By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn, during the 2024 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 12, hosted by Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport, urged messengers to connect, cooperate, follow the Great Commission and commit for the Kingdom. CONNECTION “We are a connected force for good,” Horn said. “But if we cease to be connected, we will lose or at least diminish our ability to be a force for good. Just as we are a force for good at the national level, I believe we are a force for good in Louisiana.” Horn said the Baptist Message, Louisiana Baptist Foundation, Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, Louisiana Christian University and Executive Board all play a part in that connection. Importantly, he shared how the Executive Board has responded to the church insurance crisis that is pressing on congregations across the state, approving a motion, Sept. 24, that would loan $250,000 from the Disaster Relief Restricted Fund to help cover initial costs of a newly formed church self-insured organization. The money would be used for the establishment and administration of the self-insurance trust, also known as … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists enjoyed fellowship and worship during the 2024 LBC Annual meeting, Nov. 12, hosted by Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport. BUDGET APPROVED Messengers approved the 2025 financial plan based on Cooperative Program contributions of $17,380,808, a decrease of $699,761, or 3.87 percent. Cooperative Program projections are based on actual receipts from August 2023 through July 2024. 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 four motions, unanimously approving one that established a day of prayer for Louisiana Christian University on the first Sunday in February (submitted by Terry Young, pastor, Airline Baptist Church, Bossier City). Young submitted two other motions regarding LCU. He withdrew one motion that asked Louisiana Baptists to use prayer, more funding, and student recruiting to reaffirm their dedication to and partnership with the school. His third motion, asking for a special annual offering for … [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 Jim Alan Calvert is the new Pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, Metairie, LA. Pastor Calvert’s rst day in the pulpit was November 3, 2024. Charles Ebarb is the new music minister at South Bossier Baptist Church, Bossier City. POSITION SOUGHT Hodge Baptist Church in Hodge, LA is seeking a full-time pastor. Please mail resumes to Pastor Search Committee in c/o Hodge Baptist Church, P O Box 340, Hodge, LA 71247 or email to: hodgebaptist@yahoo.com. Pastor: College Drive Baptist Church in Pineville, LA is seeking a bi-vocational pastor. Please mail resumes to Richard Bullock, 515 Sandy Hill Lane, Pineville, LA 71360 or email gmbull50@yahoo.com. Pastor: HOMECOMING/ANNIVERSIES Riverview Baptist Church, Alexandria: Homecoming, Nov. 17, 9:30 a.m. Guest … [Read more...]