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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

CEC to equip collegians in apologetics

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist col­legiate ministry leaders hope to equip students to discuss apologetics as well as share their faith and beliefs during the upcom­ing Collegiate Evangelism Conference, set for Feb. 6-7 in Louisiana Christian University’s Guinn Audito­rium, Pineville. CEC 2026 will feature three speakers: Matthew James, vice president of enrollment with New Orleans Baptist Theologi­cal Seminary; Joey Smith, pastor of Grayson Baptist Church; and Tommy Ki­ker, pastor of East Leesville Baptist Church. Crescent City Worship, a collaborative team of NOBTS students, faculty, alumni and friends, will lead music. Students will have a chance to attend break­out sessions that center around the conference theme, as well as to ask representatives of Louisi­ana BCM GOLA Missions, the International Mission Board and New Orleans Baptist Theological Sem­inary about missions and ministry opportunities. CEC registration be­gins Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. with the main session starting at 7:30 p.m. The confer­ence concludes Feb. 7 at 5 p.m. … [Read more...]

Lake Church brings freedom of Christ to community

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PRAIRIEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Lake Martin Baptist Church was on the verge of closing when they approached Jarrett Wells about replanting the church in June 2024. The once-vibrant con­gregation had dwindled to just seven members and felt Wells could help them better reach the community and ensure the church’s survival for many years to come. After several meetings and much prayer, the diminished Lake Martin Baptist Church congrega­tion voted to merge with a group that was meeting in Wells’ home for Bible study and committed to start a fresh Gospel work in the Lake Martin com­munity. “The heart of Lake Church is to bring the true freedom of Christ to this community, as well as show them that there is a church here that is really wanting to impact the community through the love of Christ,” Wells told the Baptist Message. “This is a story of two different groups of people going down two different paths that God brought together for one main purpose.” CALLED TO PLANT Wells, who previously pastored Oakview Baptist Church, Livingston, for 10 years, had taken an eight-month break from his role and in August of 2023 began hosting a Sunday morning Bible study in his home that … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams activated for winter storm response

By Baptist Message staff MONROE, La. (LBM) – The first Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been activated for a response to Winter Storm Fern. LBDR State Director Stan Statham told the Baptist Message that an Incident Management Team, chaplains and assessors already are on the ground in the Monroe area and that chainsaw teams will arrive on Jan. 31. A LBDR team will manage a site for teams working out of McClendon Baptist Church, West Monroe and while an Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief team will operate a site for volunteers at First Baptist Church, Delhi. Additionally, a feeding team from Rolling Hills Ministries is preparing food for an American Red Cross shelter at Liller Maddox Marbles Community Center in Monroe and for Emergency Operations Center workers in Richland Parish. Their team also will begin providing meals at a location yet to be determined in Lake Providence. Winter Storm Fern extended 1,300 miles and covered many communities with ice, sleet and snow, canceled flights, closed roadways, downed power lines and trees and contributed to at least 80 deaths. To give to DR efforts, visit https://louisianabaptists.org/about/teams/missions-ministry/disaster-relief/donate/ … [Read more...]

RAs saw growth in 2025

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Royal Ambassadors in the state experienced growth in 2025, and state leaders say the ministry is poised for another banner year. Attendance at the annual Survivor Camp saw its highest attendance since before COVID, and additional chapters were added. Additionally, Callen Breaux, a sixth grader from Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, won the national Royal Ambassador Pinewood Derby during the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Dallas, the second consecutive year the winner was an RA from Louisiana. Louisiana Baptist RA Consultant Steven Ancelet said he has witnessed first-hand how RAs has positively impacted boys to grow into Christ-like young men. “It has shaped their world view and what they can do to spread the Gospel,” Ancelet told the Baptist Message. “It seems that ministers and church staff are seeing the value in RAs also. Some churches have moved away from RAs in recent years and are now returning to it. “The special thing about RAs that separates it from other biblically based training for boys is that RAs has a mission focus,” he continued. “These boys understand that they can make a difference in the world through … [Read more...]