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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Collins to retire from NSU BCM after 36 years of faithful service

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NATCHITOCHES, La. (LBM) – For nearly four de­cades Bill Collins has helped students on the Northwest­ern State University fulfill the Great Commission. Collins, who is set to re­tire March 31, 2026, from his role as NSU’s Baptist Colle­giate Ministry director, said he is thankful for the chance to see so many students who have been a part of the ministry become warriors for Christ. “I always believe that you should take yourself out of the game before some­one has to take you out of the game,” Collins told the Baptist Message. “I know I had probably a few more years left but really felt God leading me to go ahead and step down to allow a young­er, more energetic person to come in and be able to do some new things. “This is a new generation of students, and somebody younger, a little closer to their life experiences, is go­ing to be able to help them formulate some new pro­gramming,” he continued. “I really believe this the best thing for the NSU BCM, for my wife Phyllis and my­self. And of course, we’re not retiring from ministry, just retiring from the NSU BCM.” During his time at NSU, Collins has seen students come to Christ, discipled and sent on mission trips. He … [Read more...]

EVANGELISM 101 (Part 11): Demolishing obstacles to soul winning

By Mike Bergeron, special to the Baptist Message NEW ORLEANS (LBM) -- Some studies indicate that as few as 10 percent of professed Christians share the Gospel regularly, with “regularly” meaning only about one time per month. What is the “brick wall” that seems to stand between many professed Christians and them sharing the Gospel? An informal survey, November 2025, of SBC pastors (small churches to megachurches), along with seminary professors, and associational directors of missions and church planters (across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Missouri) sought their opinions about the top reasons why so many Christians today either never or rarely share the Gospel. Below are their candid responses combined with biblical passages to tear down each brick in the wall. NOTE: Scriptures are from the NKJV translation of the Bible. Not Vibrantly Walking with Christ: Too many Christians seem content to remain spiritually shallow in their own walk. Some feel disqualified to share the Good News because of personal sin in their own lives. 1 Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you; with meekness and … [Read more...]

Former slave girl experiences freedom with ‘Louisiana Reach Haiti’

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer CAP HAITIEN, Haiti (LBM) – Louisiana Reach Haiti ministry leaders recently welcomed a 12-year-old Haitian girl who had been just freed from slavery. The transformation of Esther from a girl held captive to one who now experiences the love and compassion of Christ has been yet another blessing for a ministry that in 2023 had to seek refuge in Cap Haitien after gang-ravaged Port-au-Prince became too dangerous as a homebase. “When I met Esther after she was brought to us by her rescuers, Haiti’s child protective service, she shared about her love for the other children and her new life here,” LRH President Darrin Badon told the Baptist Message. “We’re just loving her and sharing the Lord’s goodness with her. “Our calling is to help any child that we can and ultimately reunite them with family,” he continued. “While reunification won’t happen with Esther, we can show God’s love to her for the many years she will be with us and prepare her, spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally for the future. “I know God has placed her with us because He knows that we love our kids and that we can defend those kids against the evils of the world. Their spiritual health is … [Read more...]

LBC entities report achievements, plans

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Messengers to the 2025 Louisiana Bap­tist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 11, held in the Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexandria, heard encouraging updates from their four entities. LBCHFM Louisiana Baptist Chil­dren’s Home and Family Ministries President and CEO Perry Hancock expressed gratitude to Louisiana Baptists for their support that has im­pacted more than 12,800 children the last two years alone. He updated messen­gers about the Bridges of Hope residential program (that offers short-term care for foster children transitioning into long-term programs), Wom­en’s Learning Center (that helps women obtain high school equivalen­cy diplomas); Orphans Embrace (reaching Hai­ti through a children’s home in that country); Granberry Counseling Centers; Connect1Child (foster care and adoption ministry); and Home­Place (ministry for home­less women and their children). Hancock made special mention of the Com­passion Center which opened four months ago. He said it has served more than 11,000 people and distributed 4,000 Gospel tracts, so far. The 16,000-sq.-ft. facility located on the Monroe campus provides food for 1,200 families each month. “We … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists enjoy worship, fellowship, conduct business

