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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

EVANGELISM 101 (Part 11): Demolishing obstacles to soul winning

By Mike Bergeron, special to the Baptist Message NEW ORLEANS (LBM) -- Some studies indicate that as few as 10 percent of professed Christians share the Gospel regularly, with “regularly” meaning only about one time per month. What is the “brick wall” that seems to stand between many professed Christians and them sharing the Gospel? An informal survey, November 2025, of SBC pastors (small churches to megachurches), along with seminary professors, and associational directors of missions and church planters (across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Missouri) sought their opinions about the top reasons why so many Christians today either never or rarely share the Gospel. Below are their candid responses combined with biblical passages to tear down each brick in the wall. NOTE: Scriptures are from the NKJV translation of the Bible. Not Vibrantly Walking with Christ: Too many Christians seem content to remain spiritually shallow in their own walk. Some feel disqualified to share the Good News because of personal sin in their own lives. 1 Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you; with meekness and … [Read more...]

Former slave girl experiences freedom with ‘Louisiana Reach Haiti’

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer CAP HAITIEN, Haiti (LBM) – Louisiana Reach Haiti ministry leaders recently welcomed a 12-year-old Haitian girl who had been just freed from slavery. The transformation of Esther from a girl held captive to one who now experiences the love and compassion of Christ has been yet another blessing for a ministry that in 2023 had to seek refuge in Cap Haitien after gang-ravaged Port-au-Prince became too dangerous as a homebase. “When I met Esther after she was brought to us by her rescuers, Haiti’s child protective service, she shared about her love for the other children and her new life here,” LRH President Darrin Badon told the Baptist Message. “We’re just loving her and sharing the Lord’s goodness with her. “Our calling is to help any child that we can and ultimately reunite them with family,” he continued. “While reunification won’t happen with Esther, we can show God’s love to her for the many years she will be with us and prepare her, spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally for the future. “I know God has placed her with us because He knows that we love our kids and that we can defend those kids against the evils of the world. Their spiritual health is … [Read more...]

Resist worldly influences

A flock of wild geese was flying south for the winter. One goose looked down and noticed a group of domestic geese by a little pond near a farm. He noticed that the domestic geese had plenty of grain to eat. Life seemed relatively easy for them. So, he flew down and hung out with the geese until spring. He enjoyed their food, their company, and their leisurely pace. … [Read more...]

LBC entities report achievements, plans

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Messengers to the 2025 Louisiana Bap­tist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 11, held in the Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexandria, heard encouraging updates from their four entities. LBCHFM Louisiana Baptist Chil­dren’s Home and Family Ministries President and CEO Perry Hancock expressed gratitude to Louisiana Baptists for their support that has im­pacted more than 12,800 children the last two years alone. He updated messen­gers about the Bridges of Hope residential program (that offers short-term care for foster children transitioning into long-term programs), Wom­en’s Learning Center (that helps women obtain high school equivalen­cy diplomas); Orphans Embrace (reaching Hai­ti through a children’s home in that country); Granberry Counseling Centers; Connect1Child (foster care and adoption ministry); and Home­Place (ministry for home­less women and their children). Hancock made special mention of the Com­passion Center which opened four months ago. He said it has served more than 11,000 people and distributed 4,000 Gospel tracts, so far. The 16,000-sq.-ft. facility located on the Monroe campus provides food for 1,200 families each month. “We … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists enjoy worship, fellowship, conduct business

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists enjoyed fellowship and worship during the 2025 LBC Annual Meeting, Nov. 11, hosted by the Randolph Riv­erfront Center, Alexandria. BUDGET APPROVED Messengers approved the 2026 financial plan, based on Cooperative Program contributions of $16,925,460, a decrease of $455,348, or 2.62 percent. Cooperative Program projections are based on ac­tual receipts from August 2024 through July 2025. The allocation formula for distributing CP gifts between Southern Baptist entities and Louisiana Baptist causes remains unchanged, 62.87 percent to support ministries in the state and 37.13 percent forwarded to fund national entities. MOTIONS Messengers considered two motions. A motion by Keith Sheridan, a messenger from First Baptist Church, Franklinton, presented a motion to amend bylaw Article 3, Section 6 concerning the committee on resolutions by adding the sentence “recommended resolutions may not be amended and must be adopted by a two-thirds vote.” The motion was referred to the Executive Board, who will report its findings during the 2026 Annual Meeting. A motion had been made during the 2024 LBC Annual Meeting by messenger … [Read more...]