By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) – During the upcoming state Evangelism Conference, Jan. 26-27, hosted by First Baptist Church, Lafayette, speakers will urge Louisiana Baptists to reach their friends and family for Christ. “ECON continues to be a valuable time of equipping and encouragement for pastors and church members,” Louisiana Baptist Evangelism and Church Growth Director Keith Manuel told the Baptist Message. “I hope everyone will make plans now to attend. It will help you begin the new year with a clear focus and a renewed commitment to reaching the lost and strengthening a culture of evangelism in your church.” SCHEDULES ECON kicks off at 1:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon with featured messages by Leroy Fountain, church planting catalyst, Louisiana Baptists, and David Burton, founder, David Burton Ministries, Middleburg, Florida, and worship led by David Logan and Adam Watson from First Baptist Church, Covington. Breakout sessions are scheduled during the dinner hour with free meals available (please register) during the presentations: -- The Discipleship Collaborative will feature Larry Hyche, global missions associate, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, who will … [Read more...]
Church self-insurance coop receives $1.45 million from Louisiana
By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – On Nov. 17, the Fellowship of Louisiana Churches and Nonprofit Religious Organizations received a $1.45 million check from the Louisiana Department of the Treasury to support the launch of a church self-insurance program. The program was authorized by legislation in 2023 and a total of $2.9 million was appropriated in 2025, half of which is represented by the check that was received. With the receipt of these funds, the goal is to open enrollment to churches and religious nonprofits sometime in the second quarter of 2026. FINANCIAL BOOST Steve Horn, president of the FLCNRO board of directors and executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, told the Baptist Message that receiving the grant “is an incredible blessing.” “I received a first call about church insurance companies not renewing our churches in February 2023. Almost immediately, Will Hall, Dale Lingenfelter, and I started working on solutions,” Horn explained. “We are not at the finish line, but receiving this grant is the result of hours of meetings and phone calls. All along the way, God provided us with people who showed us incredible kindness and expertise to navigate … [Read more...]
Louisiana Notables
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 Scotty Blackwell resigns as music minister at First Baptist Church, Minden to go be Pastor of Worship Ministries at Kingsland Baptist Church, Katy, Texas. Wade, wife Rebecca, Penefield is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Many. There will be a Pastor Installation Service on Sunday, December 21st. Russell Hinson is the interim/transitional pastor at First Baptist Church, Livingston. Zach Anderson is the new pastor at Westside Baptist Church, Natchitoches. REVIVAL Liberty Christian, Colfax: Harvest Sunday, December 14, 2025. Evangelist: Scotty McDowell. Pastor: Deric Cox. Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Hineston: Revival, January 18-21. Evangelist: Scotty McDowell. Pastor: Eugene Williams. Eastvue Baptist Church, Jena: Revival, January … [Read more...]
YOUNG: Some too-early Thanksgiving thoughts
Collins to retire from NSU BCM after 36 years of faithful service
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NATCHITOCHES, La. (LBM) – For nearly four decades Bill Collins has helped students on the Northwestern State University fulfill the Great Commission. Collins, who is set to retire March 31, 2026, from his role as NSU’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry director, said he is thankful for the chance to see so many students who have been a part of the ministry become warriors for Christ. “I always believe that you should take yourself out of the game before someone has to take you out of the game,” Collins told the Baptist Message. “I know I had probably a few more years left but really felt God leading me to go ahead and step down to allow a younger, more energetic person to come in and be able to do some new things. “This is a new generation of students, and somebody younger, a little closer to their life experiences, is going to be able to help them formulate some new programming,” he continued. “I really believe this the best thing for the NSU BCM, for my wife Phyllis and myself. And of course, we’re not retiring from ministry, just retiring from the NSU BCM.” During his time at NSU, Collins has seen students come to Christ, discipled and sent on mission trips. He … [Read more...]
EVANGELISM 101 (Part 11): Demolishing obstacles to soul winning
By Mike Bergeron, special to the Baptist Message NEW ORLEANS (LBM) -- Some studies indicate that as few as 10 percent of professed Christians share the Gospel regularly, with “regularly” meaning only about one time per month. What is the “brick wall” that seems to stand between many professed Christians and them sharing the Gospel? An informal survey, November 2025, of SBC pastors (small churches to megachurches), along with seminary professors, and associational directors of missions and church planters (across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Missouri) sought their opinions about the top reasons why so many Christians today either never or rarely share the Gospel. Below are their candid responses combined with biblical passages to tear down each brick in the wall. NOTE: Scriptures are from the NKJV translation of the Bible. Not Vibrantly Walking with Christ: Too many Christians seem content to remain spiritually shallow in their own walk. Some feel disqualified to share the Good News because of personal sin in their own lives. 1 Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you; with meekness and … [Read more...]
