By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists will have the opportunity to join thousands across the world to share the ultimate gift to children in other countries through Operation Christmas Child. Formed in 1993 by Samaritan’s Purse, OCC allows churches and individuals to bring gift-filled shoeboxes to relay stations across the country that are then processed and shipped to local partners around the world with a means of reaching out to children in their communities with the good news of Jesus Christ. National Collection Week is Nov. 17-24. “These gifts open the door for us to share God’s love and the eternal hope of the Gospel with children and their families who are living in desperation and fear,” Samaritan’s Purse President and CEO Franklin Graham said in a statement. “The world is changing, but the message of the cross doesn’t change—bringing the hope of the Gospel to millions, especially the living hope of Jesus. Our mission never changes.” Louisiana Christian University, in its fifth year of participating in OCC, is among those participating in the effort. The school has been selected by Samaritan’s Purse as a university the organization is sponsoring for the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The “Here for You” multi-media outreach strat­egy continues to see Gospel fruit according to Louisiana Baptist Director of Commu­nications John Kyle. “The seeds scattered through our ‘Here for You’ campaign are begging to sprout,” Kyle said. Launched statewide in 2019, “Here for You” is attempting to impact the estimated 2.85 million people in Louisiana who do not have a relationship with Christ. Using various media platforms including broad­cast television, streaming services and social media, viewers are directed to a website where they can view a Gospel presentation or search for a local church. Through a partnership with the Billy Graham Evangelis­tic Association, the com­munications team receives a monthly report indicating the number of visitors to the Graham-designed land­ing page, along the with the number of views of the Gospel presentation and how many people indicated a decision for Christ. “In late 2024, we worked out a new follow-up process with the Graham organiza­tion where, roughly every six weeks, we receive the names and email address­es of those who provided enough information to fol­low up,“ Kyle said. “We’ve developed a … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Perry Hancock has led the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries through creation of a foster care and adoption network, Compassion Center, ministry for homeless women and their children, a women’s learning center and the minister care residential program during his 22 years as president and CEO. As he reflected on fond memories ahead of his February 2026 retirement, Hancock said he is thankful for the way God has used the LBCHFM to share the hope of Christ with others on campus and beyond. “The years (my wife) Tonya and I have spent at the Children’s Home have been an incredible blessing,” Hancock, who announced his retirement to the Louisiana Baptist entity’s board of trustees on Sept. 25, told the Baptist Message. “This ministry has given us the privilege of living out our calling in very tangible ways by serving children and families in need. We have built friendships and relationships that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. The Children’s Home is now woven into the fabric of our family’s story and for that we are truly grateful.” PATH TO MONROE Hancock has served as leader of the LBCHFM since July 1, 2003. Prior to … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – For 85 years H.L Davis was in church on Sun­days and was surrounded in his home (as a child and adult) by other believers. He even was baptized as a boy in Mississippi, thinking he was saved because of it. But after months of the Holy Spirit pricking his heart during worship ser­vices with Philadelphia Baptist Church Horseshoe Drive, he was convicted that he needed to truly surrender to Christ. So, Sept. 15, 2025, at age 85, he walked forward during a revival service (also, PBCHD) and confessed his sins and pro­fessed his love for Jesus. “I hesitated, thinking I would be the only old person down front with all these young people,” Davis told the Baptist Message. “I had put it off for months, but God kept speaking to me. Finally, when He said it’s time to get up, I stepped out.” FAITH OF OTHERS Davis had a mother who, he said, was saved before he was born. His father regularly attended church but did not con­fess Christ until the age of 45 when he sent for a pastor and professed Jesus as Lord while on his deathbed in a hospital. Davis also met his wife in church after his family had moved to Louisiana. “There were quite a few youths in the … [Read more...]