By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists spent their summer on mission for Christ, welcoming children into their facilities for Vacation Bible School. Through these efforts, they saw many of these youngsters make decisions for Christ in what is considered the largest “simultaneous” evangelistic outreach across the Louisiana Baptist Convention. GOLA VBS Twelve students from the state’s Baptist Collegiate Ministries gave up most of their summer breaks to sow the Gospel through VBS events held in Louisiana and Wyoming by participating in GOLA (Go Louisiana) VBS, an LBC BCM emphasis that allows students to share God’s love while conducting VBS minis­tries with churches. Through late July, the team reported 60 decisions for Christ. The Louisiana team was comprised of members from Louisiana Christian University, Louisiana Tech, Northwestern State University and Southeastern Louisi­ana University BCMs, who served, May 28-July 16, with First Baptist Church, Morgan City; First Bap­tist Church, Leesville; Longview Baptist Church, Deville; Community Bap­tist Church, Youngsville; Ridge Avenue Baptist Church, West Monroe; Indian Village Baptist Church, Kinder; SweetWa­ter … [Read more...]

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 Chuck Pourciau, pastor at Broadmoor, Shreveport, retiring September 1 after 27 years. Brad Gill is now dual director of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry with Louisi­ana Christian University and Louisiana State University of Alexandria. Joe Michael Price is the new student minister at Grayson Baptist Church. Kevin, Malanie, Ulmer is the new pastor at Tioga First Baptist Church, Tioga. Ulmer will continue to serve as Louisiana Baptist evangelism strategist. Andrew Gott is the new pastor at Little Pass Baptist Church, Charenton. Bruce, wife Erin, LePoint is the new associational mission strategist for the Carey Baptist Association. There will be a meet & greet July 30 at 6 p.m. at the Trinity Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Jarrod, wife … [Read more...]

By Louisiana Baptist Foundation staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBF) – The Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees met June 23 to conduct the business of the entity, with Ray Swift, director of pastoral leadership for Louisiana Baptists, providing a devotional message rooted in Psalm 13. INVESTMENTS Representatives from Graystone Consulting presented their report to the Board, highlighting the Foundation’s overall growth in its investments, ongoing adherence to its investment policies and discussing market forecasts for the remainder of the year. Jared Price, the Foundation’s Executive Director, reported that as of May 2026, the entity’s assets under management had exceeded $339 million, the annualized yield for the short-term fund was 4.5 percent and the group investment fund’s year-to-date performance was 7.6 percent while its trailing 12-month performance was 16.9 percent. AUDIT The Board approved the independent audit, presented by Becca Nation, certified public accountant with Payne, Moore & Herrington in Alexandria, which stated that the Foundation’s financial statements presented fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the entity as of Dec. 31, 2025. OPERATIONS Price reported that … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message FOLSOM, La. (LBM) - David Mercer, youth pastor with First Baptist Church, Folsom, has been arrested on charges of sexual abuse of multiple children that allegedly took place in the 1990s. According to a news release from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Mercer, 72, was taken into custody July 10 and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. Officers with the STPSO Special Victim’s Unit assisted with the search of a residence owned by the church in Folsom. The case is ongoing, and officials believe there may be additional victims. Anyone who was a victim of Mercer, or has information that could assist in the case, is encouraged to contact the STPSO via 985.898.2338, or to reach out to their local law enforcement agency. FBC Folsom released the following statement on Facebook: “We care about kids, youth, adults, and families. Our hearts are broken by those affected by this situation. While we have background checks and child safety training for all our workers, we are currently reviewing our hiring and child protection policies. You may contact our church office if you would like us to connect you to a licensed professional counselor. This has come as a total surprise to myself … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff TYLER, Texas (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists who are thinking about buying a church bus will have an opportunity to learn about owning and renting options during an upcoming webinar. Presented by Carpenter Bus Sales, the free webinar will take place via Zoom, July 30 at 6 p.m. Rick Cassels, regional sales manager for Carpenter Bus Sales and also a lifelong Baptist, will lead the webinar, which will be the first for the company. The 30-minute webinar will offer information about purchase and rental options, and will include a time for participants to speak. “This will be a chance to ask questions that are pertinent to them, and I'll take as long as needed to answer,” Cassels told the Baptist Message. “This is a time that they can tune in and maybe glean a few ideas from the information presented and questions asked so they can then take back that information to their committees or church staff.” Dominic Menard, national director of marketing for Carpenter Bus Sales, said the webinar will allow for “a whole committee from a church" to watch the presentation. "By having multiple people watch the presentation, gathering information for their church, they will be able to make a well-informed decision about … [Read more...]