Former slave girl experiences freedom with ‘Louisiana Reach Haiti’
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer CAP HAITIEN, Haiti (LBM) – Louisiana Reach Haiti ministry leaders recently welcomed a 12-year-old Haitian girl who had been just freed from slavery. The transformation of Esther from a girl held captive to one who now experiences the love and compassion of Christ has been yet another blessing for a ministry that in 2023 had to seek refuge in Cap Haitien after gang-ravaged Port-au-Prince became too dangerous as a homebase. “When I met Esther after she was brought to us by her rescuers, Haiti’s child protective service, she shared about her love for the other children and her new life here,” LRH President Darrin Badon told the Baptist Message. “We’re just loving her and sharing the Lord’s goodness with her. “Our calling is to help any child that we can and ultimately reunite them with family,” he continued. “While reunification won’t happen with Esther, we can show God’s love to her for the many years she will be with us and prepare her, spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally for the future. “I know God has placed her with us because He knows that we love our kids and that we can defend those kids against the evils of the world. Their spiritual health is … [Read more...]
LBC entities report achievements, plans
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Messengers to the 2025 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 11, held in the Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexandria, heard encouraging updates from their four entities. LBCHFM Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries President and CEO Perry Hancock expressed gratitude to Louisiana Baptists for their support that has impacted more than 12,800 children the last two years alone. He updated messengers about the Bridges of Hope residential program (that offers short-term care for foster children transitioning into long-term programs), Women’s Learning Center (that helps women obtain high school equivalency diplomas); Orphans Embrace (reaching Haiti through a children’s home in that country); Granberry Counseling Centers; Connect1Child (foster care and adoption ministry); and HomePlace (ministry for homeless women and their children). Hancock made special mention of the Compassion Center which opened four months ago. He said it has served more than 11,000 people and distributed 4,000 Gospel tracts, so far. The 16,000-sq.-ft. facility located on the Monroe campus provides food for 1,200 families each month. “We … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptists enjoy worship, fellowship, conduct business
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists enjoyed fellowship and worship during the 2025 LBC Annual Meeting, Nov. 11, hosted by the Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexandria. BUDGET APPROVED Messengers approved the 2026 financial plan, based on Cooperative Program contributions of $16,925,460, a decrease of $455,348, or 2.62 percent. Cooperative Program projections are based on actual receipts from August 2024 through July 2025. The allocation formula for distributing CP gifts between Southern Baptist entities and Louisiana Baptist causes remains unchanged, 62.87 percent to support ministries in the state and 37.13 percent forwarded to fund national entities. MOTIONS Messengers considered two motions. A motion by Keith Sheridan, a messenger from First Baptist Church, Franklinton, presented a motion to amend bylaw Article 3, Section 6 concerning the committee on resolutions by adding the sentence “recommended resolutions may not be amended and must be adopted by a two-thirds vote.” The motion was referred to the Executive Board, who will report its findings during the 2026 Annual Meeting. A motion had been made during the 2024 LBC Annual Meeting by messenger … [Read more...]
Pastors Conference: Be encouraged
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – During the 2025 Louisiana Baptist Pastors Conference, Nov. 10, held in the Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexandria, speakers offered words to encourage pastors. TODD STRAIN Todd Strain, pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, spoke during the opening session from Matthew 6:16-18 and encouraged pastors to consider fasting. “I believe for us today if we fast before the Lord as He has called us to do, I believe we will experience His power and provision,” he said. Strain shared that fasting, which is mentioned more than 80 times in the Bible, is an expression of our longing for God, that it will be rewarded, and in volves a plan. Strain said that while the reward from fasting is answered prayer, we also will receive His presence by doing so. “More than His provision, we need His presence,” he said. “The reward from fasting is we get His presence. When we have His presence, we have all we need.” Before fasting, Strain said to define a timeframe such as sunup to sundown, decide to give up something like food and find various times to pray throughout each day. “Overall do a heart check,” he said. “What is God calling you to? Are … [Read more...]
