By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer CAP HAITIEN, Haiti (LBM) – Easter weekend was extra special for four residents of Louisiana Reach Haiti (an orphan care ministry), who cel­ebrated their new lives in Christ during a special baptism service. In front of other LRH residents and staff mem­bers, the teens were bap­tized in a joint event with the congregation of the Baptist Church of the Dis­ciples, who baptized eight adults. The April 4 celebra­tion marked the first time LRH has baptized four people in one service. LRH President Darrin Badon, who was among 30 people present at the service, said the baptisms were the culmination of many years of pouring into the four youngsters by LRH staff, mission team members and himself. “They approached me when I visited with them in January about their decisions to finally accept Jesus,” Badon told the Baptist Message. “The baptisms were a great way to symbolize they died to their old selves and were made new to the Lord. I’m so grateful for all those who supported us, as you had a part in this.” Because they are all 18 years old, the four new be­lievers have “aged out” of the Children’s Village that LRH operates and have moved into a nearby house that will be home … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana No­tables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptist­message.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure place­ment in the Message. ON THE MOVE CORRECTION: In the April edition of Notables in the Baptist Message, it stated Mike Schultz was the new senior pastor at Woodland Park Baptist Church, Hammond. That was incorrect. Kevin Hess is the new senior past at Woodland Park Baptist Church. The Message apologizes for the confusion. Kevin Woodson is the new Worship Minister at Judson Baptist Church. Matt Simmons is the new Family Care Minister at Amite Baptist Church. Monte Rowse has resigned as pastor of First Baptist, Hackberry to assume the position of senior pastor Highland Park Baptist Church, Texarkana, Texas. Michael Stringer moves from interim to pastor at Countryside Baptist Church Bill Lott moves from interim to pastor at Ida Baptist Church, Michael Naquin is the new pastor … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – George and Polly Marshall have heeded a call to distribute hundreds of free hand-made cross­es painted with a simple message – “Jesus loves you,” they shared in an interview with the Baptist Message. They also said that through this effort that began Oct. 31, 2025, doz­ens have come to Christ and hundreds more have prayed with them as well as with members of var­ious churches who man “pop up” locations on shopping center parking lots throughout Central Louisiana. The Marshalls serve as missionaries with Al­pha-Omega Missions (a ministry that reaches in­dividuals with the Gospel in the U.S. and Mexico and receives support from multiple Baptist church­es) and are members with Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Melder. “Almost no one will turn down a free cross and we use that as a way to pull them into a conversa­tion about Jesus,” George Marshall offered. “We don’t talk long but do say a quick prayer of encourage­ment and share the Gospel. “We’re not pushy and aren’t here to debate,” he continued. “We just show them the love of Jesus.” The Marshalls, who minister throughout Mexico several times a year and spend the re­mainder of their time in … [Read more...]

  By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – During its May 5 meeting, the Louisiana Baptist Convention Ex­ecutive Board received updates on Cooperative Program giving and the ongoing work of the four convention entities. BUDGET REPORT Board members learned that gifts through the Cooperative Program from January to March totaled $260,289.85 more than the 2026 budget for these three months. However, when compared to the same timeframe in 2025, churches have given $85,582.16 less through CP so far this year than last year. ENTITY REPORTS LCU Louisiana Christian University President Mark Johnson shared that his recent inauguration as the school’s 10th president was a chance to bring the com­munity together. He noted that the university has made signif­icant progress in reducing its budget deficit through stronger financial steward­ship, careful evaluation of spending, improved opera­tional efficiencies and stra­tegic leadership decisions across multiple areas of the institution. Johnson also said the athletic department sees opportunities for future growth through the possi­ble addition of new sports programs, while graduate and online education con­tinue to gain momentum … [Read more...]