” (1 Peter 3:15). Obviously, the best defense we can give to anyone is the testimony of the Word through our transformed lives (exhibiting hope through Christ in … [Read more...]
The sacred calling of foster care
By Christy Goodwin MONROE, La. (LBM) -- It is no secret that our nation is in the middle of a foster care crisis, and Louisiana is no exception among the 50 states. Today there are approximately 4,300 children and youth in foster care in Louisiana and only 2,100 foster families -- more than twice as many children in need as there are homes for them. Moreover, when the numbers are closely examined, the situation is even worse than it seems. Not all Louisiana foster families are “generally certified,” which means they are able to host any child who enters foster care. Only 1,207 are so qualified. So, the gap between need and availability is staggering, despite the presence of so many Christian homes in our state. I think most Christ-followers can agree that caring for vulnerable children is close to the heart of God. After all, James 1:27 includes orphan care, and implicitly foster care, as an essential element of “pure and undefiled religion.” In fact, a Lifesong for Orphans survey in 2024 found that 31 percent of practicing Christians in the United States have seriously considered fostering. However, the same survey revealed that only 3 percent of practicing Christians are foster parents. How do we bridge … [Read more...]
Churches overcome ice storm via internet, other strategies
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) - Though a winter storm may have prevented some churches from meeting in person Jan. 25, they still pressed forward with online services while others became the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities. Steven Kelly, association mission strategist with Morehouse and Northeast Louisiana Baptist associations, said he is not aware of any of the 71 churches in his two associations who were able to meet Sunday. “Basically, COVID prepared us for today,” Kelly said. “Most churches learned how to adapt when they couldn’t meet them and they just fell back to what they did in 2020. Some recorded a modified service earlier in the week, just in case they needed it. A number of others sought to do it live today. “The problem with going live today was technical issues with Internet and power outages,” he continued. “Some that planned to do this were unable to. No pastor wanted to cancel but I am not aware of any church in our association that met in person. Ouachita Parish was hit hard with significant power outages and trees down. I have never seen an ice storm like this in my lifetime and we served as church planters in Iowa for three winters.” Glenn Harrigill, … [Read more...]
2025: LBC baptisms continue 5-year upward trend
By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Preliminary data for 2025 show that Louisiana Baptists’ baptisms continued to increase for the fifth straight year to 8,737, the largest number since 2018. This unofficial total reflects 76.9 percent of congregations reporting (1,143), 92 fewer than in 2024 (1,235) when 83.4 percent of churches submitted Annual Church Profile surveys. Baptism summary, 2018-2025: 8,737 (2025), 8,415 (2024), 8,331 (2023), 6,686 (2022), 5,634 (2021), 5,616 (2020), 6,951 (2019), 8,840 (2018). Every year there are different variables that influence the data reported via the Annual Church Profile survey, including the number of congregations that provide inputs. During the last seven years, Louisiana Baptists also were impacted by COVID 19 related restrictions on churches, 2020-2022, as well as by four hurricanes that struck the state in 2021. … [Read more...]
LCU to close due to expected winter weather conditions
By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Due to expected winter weather conditions, Louisiana Christian University has decided to cancel classes for Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 26-27. All campus offices will be closed. Hattie B’s will be open on a modified schedule for on-campus students. Officials will monitor weather conditions for Wednesday. Any further closures will be communicated. … [Read more...]
ECON 2026 cancelled due to impending extreme winter conditions
By Baptist Message staff LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist leaders announced Jan. 23 that the 2026 state Evangelism Conference will not take place this year because of meteorological warnings about an approaching ice storm. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency on Jan. 22. “We have made the difficult decision to cancel ECON ’26 scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, January 26-27, at First Baptist Church, Lafayette, due to the forecasted weather,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn said in a statement. “While Lafayette and South Louisiana may not be affected much, ECON is a statewide event. Those coming from Central and North Louisiana are likely to face significant travel impacts. In addition, many of our speakers, musicians, and presenters are facing difficult travel. Furthermore, our Disaster Relief teams are standing by to provide assistance to those affected by power outages. “We are incredibly thankful for the staff and members of First Baptist Church, Lafayette, who have been wonderful partners in preparing for ECON ’26,” he continued. “We are disappointed in our inability to gather this year, but we look forward to sharing details about ECON ’27. “Until then, keep sharing … [Read more...]
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