By Matt Coker, Special to the Baptist Message MONROE, La. – A routine day distributing food became a powerful reminder of why the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries Compassion Center ministry exists—to provide love, care, and hope in Christ to children and families in need. The encounter also illustrates the heart behind LBCHFM’s 2026 ministry theme, “One Home. Eight Ministries. One Mission.” DIVINE APPOINTMENT While serving families during a recent outreach, volunteer Danny Watt, member, First Baptist Church, Calhoun, shared Gospel tracts and a Bible with two young men who arrived seeking assistance. As the conversation developed, Watt connected the men with Pastor Marc Daniels, who was serving with a volunteer team from his First Baptist Church Avondale congregation. When Pastor Marc approached the vehicle, one of the men was holding the Bible and made a statement that opened the door to a deeper spiritual conversation. “I think about this all the time,” the young man said. When asked what he meant, the visitor explained that he frequently thought about death and eternity, and he even expressed confidence that he would be with God because he had “tried to live a good life.” But Pastor … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Atheistic and agnostic critics reject the Bible’s theology so strong­ly that they also dismiss its historical record, seeking to undermine any evidence that supports the truthful­ness of God’s Word. One of the most sus­tained attacks on the Bible’s historical accura­cy targets the legitimacy of—and even the existence of—the Kingdom of Israel. Some critics go so far as to claim that David and Solomon were not real historical figures. These attacks on Israel’s ancient legitimacy are also attacks on the foundations of Christianity. Even today, Marxists and Commu­nists who oppose Israel’s existence seek to weaken Christianity. Yet despite the ideolog­ical and political theater, archaeological discoveries increasingly refute Chris­tianity’s critics and affirm the biblical account of history. DAVID & SOLOMON Critics have long argued that the historical record is silent about David and Solomon, claim­ing that both men were either fictitious characters or in­consequential to history. However, these argu­ments were largely blunted in 1993, when an archae­ological team digging in northern Israel, discovered three fragments of a stone slab that … [Read more...]

By John Kyle, special to the Baptist Message   NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) -- Some say, “cross my heart and hope to die.” Others say, “let’s pinky swear.” Many of the seasoned saints reading this will say a person’s word is all you need.   For newlyweds, the exchanging and wearing of rings and the repeating of vows seals the deal, if you will.   The business world calls it a contract while in the financial world, a signed and notarized “promissory note” is required.   Promise.   It has been and continues to be a major part of our culture, of our lives. We promise to be on time when we accept a job. We promise to pay our bills on time. We promise to obey the law and not text while we drive.  There are not many aspects of life that promise does not touch.   If you think about it, the original Easter season ended with a promise. After 40 days of providing many convincing truths about His resurrection, Jesus uttered these familiar words:“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth,” (Acts 1:8, CSB). Immediately after saying those words, Jesus ascended to Heaven as the disciples watched.   While … [Read more...]

By John Kyle, Special to the Message NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) -- How many times have you said to someone, “prove it!”? “Prove it” is a statement of unbelief. You’re not buying what the other person is selling so you stop the conversation by saying “prove it.” This may come across as a prideful statement because you are convinced that the other person doesn’t know what they’re talking about, so you confidently throw down the gauntlet and say, “prove it.” It’s now post-Easter. Jesus did what He said He would do. He said He was going to be handed over to sinful men who would crucify Him and three days later He would be raised from the dead. If we’re honest, no one believed Him. You might recall how Peter pulled Him aside and said “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22). Everyone close to Jesus was surprised that He actually did what He said He would do. What did those early, discouraged and fear-filled followers need? Proof! And God specializes in proof. Proof appeared on the road to Emmaus on that first Easter Sunday. Two discouraged and disheartened men had left Jerusalem trying to figure out what just happened. Jesus came alongside of them, yet it wasn’t until He explained the teaching of … [Read more...]