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LBDR on stand by for Texas flood deployment

July 7, 2025

By Baptist Message staff KERR COUNTY, Texas (LBM) – As the country continued to mourn and pray for those impacted by the July 4th weekend deadly flood in Texas Hill Country, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams were on stand by. LBDR Strategist Stan Statham told the Baptist Message that two shower units were ready if needed. “Pray for the families who have lost loved ones,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “Pray for the first responders who are still searching for those missing.” Nearly a foot of rain caused catastrophic flash flooding on Independence Day morning in Kerr County, engulfing structures and leading to the deaths of at least 80 individuals. Among those were 27 children, counselors and director of Camp Mystic, a private Christian camp situated along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt. The camp released a statement on its website: “Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly. We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from community, first responders, and … [Read more...]

Jimmy Swaggart, famed televangelist brought down by scandal, dies at 90

July 1, 2025

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Teen directs Tioga FBC VBS

July 1, 2025

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer TIOGA, La. (LBM) - While other teenagers may have headed to the beach or theme park at the end of the most recent school year, Andrew O’Neal, 14, chose instead to spend some of his summer directing the Vacation Bible School with Tioga First Baptist Church. Despite being a teenager, O’Neal combined his love for VBS with his personal experiences as the son of a former VBS director to coordinate a fruitful week. In the end, one of the 51 children who attended accepted Christ, with more making other spiritual decisions during the evangelist outreach, June 23-27. “It had been in the back of my mind for several years of doing this,” O’Neal told the Baptist Message. “When we didn’t have anyone to direct VBS, I felt like the time was now, and I took on this opportunity.” O’Neal has served in various volunteer roles as a member of the congregation and enjoyed giving back as VBS director, with coaching from his mom, Claire, who served in that role from 2012-22. “I've really found a place here at the church and love serving,” O’Neal said. “So I feel very comfortable and very fulfilled when I come and work up at the church.” His mother added that she felt comfortable handing … [Read more...]

July proclaimed as month of prayer in Louisiana

June 30, 2025

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE (LBM) - Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has signed a proclamation designating July as a month of prayer. Introduced by State Sen. Rick Edmonds, pastor with First Baptist Church, McComb, Mississippi, the proclamation calls “upon the people of Louisiana to come together during the month of July in a season of prayer and fasting, seeking God’s blessing, protection, and wisdom for our state and nation.” Jay Johnston, pastor with First Baptist Church, Melville, and leader with the digital prayer site,  Somebodyspraying.com, said he is grateful for the state’s recognition of the importance of calling on the Lord. “There is no more urgent time to seek Him than now,” Johnston told the Baptist Message. "The world still stands in the shadow of wars, threats of war, and a growing spiritual unrest. So many souls remain unsaved, and so many prodigals need to return. May the Lord burden our hearts so that we go out and share Jesus, and as we go, let us be faithful to pray for an increase of laborers. May the churches of Louisiana recognize our desperation for God, and we call upon Him to work in our families and churches, to bring healing to our state, to forgive us of all our sinful ways, and to unify … [Read more...]

NCAA bans Christian song: LSU’s Curiel speaks out after CWS win

June 30, 2025

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RPSO warns about scam targeting churches

June 27, 2025

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning for CENLA churches, cautioning them to be mindful of a new scam targeting them. According to the RPSO Facebook page, they were notified of the scam, June 27. “Apparently there is someone out there going through the trouble of identifying the members of the board of directors of churches and then sending emails to the church office, in hopes of acquiring the entire church membership directory,” RPSO posted. “For clarity, they did not hack the board member's email account or steal their identity.  Rather they obtained the email address from open source and sent an email with the request. “We want to warn our followers to always check the email address when information is being requested from you. If you have not heard from this person requesting this information, give them a call to make sure it is them. “In our busy times, we sometimes answer emails without really paying attention to the email address. Most of the time the scammers invent an email address that looks very similar to the legitimate email address of the requestor. “Always delete emails that look suspicious.” … [Read more...]

