By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – During the May 7 general session of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board, LBC Executive Director Steve Horn encouraged members to be passionate about sharing the Gospel. He also provided an update about efforts to resolve the church insurance crisis plaguing congregations of all denominations across the state. EVANGELISM MOVEMENT Horn said that since the Aug. 1, 2023, launch of Send Network Louisiana, the evangelistic growth initiative has produced 35 church planters, with two more headed to an assessment retreat in late May and an additional 29 potential planters in the assessment pipeline. An assessment retreat center has been established with Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, that will allow for two retreats annually, with the goal of producing 12 candidates per retreat. The Louisiana Baptist partnership with the North American Mission Board has a God-sized vision to see His Kingdom expanded in Louisiana by one percent (about 28,000) over the next decade. Researchers estimate that 60 percent of 4,648,794 Louisianans are lost (about 2,789,276). If successful, 28,875 Louisianans will be added to the Kingdom through 231 new … [Read more...]
SBC 2024: President
By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (LBM) - Six individuals have been announced as intended nominees for Southern Baptist Convention president. The following Annual Church Profile information is presented to allow readers to assess the evangelistic effectiveness of the individual’s home church (per capita baptisms) as well as the congregation’s financial commitment to the cooperative missions and ministries of Southern Baptists (Cooperative Program percentage of undesignated receipts). Finally, some personal information is provided about the candidate. For comparison, the average baptism to worship attendance ratio for the entire SBC is 1:18 (226,919 baptisms, 4,050,668 average worship attendance, 2024 ACP). Also, the Convention average CP percentage is 4.59 percent ($457,417,314 total Cooperative Program gifts for state and national causes, $9,962,910,482 combined undesignated receipts for all congregations, 2023 SBC Annual). SBC Bylaws, Article X “Election of Officers and Voting” provides a process for runoff elections: “If an officer does not receive a majority of votes cast on the first ballot, subsequent ballots shall carry the names of those who are included in the top 50 percent … [Read more...]
Crawford ready for church planting movement
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Jacob Crawford is on a mission to help Louisiana Baptists meet a goal of expanding God’s Kingdom in the state by 1 percent over the next decade. As a new Send Network Louisiana church planting strategist, Crawford is excited about how planting 231 new churches by 2033 could reap eternal fruit. “I really believe we can see a movement take place in our state as people come to know Jesus and more disciples are made and churches are planted across the state,” Crawford told Baptist Message. “Our heart is Louisiana. We want to see Louisiana come to Christ. “Louisiana Baptists have continually blessed my family and the churches that we planted over the years. We have experienced first-hand the amazing work of God that results from the prayer, partnership, and participation of Louisiana Baptists. This is a wonderful opportunity to serve Louisiana Baptists and seek to have a Kingdom impact in the state.” A veteran church planter for 18 years, Crawford started Life Point Community Church, Mansura (2006-2020). During that time, he saw the church grow from 10 to over 250 and baptize 435. Through the years, he served in a variety of other ministerial … [Read more...]
LBF reports 16-year high short-term fund rate
By Baptist Message staff (LBM) – The Louisiana Baptist Foundation has reached its highest short-term fund rate in more than 16 years. According to LBF Executive Director Jeff Steed, the annualized rate of 4.00 percent is being earned by churches and other ministry accounts all over the state. Like a savings account, the short-term fund allows churches to invest their money with no minimum balance or investment period, limitless and penalty-free withdrawals, deposits and accounts, and daily-earned interest that helps steward funds for Kingdom impact. Steed added that the fund often offers higher interest rates than those provided through a traditional bank while providing access and availability each business day by phone, email, fax, mail or in-person visit to the foundation office inside the Louisiana Baptist Building in Alexandria. “In the last 12 months, over $4 million was generated for short-term fund accounts for churches and other ministries,” Steed told the Baptist Message. “We are very grateful that God is continuing to bless the Foundation’s ministry through maximizing impact for those whom we have the honor to serve.” The short-term fund is one of many ways the foundation partners with Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]
LCU graduates challenged to be light for Christ
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Several members of the Louisiana Christian University Class of 2024 encouraged their classmates to be a light for Christ during the college’s 169th Commencement, May 4, inside Guinn Auditorium on campus. The school conferred 195 degrees (146 undergraduate and 49 graduate) during two separate but identical ceremonies to accommodate the graduates and their guests, who received the messages from these graduates about their LCU journeys. “Saturday was the living testimony of what we do at Louisiana Christian University,” Acting President David Jeffreys told the Baptist Message. “Our graduates have been equipped and prepared to fulfill the Great Commission as they go and serve Him in all walks of life. Our students shared some incredible testimonies of how God has used the LCU family to impact their lives. They will be missed but will now forever be Wildcats.” In her speech, Noel Schonhoff told the crowd that LCU gave her the confidence and motivation for a fresh start in life. Most importantly, she said, she found Christ during a Fellowship of Christian Athletes retreat. “Up until I attended school at LCU, I may have attended church five times,” … [Read more...]