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists enjoyed fellowship and worship during the 2025 LBC Annual Meeting, Nov. 11, hosted by the Randolph Riv­erfront Center, Alexandria. BUDGET APPROVED Messengers approved the 2026 financial plan, based on Cooperative Program contributions of $16,925,460, a decrease of $455,348, or 2.62 percent. Cooperative Program projections are based on ac­tual receipts from August 2024 through July 2025. 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 two motions. A motion by Keith Sheridan, a messenger from First Baptist Church, Franklinton, presented a motion to amend bylaw Article 3, Section 6 concerning the committee on resolutions by adding the sentence “recommended resolutions may not be amended and must be adopted by a two-thirds vote.” The motion was referred to the Executive Board, who will report its findings during the 2026 Annual Meeting. A motion had been made during the 2024 LBC Annual Meeting by messenger … [Read more...]

Pastors Conference: Be encouraged

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – During the 2025 Louisiana Baptist Pastors Con­ference, Nov. 10, held in the Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexandria, speakers offered words to encourage pastors. TODD STRAIN Todd Strain, pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, spoke during the opening session from Matthew 6:16-18 and encouraged pastors to consider fast­ing. “I believe for us today if we fast before the Lord as He has called us to do, I believe we will experience His power and provision,” he said. Strain shared that fasting, which is mentioned more than 80 times in the Bible, is an expression of our longing for God, that it will be rewarded, and in volves a plan. Strain said that while the reward from fasting is answered prayer, we also will receive His presence by doing so. “More than His provi­sion, we need His presence,” he said. “The reward from fasting is we get His pres­ence. When we have His presence, we have all we need.” Before fasting, Strain said to define a timeframe such as sunup to sundown, decide to give up something like food and find various times to pray throughout each day. “Overall do a heart check,” he said. “What is God calling you to? Are … [Read more...]

HORN: Stay together to reach Louisiana for Jesus

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – During the 2025 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 11, hosted by the Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexan­dria, Louisiana Baptist Executive Di­rector Steve Horn urged messengers to stay on mission together to reach the 4.6 million people who live in the state. “Let’s stay together so that the world may know that God the Father sent the Son,” he said. “Let’s stay together. This is going to require faith. And this is going to require grace. But staying together is going to result in eternal wins. Louisiana Baptists, let’s stay together.” EVANGELISTIC OPPORTUNTIES Horn encouraged messengers to commit to reach one person for Christ through the North American Mission Board’s new ‘Who’s Your One in a million’ initiative (a twist on the Southern Baptist Con­vention’s entity’s ‘Who’s Your One?’ personal evangelism effort). This concept challenges one million Christ follow­ers to commit to reach just one person with the Gospel. If one million believers commit to this plan, Lou­isiana could see historical numbers of salvations and subsequent baptisms in churches, Horn said. “It’s not just a lofty goal,” he said. “It’s a very doable … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Emerson enters U.S. Senate race offering ‘results not rhetoric’

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) — State Rep. Julie Emerson, a member with First Baptist Church, Lafayette, has announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate. “I’m running for the United States Senate because Louisiana deserves a senator who can lead, deliver, and help rebuild America’s confidence,” Emerson said in a news release that announced her candidacy, Oct. 27. “For the first time in years, the future feels brighter than the past.” Emerson will challenge Bill Cassidy, who she said is “the most vulnerable incumbent in the Senate” after he voted to convict President Donald Trump on impeachment charges. “Voters want a strong conservative senator who can get things done — someone focused on results, not rhetoric,” Emerson said. “I’m running to bring home real outcomes for Louisiana: infrastructure investment, new jobs and a seat at the table where decisions get made.” Emerson, R-Carencro, serves as the chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and was the first woman to chair a finance committee in the state’s legislative history. Moreover, she has sponsored consequential legislation, including bills to cut state income taxes, provide school choice and to end abortion. … [Read more...]