Price named LBF executive director

June 25, 2025

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana Baptist Foundation board of trustees has announced that Jared G. Price has been elected the 10th executive director of the entity, a ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. “I am grateful for the trust the board has placed in me and honored to continue serving Louisiana Baptists in this new role,” Price told the Baptist Message. “I remain fully committed to our current strategic plan, the LBF Vision200, which aims to advance the Kingdom with $200 million or more in 20 years or less. Five years in, I’m encouraged to share that we have already seen a cumulative impact of over $76.9 million. As we look ahead, my prayer is that we continue to be good and faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to us and a trustworthy partner for Louisiana Baptists.” The announcement followed a unanimous vote by the board of trustees on June 24 after careful consideration of Price’s nomination by a search committee comprised of board members and chaired by Wendell Whetstone. Price, who assumes his new role on July 1, succeeds Jeffrey Steed, who retired as the Foundation’s executive director on May 31. Whetstone said Price’s qualifications … [Read more...]

Temple Baptist RA wins national Pinewood Derby at SBC

June 10, 2025

By Baptist Message staff DALLAS (LBM) – Callen Breaux, a sixth grader from Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, recently won the national Royal Ambassador Pinewood Derby. Held June 9 prior to the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, the race featured 11 participants from around the SBC who competed inside the exhibit hall. Breaux, who won the Louisiana Baptist RA Congress Pinewood Derby race in April after competing in the state competition for two years previously, expressed excitement about coming in first place on the national level. Additionally, Louisiana Baptist Women’s Missions and Ministry Strategist Christine Gill won the Pinewood Derby race against other Woman’s Missionary Union state directors. RA Consultant Keith Gates (also a member of First Baptist Church, Winnfield) coordinated the event and Goldonna Baptist Church’s RA ministry provided the track. “I was really surprised and excited at the same time,” Breaux told the Baptist Message. “I just wanted to compete. Never thought I might win.” Breaux’s win marked the second consecutive year a Louisiana Baptist has won the national RA Pinewood Derby. Josiah Jones, then a fifth grader from Quitman Baptist Church, won the 2024 national Pinewood … [Read more...]

LCU President Johnson begins tenure with 100-day P356 tour of community

June 4, 2025

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University’s 10th President Mark Johnson officially took office June 1, and he has started his tenure with a 100-day challenge. The P356 TOUR is an ambitious, dynamic 100-day initiative designed to enhance the presence and impact of LCU across Pineville and surrounding communities, while fostering deeper engagement with alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students and the local population. Through a series of 100 strategically planned events, this tour will underscore the university’s mission of trust, leadership, and community building. The 100 events will take place across June, July and August, with the goal of strengthening relationships, raising visibility and raising funds for LCU’s future development. Inspired and rooted by Proverbs 3:5-6 ("Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path"), the P356 TOUR will emphasize four key pillars: Worship – Trusting in the Lord through communal worship and spiritual engagement, as we lean on His understanding to guide the path of the university and its community. Scholarship – Fostering academic … [Read more...]

Arrest of armed man prevents possible shooting at Bellaire Baptist

June 3, 2025

By Baptist Message staff BOSSIER CITY, La. (LBM) – An armed man was arrested after he entered a worship service at Bellaire Baptist Church June 1. According to KTBS-TV Shreveport, Christopher Dewayne Strong was arrested on the scene after church security detained him. Strong entered the worship center and climbed onto the media platform in the back of the room during the 10:15 am service. The sound technician quietly alerted church security, though the congregation remained unaware of the incident as it occurred. Strong, who brought a gun and backpack full of ammunition into the building, faces multiple charges including illegal carrying of a weapon, simple battery and terrorism. Bellaire Baptist Executive Pastor Jeff Harper told the Baptist Message that the church is thankful its security team quickly addressed the situation and that the Bossier City Police Department responded promptly. “We are grateful for God’s protection Sunday,” Harper said. “Our security team deescalated the situation. Thankfully, our security personnel were able to keep the worst from happening.” … [Read more...]

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Editorial

Am ambassador for Christ

A spiritual revival often begins with a sense of dissatisfaction, a realization that something is missing in your life. Have you experienced that? … Read More

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