Colyell Baptist Hosting Springfest 2024, April 27
Coyell Baptist Church, Livingston, presents Spring Fest 2024 on Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. There will be a CARSHOW, JAMBALAYA COOK-OFF, SILENT AUCTION, MUSIC, & LOTS OF FOOD! Bring your family out for a day of fellowship & fun. All proceeds go to our youth! … [Read more...]
Brian Free & Assurance will be in concert at Eastwood Baptist Church, April 21
Brian Free & Assurance will be in concert on Sunday, April 21, 6 p.m. at Eastwood Baptist Church. Brian Free & Assurance is the # 1 Country Gospel group in the nation. They have appeared numerous times on TV, including on the NBC Today Show, Primetime Country on TNN, and Gaither Homecoming. In 2022, they had the top gospel song in the US, and in 2023, they were nominated for a Grammy award. Make plans to attend this free concert on April 21. … [Read more...]
Pineville High’s Debate Tournament hosted by LCU
By Phoebe Lim, Wildcats Media Pineville High School partnered with Louisiana Christian University to host the Cenla Classic Debate Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 19-20. Five high school debate teams competed in the event: Caldwell Parish High School, Alexandria Senior High, Pineville High School, Ruston High School and Peabody High School. Winners were: Big Question: 1st James Shepherd, Pineville High School 2nd Curtis Bertrand, Pineville High School 3rd Chason Hernandez, Pineville High School Novice Lincoln Douglas: 1st Andrew Took, Ruston High School 2nd Scarlett Allred, Ruston High School Oral Interpretation: 1st Luke Clark, Caldwell High School 2nd Reese Gregory, Caldwell High School Humorous Interpretation: 1st Scarlett Allred, Ruston High School 2nd Maddox Schulte, Caldwell High School 3rd William Deal, Ruston High School Extemporaneous: 1st Kourtland Marcotte, Peabody High School 2nd Maddie Lavespere, Pineville High School 3rd Angie Lorenzo, Alexandria Senior High School Dramatic Interpretation: 1st Abigail Holton, Ruston High School 2nd Christian Wilks, Caldwell High School 3rd Titan Gutierrez, Caldwell High … [Read more...]
LCU benefactor Young leaves behind a legacy of faith, devotion to family
By Elizabeth Clarke, Wildcat Media Ray Young, who with his wife, Dorothy, were the benefactors of the Young School of Business, died Sunday, Jan. 21 at his home surrounded by family. He was 94. The Youngs, longtime supporters of business and agriculture in Louisiana, made a significant financial contribution to Louisiana Christian University to advance the business program, and in 2021 the university established the Ray & DorothyYoung School of Business to honor their contributions. “Ray Young was a leader of leaders,” said LCU President Rick Brewer. “One of the most humble and brilliant people I’ve ever known. He loved Christ and Kingdom work exemplified by his devotion to First Baptist Wisner and service as a two-term Trustee for LCU. The university is forever grateful for the contribution he and Dorothy made to support our School of Business named in their honor. Undoubtedly, the first words he heard when he entered Heaven’s portals were ‘well done, good and faithful servant.’” Young served many years on the LCU Board of Trustees. He was a Korean War veteran, farmer and agricultural consultant. Young served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy from 1950-55 before settling with his family in Wisner, where he resided … [Read more...]
Radical Evangelism
The early church experienced explosive growth because of a conviction to evangelize which led to a culture of evangelism. When confronted and threatened, they did not pray for their safety but for greater boldness. … [Read more...]
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