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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Baptisms mark launch of FBC Moss Bluff’s second campus

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer DERIDDER, La. (LBM) – Sensing God’s call to plant a church for several years, Bubba Sharpton said it was easy to say “yes” in June 2023 to an invitation to become pastor of a second campus of First Baptist Church, Moss Bluff. Ten months later, the church’s second campus celebrated its first service, March 31, with four baptisms and 420 people packing the congregation’s temporary home at the Wooten Theater in DeRidder. “We were overwhelmed and humbled at the tangible joy and excitement experienced by all who were able to join us,” Sharpton told the Baptist Message. “God exceeded our expectations and moved in a powerful way through baptism, song, and the sharing of the Word.” BACKGROUND In 2020, Sharpton was enjoying a career in the chemical plant industry when he and his wife, Brandi, who were both members of FBCMB at the time, sensed that God wanted them to get their finances in order. As the couple began to pay down their home mortgage, FBCMB staff conducted a survey on the church’s health and readiness to take the “next step” in following God. Compiling the inputs, a plan emerged to plant a second campus in DeRidder. By early 2023, FBCMB Pastor Bryan Carter … [Read more...]

SBC EC declines transparency motions

By Baptist Message staff INDIANAPOLIS (LBM) – Leading up to the 2024 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, the Executive Committee declined to act on two motions that called for enhanced transparency in the financial reports provided by Southern Baptist entities. Presented by messengers during the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans, the motions would have required Convention entities to provide Southern Baptists with detailed information about highly compensated individuals -- like other tax-exempt organizations that are mandated to submit the Form 990 to the Internal Revenue Service. The motions would not have required entities to submit Form 990 to the IRS, but only provide the detailed breakout information about executive salaries to Southern Baptists. Instead of requiring such transparency, the EC urged Convention entities to uphold all current reporting standards and promised to review the Business and Financial Plan “to determine ways to enhance transparency and clarity of reporting to the Convention, and will report its findings and recommendations to the messengers at the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas.” … [Read more...]

Alabama native Ingram retiring to Mississippi after 16 years of Louisiana ministry

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – For the past 16 years, Jeff Ingram has traveled the state helping Louisiana Baptist congregations discover how to better carry out the God-given mandate to make disciples. Ingram, who is set to retire June 30 from the Evangelism and Church Grown team, told the Baptist Message he is thankful for having had the opportunity “to serve the churches.” “I really value the relationships I’ve had through the years with our LBC staff, but also with associational mission strategists, pastors, church staff and lay leaders,” he said. “Just ‘thank you’ for the opportunity to get to know you, to work with you and to see how God is working through Louisiana Baptists to reach and minister to the people in their communities.” CALLED TO SERVE Ingram grew up in a home where church attendance was a priority, but during his teen years he became less engaged. After he graduated high school and began attending the University of South Alabama, he felt the need to join the Baptist Student Union and attend Spring Hill Baptist Church, Mobile, Alabama, he said. However, it was during a revival service at Agricola Baptist Church, Lucedale, Mississippi, that Ingram made his … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

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 Andrew Ogea is the new pastor of First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge. His father, Reggie Ogea, has been Interim pastor at FBCBR since April 2023. Kevin, wife Melainie, Ulmer is the new Louisiana Baptists evangelism strategist on the Evangelism/Church Growth Team. He begins on July 1. Chuck Clinton is the new music minister at First Baptist Church, Greenwood. Russell, wife Hope, James is the new youth minister for Bonita Road Baptist Church, Bastrop. Kevin, wife Nichole, Seefried is the new student past at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, West Monroe. Lane Noakes is the new youth minister at First Baptist Church, Dry Prong. Riley Robertson is the new music minister at Victory Baptist Church, Monroe. Jeff Hoffman, Pastor of FBC Arcadia, is the … [Read more...]

Quitman Baptist RA wins national Pinewood Derby at SBC

By Baptist Message staff INDIANAPOLIS (LBM) – Josiah Jones, a fifth grader from Quitman Baptist Church, recently won the national Royal Ambassador Pinewood Derby in the same city where the famed Indianapolis 500 is held each year. Held June 9 prior to the 2024 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, the race featured eight finalists from around the SBC who competed inside the exhibit hall. Jones, who won the Louisiana Baptist RA Congress Pinewood Derby race in March, expressed excitement about coming in first place on the national level, and thanked Louisiana Baptist Men’s Ministry Strategist Stan Statham and Southern Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union consultant for RAs, Challengers and Youth on Mission Keith Gates (also a member of First Baptist Church, Winnsboro) for coordinating the event. “It was a unique and fun experience,” Jones told the Baptist Message. “I’m thankful to my church, Quitman Baptist; my pastor, Brother Donald Rudd; and my RA leader, Corey Rowe, for making this possible through RA Congress.” … [Read more...]

