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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

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...]

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...]