Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

‘Operation Love Your Neighbor’ to offer hope to storm-weary Monroe-West Monroe

By Baptist Message staff MONROE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists will have the chance to show the love of Christ through clearing of debris in yards in the Monroe-West Monroe area that were impacted by Winter Storm Fern. “Operation Love Your Neighbor,” set for Feb. 14-19, will allow churches, businesses and civic organizations to take a one-day mission trip there to encourage homeowners. Groups will check-in at 8:30 a.m. at the Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Incident Management Team trailer on the parking lot of McClendon Baptist Church, West Monroe, receive their assignments and return to the church by 4 p.m. Sack lunches, rakes, shovels and bags to place debris in will be provided. LBDR State Director Stan Statham told the Baptist Message that more than 200 work orders have been received since they arrived in the area on Jan. 29. Since half of those work orders are for cutting down and removing trees, the debris removal performed by groups during “Operation Love Your Neighbor” will allow DR teams more time to take care of the more pressing needs. “When folks experience something like this, people’s presence in their lives really helps them to overcome a sense of loss,” Statham said. “It helps people to overcome the … [Read more...]

Four young women named to National Acteens Panel

By Julie Walters, WMU SBC communications BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WMU SBC communications) – The Woman's Missionary Union SBC has named four young women to the 2026 National Acteens Panel: Alexis Andrade of Freeman Heights Baptist Church in Garland, Texas; Hannah Cooke of Harp’s Crossing Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia; Abigail Howard of Casey First Baptist Church, in Casey, Illinois; and Jamila Toya of Jemez Valley Baptist Church in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico. “Being named a National Acteens Panelist means these young women are the cream of the crop,” said Heather Keller, national WMU ministry consultant for Girls in Action, Children in Action and Acteens. “Their missions resumes reflect all areas of missions discipleship: learning about missions, praying for missions, supporting missions, doing missions and telling others about Jesus. These young women are not the ‘next’ generation, they are the ‘now’ generation of missions! I am excited to work with them and learn from them this year and know we will all be blessed by hearing about their passion for missions.” ALEXIS ANDRADE As a member of Acteens for more than six years, Andrade has had opportunities to serve her community through outreach events, packing backpacks … [Read more...]

Denham Springs senior awarded 2026 LCU Smith Scholar

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Rachel Henry, a student at Live Oak High School in Watson, has been awarded the Louisiana Christian University Smith Scholarship for 2026. Henry will receive a four-year full tuition, room and board scholarship. “I am so honored to have received the Smith Scholarship,” Henry said. “It means the world to me that I was chosen for this prestigious honor, especially after meeting the students that I was competing against, who were amazing, highly qualified people. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have been given, not only to learn about my future career, but to be able to put Christ at the center of my education. I am so excited to see what God has in store for me through LCU.” Henry is the daughter of Marty and Keith Henry. She is a four-year member of the track team and has been playing piano for 12 years. Henry also has served as an officer on the FCA team. Henry said she plans to major in psychology with a clinical focus, aiming to become a counselor with her own practice. Byron Broussard, of Woodworth, is a senior at Glenmora High School in Rapides Parish and has been awarded the Presidential Scholarship. He is the vice president of Student … [Read more...]

Fern survivor finds Christ

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WEST MONROE, La. (LBM) – John Broussard, a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief chaplain/assessor from Live Oak Baptist Church, Watson, had assessed a house damaged by Winter Storm Fern when he had a “God moment,” Feb. 2. Moments after praying with a homeowner, two other assessors “happened” to arrive on scene and they all prayed with the grandmother who soon after shared about the personal struggles of her grandson, Eric. Through a series of questions with Eric, Broussard sensed he may not have a relationship with Jesus. Initially, he did not turn to Christ but soon after he accepted the Lord. “It was no coincidence that two other assessors arrived at the house when we were about to pray for Eric,” Broussard told the Baptist Message. “It was no coincidence that I am a chaplain at a recovery house where I get to minister to people like Eric. And it was no coincidence that I had left my cap at the house and when I called to see if the homeowner had it, she wanted me to come back and lead her grandson to a relationship with Jesus.” Clark Fooshee, white hat for the Incident Management Team working out of McClendon Baptist Church, West Monroe, said the incident is a … [Read more...]

Mark Sutton, former LBC president, passes

By Baptist Message staff SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – Mark Sutton, a former president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, died Feb. 1. He was 78. According to his obituary, Sutton was a graduate of Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and pastored multiple churches throughout his time in ministry: Simpson Baptist Church, Simpson; L’Eglise Évangélique Baptiste, Lyon, France; Immanuel Baptist Church, Hammond; and Brookwood Baptist Church, Shreveport. He also served as Baptist Message board member (1986-1991), LBC president (1993-1995), Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board member (1994-1996) and Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association moderator (2003-2005), according to the Annual Church Profile. “We are deeply saddened by the news of Mark Sutton’s death,” Brookwood Baptist Pastor David Rice told the Baptist Message. “Brother Mark faithfully pastored Brookwood for 21 years with visionary leadership, a sharp wit, and a deep sense of his own humanity. He leaves behind a legacy of commitment to sharing the gospel around the world, preaching God’s Word without apology, and loving God’s people without prejudice. As the current pastor it is an honor and a … [Read more...]