Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

ECON 2026 cancelled due to impending extreme winter conditions

By Baptist Message staff LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist leaders announced Jan. 23 that the 2026 state Evangelism Conference will not take place this year because of meteorological warnings about an approaching ice storm. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency on Jan. 22. “We have made the difficult decision to cancel ECON ’26 scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, January 26-27, at First Baptist Church, Lafayette, due to the forecasted weather,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn said in a statement. “While Lafayette and South Louisiana may not be affected much, ECON is a statewide event. Those coming from Central and North Louisiana are likely to face significant travel impacts. In addition, many of our speakers, musicians, and presenters are facing difficult travel. Furthermore, our Disaster Relief teams are standing by to provide assistance to those affected by power outages. “We are incredibly thankful for the staff and members of First Baptist Church, Lafayette, who have been wonderful partners in preparing for ECON ’26,” he continued. “We are disappointed in our inability to gather this year, but we look forward to sharing details about ECON ’27. “Until then, keep sharing … [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 John, wife Emily, Roach is the new pastor at Summer Grove Baptist Church from Green Acres Baptist Church, Tyler, Texas. Emily Alexander resigned as children’s di­rector at Ellerbe Baptist Church, Shreveport. Jason, wife Jessica, McGuffie is the new pastor at Eastwood Baptist, Haughton. He comes from First West Monroe Baptist Church. HOMECOMING Wilda Baptist Church, Boyce: The Lefevre Quartet in Concert, for annual homecoming celebration. February 8, 9 a.m. Cost: Free entry. Pastor: Joey Rudisill. REVIVAL Fort Necessity Baptist Church. Fort Necessity: Revival. February 1-4. Evangelist: Sam Moore. Pastor: John Bradley. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Jena: Spring Revival, February 1-4, Evangelist: Scotty McDowell. Pastor: Ricky … [Read more...]

Churches assist Norwood Baptist WMU for Southeast Louisiana Pregnancy Center fundraiser

Ten area churches gathered to assist with Norwood Baptist Church WMU’s mission luncheon with proceeds supporting the Southeast Louisiana Pregnancy Center for the women and children in Bogalusa. Following a catered lunch by Iron Horse in Jackson, the 120 attendees listened as SLPC director Clelie Dugan and board director Patrick Magee explained the functions and needs of the center. NBC Deacon Jimmy Garig was the master of ceremonies, and NBC Pastor Cory Magee opened the event with prayer. Following lunch, a silent auction took place with a variety of items for sale, including the table decorations and 30 handmade crocheted animals by Mildred Hudson, a member of the NBC WMU. The event netted the pregnancy center $7,000, delivered just before Christmas. … [Read more...]

Life Marches 2026: ‘Love them both’

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Anticipated thousands of Louisianians will stand together for life as part of six pro-life marches throughout the state in the coming weeks, according to the lead organizer. The theme for the marches is “Love them both.” “We are preparing to march for life and show Louisiana that we love them both, mom and baby,” Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper told the Baptist Message. “Our movement unites every January to defend life and help moms, and we can’t wait to join citizens from across Louisiana.” — Jan. 17 (Lafayette): Festival de la Vie will kick off the pro-life march at 10 a.m. in Parc San Souci. — Jan. 22 (Lake Charles): Participants will gather at 6 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Park. — Jan. 24 (Baton Rouge): The march will begin, 10 a.m., in the grassy area of the Capitol and end in Galvez Plaza / North Boulevard Town Square on the site of the Old State Capitol building. — Jan. 24 (Bossier/Shreveport): Participants will gather at 10 a.m. in Festival Plaza and march over the Texas St. Bridge. — Jan. 25 (Monroe/West Monroe): Pro-life supporters will gather, 2 p.m., on the campus of First Baptist Church, West Monroe, and march to Anna Grey … [Read more...]

AG Murrill indicts California doctor for trafficking illegal abortion pills in violation of Louisiana

By the Office of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill BATON ROUGE (Office of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill) - Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has indicted Remy Coeytaux, a California doctor, for trafficking illegal abortion pills in violation of Louisiana law. He has been charged in St. Tammany Parish with Criminal Abortion by Means of Abortion-Inducing Drugs, a violation of La R.S. 14:87.9, which carries the penalty range of one to fifty years at hard labor and fines, depending on the circumstances. A criminal arrest warrant has been signed for Coeytaux and his name has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). An extradition request has been sent to Governor Landry. “This is not healthcare; it’s drug dealing. Individuals who flagrantly and intentionally violate our laws by sending illegal abortion pills into our state placing women in danger. We’ve seen the proof of that, with women showing up in emergency rooms after taking these pills and being coerced into abortions," said Murrill. The new case will be prosecuted by District Attorney Collins Sims in the 22nd JDC, unless he recuses himself from the case. A similar case with a New York doctor is being handled by District … [Read more...]

Scammers target FBC Anacoco

By Baptist Message staff ANACOCO, La. (LBM) - A Louisiana Baptist church has sounded a warning after scammers impersonated their pastor earlier this week. Chad King, pastor of First Baptist Church of Anacoco, said he was contacted on Jan. 6 by church members who said they received text messages from him regarding requests for gifts and gift cards. While no members fell for the scam, King said the incident is a reminder that even churches must be on guard. “I would just encourage everyone to pay close attention to who is texting you and how the messages are worded,” King told the Baptist Message. “Sometimes just by the wording of a text message you can tell if it really is that person who they claim to be. “Also do your best to verify before responding, he continued. “Reach out to them and ask if they sent the message. Finally never click on a link or respond to something that doesn’t sound accurate. We are living in a world where it doesn’t matter if you are a church or minister they are willing to do whatever it takes to scam for money.” … [Read more...]

NOBTS celebrates more than 250 fall graduates

By Timothy Cockes, NOBTS public relations NEW ORLEANS (NOBTS) - New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College celebrated more than 250 graduates during its fall commencement ceremonies, Dec. 12.  Jamie Dew, president of NOBTS and Leavell College, began the ceremonies by reminding graduates of the unique nature of the seminary’s work as evidenced by the service itself.  “Today we open the Scriptures, and that in itself is different from most graduation ceremonies around the country,” Dew said.   “This is a worship service in which we will also confer degrees because this institution is very different from all other kinds of institutions in higher education. We don’t exist to do education for its own sake. By our very nature, we have a very niche focus; we train men and women for Gospel ministry. Everything that we do is about that.”  Dew congratulated the 271 graduates receiving degrees and certifications.   “Graduates, we are incredibly proud of you,” Dew said. “You’ve studied hard, worked diligently and given yourself to your assignments.   “You did all of this work ultimately because the Lord called you. He called you not just to get a degree. A degree is a means to an end, and that end is to serve Jesus … [Read more...]