FBC Baton Rouge to celebrate 150th anniversary

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, has a series of scheduled events to coincide with a 150th anniversary that will give members a chance to remember their storied past as well as look to a hopeful future. “First Baptist Church Baton Rouge has stood as a beacon of faith, hope and love for a century and a half,” FBCBR Music Minister Christian Vige told the Baptist Message. “This milestone is not just a marker of time, but a celebration of countless lives transformed, hearts touched and communities served. It’s a time to reflect on the rich history of the church, honoring those who laid the foundation of faith and those who have continued to build upon it. “The sesquicentennial anniversary provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the church's journey and renew our commitment to the mission and vision that God has placed before us for the future,” he added. “As we look back on the past 150 years, we are reminded of the countless ways God has worked through our church to spread His love and message.” EVENTS The church will kick off its anniversary with “Stars, Stripes and Sounds: A Patriotic Musical Celebration” July 4 at 7 p.m. The event will … [Read more...]

SBC HIGHLIGHTS: Southern Baptists conduct business, enjoy fellowship, share the Gospel

By Baptist Message staff INDIANAPOLIS (LBM) – Here are the highlights from the 2024 SBC Annual Meeting, June 10-12. Law Amendment (ban on women pastors) Messengers cast 5,099 ballots in favor (61.45 percent) of the Law Amendment and 3,999 against (38.38 percent). However, the majority fell short of the two-thirds (66.67 percent) threshold needed to amend the SBC Constitution. Last year, in New Orleans, 80 percent of messengers approved the measure to ban women pastors. However, failing in 2024 means the issue is dead for now because any constitutional amendment needs to be passed by the supermajority of messengers in two consecutive annual meetings. Disfellowshipped (legacy Virginia congregation) Nearly 92 percent (6,750) of ballots sustained the Credentials Committee’s recommendation to oust the historic First Baptist Church, Alexandria, Virginia. The congregation, which has a female pastor on staff, was found not to “closely identify” with the SBC. The move comes a year after messengers, during the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting, disfellowshipped three churches who were found to be “not in friendly cooperation” with the SBC: Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California (three ordained women pastors), Fern Creek … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention baptisms soar 31 percent

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Recently released information that updated the Annual Church Profile database for 2023 shows that the number of baptisms performed by Louisiana Baptist congregations jumped to 8,770 in 2023, a surge of 2,020 more baptisms, or 31.1 percent above the numbers for 2022. This growth nearly doubles the 1,060 additional baptisms reported in 2022 (6,690), which was an 18.8 percent rise above 2021 (5,630). The Southern Baptist Convention also reported increases for both years, almost 26 percent in 2023 and about 16 percent in 2022. The soaring LBC numbers coincide with what has been described as a “rebound” from the COVID pandemic in 2020, but also occur with the launch of a soul winning emphasis by Louisiana Baptists that was announced preceding the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting, which was held in New Orleans. In May 2023, LBC Executive Director Steve Horn shared with LBC Executive Board mem­bers his desire to restore a “culture of evangelism” among Louisiana Baptists. His vision accompanied the announcement of Send Network Louisiana, a church planting partner­ship (launched in August 2023) with the SBC North American Mission Board that includes a God-sized … [Read more...]

Louisiana Christian seeking next president of the university

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University has announced its search for the 10th president of the nearly 120-year-old institution, according to Tommy Kiker, who serves on the university’s Board of Trustees and as presidential search committee chair. “As we begin this process, the committee and I covet your prayers and we need and ask for your input in the process,” said Kiker, lead pastor of East Leesville Baptist Church. “We are accepting applications and recommendations, but will spend most of the summer praying, receiving input from faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the school, and developing a desired profile.” The presidential search committee members include four trustees and two LCU faculty members. The members were voted on and approved by the full board at its spring board meeting. The committee requests alumni, community members and all interested parties to offer input through a survey tool developed by LCU’s research department. The survey tool can be accessed here. The search committee welcomes applications and recommendations to the following email address: psc@lcuniversity.edu. David Jeffreys has been serving as LCU’s acting president since the … [Read more...]