By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ORLANDO, Fla. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists placed first in multiple national Royal Ambassador Pinewood Derby races, held June 8-9 prior to the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. Winning their respective races were Campbell Hodge, a fourth grader from Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, RA division; Louisiana Baptist Women’s Missions and Ministry Strategist Christine Gill, state Baptist WMU director division; and Rob Richardson, an RA leader from First Baptist Church, Lafayette, RA leader division. Hodge, whose win was the third year in a row for a Louisiana Baptist RA, expressed excitement about the three-peat. “It felt great to win the national race,” Hodge told the Baptist Message. “I was happy to represent my church, Temple Baptist, and the state of Louisiana. I’m thankful for our RA program for teaching me more about Jesus and how it gives me extra time to spend with my dad (Sam).” Gill, who won her race for the second year in a row, said she was grateful to have defended her title. “Winning the RA Derby car race for the second year in a row was a lot of fun, but what made it most meaningful was the attention it brought to Royal Ambassadors and the mission of … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – With hurricane season almost here, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief State Director Stan Statham said churches and residents must not delay preparations for the next big storm. “The forecast is for a slower season, but everybody has got to remember that it just takes one storm to be a bad season,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “Don't be lulled to sleep just because we didn’t have a hurricane here last season or the forecast is to be a slower season. Louisiana must be prepared.” The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a below-normal hurricane season, which runs June 1-Nov. 30. The agency is forecasting 8-14 named storms. Of those, three to six are forecast to become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes. Meanwhile, Colorado State University estimates 13 named storms will develop in the Atlantic basin, including six hurricanes and two major hurricanes that are Category 3 or higher. PLAN AHEAD Statham said residents should create a plan, stay inormed and put together a storm readiness kit. “We always think about hurricanes, but what if there’s a train derailment near your home and you had the police … [Read more...]

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By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Sheila Johnson became burdened years ago for the plight of young women who were asking, “Who am I?” Eventually her burden for helping these girls find the answer in Christ became a call to form the Uncommon One ministry, whose mission is to help young women “to seek and find their TRUE God-given identity.” Formed in 2022 with her friend Cindy Nardini, the Pineville-based group empowers, equips and en­courages young women via connection groups for 5th-12th grade girls. Licensed mental health profession­als offer mental health tips. Meanwhile, community service and outreach proj­ects as well as other events unite participants and inspire growth. Johnson, wife of Lou­isiana Speaker Pro Tem­pore Mike Johnson and a member with First Baptist Church, Pineville, said her background in coaching (she served as head wom­en’s basketball coach with Louisiana College, now Louisiana Christian Uni­versity) helped prepare her for this calling. She also is the career scoring leader of LC’s women’s basketball team which contributed to her 2006 induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. “I’ve always had a heart and passion for girls and letting them know … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer CAP HAITIEN, Haiti (LBM) – Easter weekend was extra special for four residents of Louisiana Reach Haiti (an orphan care ministry), who cel­ebrated their new lives in Christ during a special baptism service. In front of other LRH residents and staff mem­bers, the teens were bap­tized in a joint event with the congregation of the Baptist Church of the Dis­ciples, who baptized eight adults. The April 4 celebra­tion marked the first time LRH has baptized four people in one service. LRH President Darrin Badon, who was among 30 people present at the service, said the baptisms were the culmination of many years of pouring into the four youngsters by LRH staff, mission team members and himself. “They approached me when I visited with them in January about their decisions to finally accept Jesus,” Badon told the Baptist Message. “The baptisms were a great way to symbolize they died to their old selves and were made new to the Lord. I’m so grateful for all those who supported us, as you had a part in this.” Because they are all 18 years old, the four new be­lievers have “aged out” of the Children’s Village that LRH operates and have moved into a nearby house that will be home … [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 CORRECTION: In the April edition of Notables in the Baptist Message, it stated Mike Schultz was the new senior pastor at Woodland Park Baptist Church, Hammond. That was incorrect. Kevin Hess is the new senior past at Woodland Park Baptist Church. The Message apologizes for the confusion. Kevin Woodson is the new Worship Minister at Judson Baptist Church. Matt Simmons is the new Family Care Minister at Amite Baptist Church. Monte Rowse has resigned as pastor of First Baptist, Hackberry to assume the position of senior pastor Highland Park Baptist Church, Texarkana, Texas. Michael Stringer moves from interim to pastor at Countryside Baptist Church Bill Lott moves from interim to pastor at Ida Baptist Church, Michael Naquin is the new pastor … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – George and Polly Marshall have heeded a call to distribute hundreds of free hand-made cross­es painted with a simple message – “Jesus loves you,” they shared in an interview with the Baptist Message. They also said that through this effort that began Oct. 31, 2025, doz­ens have come to Christ and hundreds more have prayed with them as well as with members of var­ious churches who man “pop up” locations on shopping center parking lots throughout Central Louisiana. The Marshalls serve as missionaries with Al­pha-Omega Missions (a ministry that reaches in­dividuals with the Gospel in the U.S. and Mexico and receives support from multiple Baptist church­es) and are members with Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Melder. “Almost no one will turn down a free cross and we use that as a way to pull them into a conversa­tion about Jesus,” George Marshall offered. “We don’t talk long but do say a quick prayer of encourage­ment and share the Gospel. “We’re not pushy and aren’t here to debate,” he continued. “We just show them the love of Jesus.” The Marshalls, who minister throughout Mexico several times a year and spend the re­mainder of their time in … [Read more...]

  By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – During its May 5 meeting, the Louisiana Baptist Convention Ex­ecutive Board received updates on Cooperative Program giving and the ongoing work of the four convention entities. BUDGET REPORT Board members learned that gifts through the Cooperative Program from January to March totaled $260,289.85 more than the 2026 budget for these three months. However, when compared to the same timeframe in 2025, churches have given $85,582.16 less through CP so far this year than last year. ENTITY REPORTS LCU Louisiana Christian University President Mark Johnson shared that his recent inauguration as the school’s 10th president was a chance to bring the com­munity together. He noted that the university has made signif­icant progress in reducing its budget deficit through stronger financial steward­ship, careful evaluation of spending, improved opera­tional efficiencies and stra­tegic leadership decisions across multiple areas of the institution. Johnson also said the athletic department sees opportunities for future growth through the possi­ble addition of new sports programs, while graduate and online education con­tinue to gain momentum … [Read more...]