By Baptist Message staff (based on LBCHFM press release) MONROE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries trustees announced, Jan. 30, that David Jeffreys has been elected the next president and chief executive officer of the entity, effective Feb. 16. Jeffreys serves as vice president of denominational and church relations with Louisiana Christian University. A LBCHFM news release cited Jeffreys’ “wealth of experience in Christian leadership, ministry development and organizational oversight” and his “huge heart for children and families, his commitment to biblical values and his proven ability to lead organizations with vision, integrity and compassion [the hat] are visible in every role he has held.” The trustees also expressed confidence in Jeffreys’ leadership and calling. “We are grateful to God for leading us to Dr. Jefferys, his passion for ministry, servant-leadership, and love for people align perfectly with the mission of LBCH&FM. We believe God has prepared him for this season,” said Search Committee Chairman Bob Bozeman. LBCHFM Board Chairman Jason Lupo, pastor of First Baptist Church, Hornbeck, voiced his gratitude for the search committee and for Jeffreys. “It is … [Read more...]
Pastor escapes injury, parsonage serverely damaged
By Baptist Message staff TULLOS, La. (LBM) – Pastor Steven Smith is grateful for God’s protection after a tree fell a mere 15 feet from his bedroom in the parsonage of the Tullos First Baptist Church, Jan. 25. Smith said he was alone, 6:30 a.m., when he was “jolted” from his bed by the sound of a crashing tree. He immediately grabbed a flashlight and found nearby gaping holes and limbs where the tree had landed, and he discovered it missed by just inches a gas line that ran underneath the house. “As I was taking pictures of the incident there were still limbs falling from other trees all around,” Smith told the Baptist Message. “God was watching over me as always,” Smith told the Baptist Message. “I thank Him that no one was in the room that received the most damage.” Smith and others from the church were able to remove the tree, Jan. 26, and place a tarp on the roof the following day. They are working with the insurance company about the damage claim. … [Read more...]
CEC to equip collegians in apologetics
By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist collegiate ministry leaders hope to equip students to discuss apologetics as well as share their faith and beliefs during the upcoming Collegiate Evangelism Conference, set for Feb. 6-7 in Louisiana Christian University’s Guinn Auditorium, Pineville. CEC 2026 will feature three speakers: Matthew James, vice president of enrollment with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; Joey Smith, pastor of Grayson Baptist Church; and Tommy Kiker, pastor of East Leesville Baptist Church. Crescent City Worship, a collaborative team of NOBTS students, faculty, alumni and friends, will lead music. Students will have a chance to attend breakout sessions that center around the conference theme, as well as to ask representatives of Louisiana BCM GOLA Missions, the International Mission Board and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary about missions and ministry opportunities. CEC registration begins Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. with the main session starting at 7:30 p.m. The conference concludes Feb. 7 at 5 p.m. … [Read more...]
Lake Church brings freedom of Christ to community
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PRAIRIEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Lake Martin Baptist Church was on the verge of closing when they approached Jarrett Wells about replanting the church in June 2024. The once-vibrant congregation had dwindled to just seven members and felt Wells could help them better reach the community and ensure the church’s survival for many years to come. After several meetings and much prayer, the diminished Lake Martin Baptist Church congregation voted to merge with a group that was meeting in Wells’ home for Bible study and committed to start a fresh Gospel work in the Lake Martin community. “The heart of Lake Church is to bring the true freedom of Christ to this community, as well as show them that there is a church here that is really wanting to impact the community through the love of Christ,” Wells told the Baptist Message. “This is a story of two different groups of people going down two different paths that God brought together for one main purpose.” CALLED TO PLANT Wells, who previously pastored Oakview Baptist Church, Livingston, for 10 years, had taken an eight-month break from his role and in August of 2023 began hosting a Sunday morning Bible study in his home that … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams activated for winter storm response
By Baptist Message staff MONROE, La. (LBM) – The first Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been activated for a response to Winter Storm Fern. LBDR State Director Stan Statham told the Baptist Message that an Incident Management Team, chaplains and assessors already are on the ground in the Monroe area and that chainsaw teams will arrive on Jan. 31. A LBDR team will manage a site for teams working out of McClendon Baptist Church, West Monroe and while an Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief team will operate a site for volunteers at First Baptist Church, Delhi. Additionally, a feeding team from Rolling Hills Ministries is preparing food for an American Red Cross shelter at Liller Maddox Marbles Community Center in Monroe and for Emergency Operations Center workers in Richland Parish. Their team also will begin providing meals at a location yet to be determined in Lake Providence. Winter Storm Fern extended 1,300 miles and covered many communities with ice, sleet and snow, canceled flights, closed roadways, downed power lines and trees and contributed to at least 80 deaths. To give to DR efforts, visit https://louisianabaptists.org/about/teams/missions-ministry/disaster-relief/donate/ … [Read more...]
RAs saw growth in 2025
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Royal Ambassadors in the state experienced growth in 2025, and state leaders say the ministry is poised for another banner year. Attendance at the annual Survivor Camp saw its highest attendance since before COVID, and additional chapters were added. Additionally, Callen Breaux, a sixth grader from Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, won the national Royal Ambassador Pinewood Derby during the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Dallas, the second consecutive year the winner was an RA from Louisiana. Louisiana Baptist RA Consultant Steven Ancelet said he has witnessed first-hand how RAs has positively impacted boys to grow into Christ-like young men. “It has shaped their world view and what they can do to spread the Gospel,” Ancelet told the Baptist Message. “It seems that ministers and church staff are seeing the value in RAs also. Some churches have moved away from RAs in recent years and are now returning to it. “The special thing about RAs that separates it from other biblically based training for boys is that RAs has a mission focus,” he continued. “These boys understand that they can make a difference in the world through … [Read more...]
Baptist Message to go ‘digital only’ in 2027
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...]
LBC Disaster Relief teams to deploy
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...]
Apologetics 101 (Part 1): Evidence proves the Word from the beginning
By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor This is the first installment of a 12-part series about evidence that the Bible is truth. ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – There are two essential truths that undergird all Christian beliefs: you can place your full faith and trust in Jesus and you can place your full faith and trust in His Word. Indeed, the Bible declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” (John 1:1). So, the integrity of the Word and that of the Person of Jesus are inseparable. For those of us who believe, the power and truthfulness of the Word is revealed to us through our personal relationship with the Holy Spirit who was there at the beginning of creation (Genesis 1:1-2), but also is here now to dwell in us; testify to us about Jesus; convict us of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and speak truth to us, glorify Jesus and declare Him to us (John 14:16-18; 15:26-27; 16:7-15). Still, we are called to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,” (1 Peter 3:15). Obviously, the best defense we can give to anyone is the testimony of the Word through our transformed lives (exhibiting hope through Christ in … [Read more...]
Churches overcome ice storm via internet, other strategies
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...]
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