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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

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...]

YEC 2025: 571 students say ‘Yes’ to Jesus

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Organizers and participants of the 2025 Youth Evangelism Celebration praised God for the 571 students who made decisions for Christ, Nov. 23-24, in the Laborde Earles Coliseum in Alexandria. They also were grateful to Him for the more than 5,300 teens and adult sponsors who attended YEC (the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists). “I’m always amazed at how many people come together to make this annual event happen,” Louisiana Baptist Youth Ministry Strategist Lee Myers told the Baptist Message after the conclusion of YEC. “It truly is a cooperative effort, from LBC staff, production teams and an army of volunteers, who all play a part. But the biggest impact comes from our youth leaders and local churches who make sure this weekend becomes a reality. Louisiana is blessed with incredible adults who love students, support student ministry and help create moments where teenagers can encounter Christ.” BE CHANGED Anthony Vargas, student pastor at Together We Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in Yukon, Oklahoma, told students to admit their need for change and to cry out to Jesus for mercy. Referencing Luke 18, Vargas said Jesus … [Read more...]

Ashland Baptist Church deacon, treasurer arrested in connection with missing funds

By Baptist Message staff ASHLAND, La. (LBM) - A deacon and treasurer from Ashland Baptist Church have been arrested for alleged theft of more than $156,000 from the church. According to a news release from the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, an investigation began in February when members of the church contacted the sheriff’s office asking for an investigation into discrepancies and alleged missing funds. Deputies then completed an initial offense report and turned the case over to the Criminal Investigations Bureau of the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office for further investigation. Detectives worked over the next few months with church and bank officials, conducted interviews, executed search warrants and reviewed financial records and audits. They identified that deacon Troy R. Wamsley, and his wife, church treasurer Mandy L. Wamsley, both of Chestnut, allegedly wrote and cashed more than 100 unauthorized checks made payable to cash. They also discovered the couple allegedly admitted to taking the funds during a meeting with church officials and requested an opportunity to repay the money. After getting enough evidence and probable cause, detectives obtained arrest warrants signed by a 10th Judicial District … [Read more...]

McCurry returning ‘home’ to NSU BCM

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NATCHITOCHES, La. (LBM) – Austin McCurry, director of the Louisiana State University of Alexandria Baptist Collegiate Ministry, has been named to the same role with the Northwestern State University. McCurry, who will start on April 1, is a former member of the NSU BCM and follows Bill Collins, who is retiring March 31 after 36 years of faithful service to students on the campus. “My time at the NSU BCM changed the course of my life,” McCurry told the Baptist Message. “I wouldn’t be the follower of Jesus, husband, father and campus minister I am without Brother Bill and (his wife) Mrs. Phyllis, along with their faithful work through the NSU BCM. “I’m excited to serve at a university that I love in a city that I love,” he continued. “It’s going to be special for my daughter to grow up around a ministry where her parents and her grandparents met. It’s an honor to shepherd a ministry with the legacy of the NSU BCM.” McCurry first became involved with the NSU BCM during his sophomore year (August 2013) and a year later joined the leadership team while Collins was director. After graduating from NSU, McCurry remained at the BCM as an intern until May 2018, when he left to … [Read more...]

ABC celebrates 50 years of drawing campers to Christ

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer EUNICE, La. (LBM) – David Guillot came to Acadian Baptist Center in the summer of 1977 just hoping to have a fun time, but he also gained a personal relationship with Jesus, he said. Now a physician and member of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, Guillot still recalls the eternal impact the camp made on him. “I believe that a believer in Christ’s spiritual eternity begins at the moment of salvation,” Guillot told the Baptist Message. “And for years when I shared my testimony I’ve said, ‘As an eight-year-old boy I asked Christ to be my Savior at ABC in Eunice.’ So, Acadian Baptist Center is very special to me.” Guillot was among many who reminisced about the life-changing impact Acadian Baptist Center had on them during ABC’s 50th year anniversary celebration, Nov. 9. Held on the grounds of the Eunice camp, the event featured music led by a band of former ABC staffers, testimonies and a challenge by Oren Conner, former staffer and now pastor, Greenwell Springs Baptist Church. There also was a groundbreaking ceremony for the James and Diana Robinson worship center in appreciation of the couple’s stellar commitment to the camp. James is an alum of ABC and his dad, … [Read more...]

EVANGELISM 101 (Part 12): How to organize to win souls

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Soul winning is not a spontaneous behavior, but a deliberate act of obedience. It is something that must be a matter of intentional prayer (John 17:20), preparation (1 Peter 3:15) and pursuit (Luke 19:10). Indeed, intentionality – under the guidance of the Lord -- is a spiritual concept (Prov. 16:3; Luke 14:28; 1 Cor. 9:22-23; Col. 3:23-24). BIBLE BASICS Do not misunderstand. The Holy Spirit is either at work in the hearts of the lost (John 16:8; 2 Cor. 7:10), or He is not. Likewise, He is either working in the hearts of soul winners (John 15:26-27; Acts 1:8; 24:25; 26:25), or He is not. But throughout the Word, God is explicit that He is not the author of confusion or chaos but of orderliness: Old Testament -- Jethro helped Moses create an organization of administrators (rulers of tens, fifties, hundreds and thousands) to judge minor disputes, freeing Moses to address the difficult issues (Ex. 18:13-26). -- King David (who was prohibited from building the temple) organized everything needed for the construction, operation and administration of the temple: the plans, workers, gold, silver, cedar, priests, musicians, military, officials … [Read more...]

ECON 2026: Reach Louisiana for Jesus

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) – During the upcoming state Evangelism Conference, Jan. 26-27, hosted by First Baptist Church, Lafayette, speakers will urge Louisiana Baptists to reach their friends and family for Christ. “ECON continues to be a valuable time of equipping and encouragement for pastors and church members,” Louisiana Baptist Evangelism and Church Growth Director Keith Manuel told the Baptist Message. “I hope everyone will make plans now to attend. It will help you begin the new year with a clear focus and a renewed commitment to reaching the lost and strengthening a culture of evangelism in your church.” SCHEDULES ECON kicks off at 1:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon with featured messages by Leroy Fountain, church planting catalyst, Louisiana Baptists, and David Burton, founder, David Burton Ministries, Middleburg, Florida, and worship led by David Logan and Adam Watson from First Baptist Church, Covington. Breakout sessions are scheduled during the dinner hour with free meals available (please register) during the presentations: -- The Discipleship Collaborative will feature Larry Hyche, global missions associate, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, who will … [Read more...]

Church self-insurance coop receives $1.45 million from Louisiana

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – On Nov. 17, the Fellowship of Louisiana Churches and Nonprofit Religious Organizations received a $1.45 million check from the Louisiana Department of the Treasury to support the launch of a church self-insurance program. The program was authorized by legislation in 2023 and a total of $2.9 million was appropriated in 2025, half of which is represented by the check that was received. With the receipt of these funds, the goal is to open enrollment to churches and religious nonprofits sometime in the second quarter of 2026. FINANCIAL BOOST Steve Horn, president of the FLCNRO board of directors and executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, told the Baptist Message that receiving the grant “is an incredible blessing.” “I received a first call about church insurance companies not renewing our churches in February 2023. Almost immediately, Will Hall, Dale Lingenfelter, and I started working on solutions,” Horn explained. “We are not at the finish line, but receiving this grant is the result of hours of meetings and phone calls. All along the way, God provided us with people who showed us incredible kindness and expertise to navigate … [Read more...]