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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

FBC Baton Rouge to celebrate 150th anniversary

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, has a series of scheduled events to coincide with a 150th anniversary that will give members a chance to remember their storied past as well as look to a hopeful future. “First Baptist Church Baton Rouge has stood as a beacon of faith, hope and love for a century and a half,” FBCBR Music Minister Christian Vige told the Baptist Message. “This milestone is not just a marker of time, but a celebration of countless lives transformed, hearts touched and communities served. It’s a time to reflect on the rich history of the church, honoring those who laid the foundation of faith and those who have continued to build upon it. “The sesquicentennial anniversary provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the church's journey and renew our commitment to the mission and vision that God has placed before us for the future,” he added. “As we look back on the past 150 years, we are reminded of the countless ways God has worked through our church to spread His love and message.” EVENTS The church will kick off its anniversary with “Stars, Stripes and Sounds: A Patriotic Musical Celebration” July 4 at 7 p.m. The event will … [Read more...]

SBC HIGHLIGHTS: Southern Baptists conduct business, enjoy fellowship, share the Gospel

By Baptist Message staff INDIANAPOLIS (LBM) – Here are the highlights from the 2024 SBC Annual Meeting, June 10-12. Law Amendment (ban on women pastors) Messengers cast 5,099 ballots in favor (61.45 percent) of the Law Amendment and 3,999 against (38.38 percent). However, the majority fell short of the two-thirds (66.67 percent) threshold needed to amend the SBC Constitution. Last year, in New Orleans, 80 percent of messengers approved the measure to ban women pastors. However, failing in 2024 means the issue is dead for now because any constitutional amendment needs to be passed by the supermajority of messengers in two consecutive annual meetings. Disfellowshipped (legacy Virginia congregation) Nearly 92 percent (6,750) of ballots sustained the Credentials Committee’s recommendation to oust the historic First Baptist Church, Alexandria, Virginia. The congregation, which has a female pastor on staff, was found not to “closely identify” with the SBC. The move comes a year after messengers, during the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting, disfellowshipped three churches who were found to be “not in friendly cooperation” with the SBC: Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California (three ordained women pastors), Fern Creek … [Read more...]

Crossover yields 185 decisions for Christ

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer INDIANAPOLIS (LBM) – A variety of evangelistic efforts preceding the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting produced saving knowledge of Jesus in 185 new believers. According to the North American Mission Board, 44 churches in the Indianapolis area participated in Crossover, which took place June 3-8 in the city. The events had 1,469 volunteers who shared the Gospel with 5,393 people. Throughout the weekend, efforts included block parties, door-to-door witnessing, compassion projects and more evangelistic events. Sixty-five students and professors from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary participated in evangelism classes each morning and in the afternoon shared the Gospel door-to-door around the city. NOBTS had the largest group, with 20 NOBTS and Leavell College students and evangelism professors Preston Nix and Jeff Farmer. By the end of the week, NOBTS team knocked on 1,756 doors and had 227 Gospel conversations that resulted in 33 decisions to follow Christ. “Several of our students led their very first person to faith in … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention baptisms soar 31 percent

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Recently released information that updated the Annual Church Profile database for 2023 shows that the number of baptisms performed by Louisiana Baptist congregations jumped to 8,770 in 2023, a surge of 2,020 more baptisms, or 31.1 percent above the numbers for 2022. This growth nearly doubles the 1,060 additional baptisms reported in 2022 (6,690), which was an 18.8 percent rise above 2021 (5,630). The Southern Baptist Convention also reported increases for both years, almost 26 percent in 2023 and about 16 percent in 2022. The soaring LBC numbers coincide with what has been described as a “rebound” from the COVID pandemic in 2020, but also occur with the launch of a soul winning emphasis by Louisiana Baptists that was announced preceding the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting, which was held in New Orleans. In May 2023, LBC Executive Director Steve Horn shared with LBC Executive Board mem­bers his desire to restore a “culture of evangelism” among Louisiana Baptists. His vision accompanied the announcement of Send Network Louisiana, a church planting partner­ship (launched in August 2023) with the SBC North American Mission Board that includes a God-sized … [Read more...]

‘Crescent City Worship’ releases live worship album

By Timothy Cockes, NOBTS News NEW ORLEANS (NOBTS) - “Crescent City Worship”, a newly-named collection of students, staff and friends of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) and Leavell College, has released their first ever album featuring Dove award-winning vocalist Meredith Andrews. The seven-track album, recorded live at the 2024 Abide Women’s Conference this past February, was released June 7 and is available now on all major music streaming platforms. The Abide Women's Conference, held Feb. 23-24 at NOBTS and Leavell College, challenged more than 1200 women to embrace a calling to be “Women of Prayer.” “Upon accepting my position here, Dr. Dew asked if I would work on an album project as soon as I got here,” said Nate Jernigan, associate professor of music and worship for NOBTS and Leavell College. “A year and a half in, this is the culmination of that first attempt.” Jernigan explained this collection of students, staff and friends of NOBTS has been leading worship in various settings at the school and around the country without any formal designation up to this point.  This collection of around 20 or so musicians will now be known as Crescent City Worship, named after the nickname of the city of … [Read more...]

Conversations with 2024 SBC presidential candidates

Leading up to the 2024 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Paul Watts interviewed the six individuals have been announced as intended nominees for SBC president. Watts is pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Ruston. David Allen           ------------------- Bruce Frank             ------------------- Mike Keahbone             ------------------- Jared Moore           ------------------- Clint Pressley           ------------------- Dan Spencer … [Read more...]

Louisiana Christian seeking next president of the university

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University has announced its search for the 10th president of the nearly 120-year-old institution, according to Tommy Kiker, who serves on the university’s Board of Trustees and as presidential search committee chair. “As we begin this process, the committee and I covet your prayers and we need and ask for your input in the process,” said Kiker, lead pastor of East Leesville Baptist Church. “We are accepting applications and recommendations, but will spend most of the summer praying, receiving input from faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the school, and developing a desired profile.” The presidential search committee members include four trustees and two LCU faculty members. The members were voted on and approved by the full board at its spring board meeting. The committee requests alumni, community members and all interested parties to offer input through a survey tool developed by LCU’s research department. The survey tool can be accessed here. The search committee welcomes applications and recommendations to the following email address: psc@lcuniversity.edu. David Jeffreys has been serving as LCU’s acting president since the … [Read more...]