By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The Baptist Message, Louisiana Baptists’ news service, will con­tinue publishing a print edition through December 2026, then begin dig­ital-only operations in January 2027. The transition from a print product has been studied since 2024, according to Will Hall, the Baptist Mes­sage execu­tive editor. “I conducted a Nehemiah Walk of our operations as well as looked at other Baptist newspa­pers around the country to better understand how to move forward with our ministry,” he said, noting that he also looked at generational trends in how individuals prefer to receive their news. “I also looked at various ways to structure a financial model that works for continuing the Baptist Message into the future,” Hall said. Finances are a considerable factor in the decision because the news service expects a $100,000 drop in revenue after 2026. Hall said the shortfall would have forced the Baptist Message to increase sub­scriptions by at least $5 per customer, adding that “prudence would dictate an increase of up to $10 per subscriber so that we would not be chasing funding all the time.” “I do not, and our trust­ees do not believe this is a cost our … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams are set to deploy in response to the destructive winter storm that devastated parts of the state over the weekend. LBDR State Director Stan Statham told the Baptist Message that an Incident Management Team will provide support, adding that a feeding team will begin preparing food that the American Red Cross will serve to 80-100 people at the Liller Maddox Marbles Community Center in Monroe. Statham said chainsaw teams have been activated in Louisiana and that he expected other state Baptist convention chainsaw teams will assist in operations that likely will last two to three weeks. He said Louisiana Baptists who are not part of the disaster releief organization can offer prayers for the teams that have been formed and for the victims of the storm. “Pray for safety of those impacted and also for those responding,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “We have had several deaths, so pray that the power gets back home, that the linemen working to restore power are safe and that our volunteers stay healthy and travel with no issues.” Statham said financial resources are needed, too. “Last year taxed us,” he … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer  MONROE, La. (LBM) - Though a winter storm may have prevented some churches from meeting in person Jan. 25, they still pressed forward with online services while others became the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities. Steven Kelly, association mission strategist with Morehouse and Northeast Louisiana Baptist associations, said he is not aware of any of the 71 churches in his two associations who were able to meet Sunday. “Basically, COVID prepared us for today,” Kelly said. “Most churches learned how to adapt when they couldn’t meet them and they just fell back to what they did in 2020. Some recorded a modified service earlier in the week, just in case they needed it. A number of others sought to do it live today.    “The problem with going live today was technical issues with Internet and power outages,” he continued. “Some that planned to do this were unable to. No pastor wanted to cancel but I am not aware of any church in our association that met in person. Ouachita Parish was hit hard with significant power outages and trees down. I have never seen an ice storm like this in my lifetime and we served as church planters in Iowa for three winters.”  Glenn Harrigill, … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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...]