By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, has announced he will retire in October 2026. Luter, who shared about his retirement during an Oct. 19 service that celebrated his 39th anniversary with FABC, said he is grateful to the 65 members who voted to call him as pastor while he was a young street preacher from the Lower Ninth Ward. He also expressed appreciation for being a part of a church that has persevered through four building programs, the COVID pandemic and Hurricane Katrina. During his ministry with FABC, Luter was elected as the first African American president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and he has seen the church baptize 6,500 new believers, according to church records. “Just looking back on from when it started to up until now, it’s been a joy pastoring Franklin Avenue,” Luter told the Baptist Message. “To see what God has done in this church, with a guy who never pastored before, and then being a part of a church that grew to be one of the largest churches in the state has been a blessing. “And I look at it as God rewarding my faithfulness,” he continued. “I’ve been thankful to God, to His Word, to my … [Read more...]
Messengers to take up resolutions at annual meeting
RESOLUTION 1: ON EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION WHEREAS, Many individuals and groups have had a part in planning, preparing and conducting the 178th annual meeting of our Louisiana Baptist Convention; and WHEREAS, The messengers of this Convention desire to warmly recognize and express appreciation to the following: Carrow Rasberry, facility director for the Randolph Riverfront Center and her staff for their assistance with details and for providing the use of their facilities for this annual meeting; and Dr. David Goza, Convention president, who is pastor of Jefferson Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, for his warm, gracious spirit in leading, speaking and listening to Louisiana Baptists this year, and his gentle firmness in moderating this annual meeting; and Jefferson Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, for their commitment to sharing the Gospel in our state by graciously supporting Dr. Goza’s leadership of all the churches of the Louisiana Baptist Convention this past year; and Cullen McDaniel, music director for this annual meeting, who is the minister of music with Jefferson Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, for planning and coordinating the music, and the musicians and singers for their contribution of instrumental and vocal talents; … [Read more...]
Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week fast approaching
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists will have the opportunity to join thousands across the world to share the ultimate gift to children in other countries through Operation Christmas Child. Formed in 1993 by Samaritan’s Purse, OCC allows churches and individuals to bring gift-filled shoeboxes to relay stations across the country that are then processed and shipped to local partners around the world with a means of reaching out to children in their communities with the good news of Jesus Christ. National Collection Week is Nov. 17-24. “These gifts open the door for us to share God’s love and the eternal hope of the Gospel with children and their families who are living in desperation and fear,” Samaritan’s Purse President and CEO Franklin Graham said in a statement. “The world is changing, but the message of the cross doesn’t change—bringing the hope of the Gospel to millions, especially the living hope of Jesus. Our mission never changes.” Louisiana Christian University, in its fifth year of participating in OCC, is among those participating in the effort. The school has been selected by Samaritan’s Purse as a university the organization is sponsoring for the … [Read more...]
Pastors Conference: Hope and encouragement
By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Organizers of this year’s Louisiana Baptist Pastors Conference hope to offer pastors a day of encouragement, Nov. 10. “Every pastor, including this one, never gets enough encouragement,” Pastors Conference President and East Leesville Baptist Church Pastor Tommy Kiker told the Baptist Message. “The ministry is incredibly wonderful and rewarding but it can be incredibly burdensome. So, we need to get our encouragement in Christ and one another.” Scheduled to meet in the Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexandria, the annual gathering’s theme is “Be Encouraged.” The program will begin, 9 a.m., with music led by the East Leesville Baptist Church worship team and their Minister of Music Matt Blankenbaker. Todd Strain, pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, and Philip Robertson, pastor, Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville, will be among the speakers headlining the event. After lunch, the conference will continue, 2 p.m., with an afternoon session featuring messages by Ken Whitten, national director of pastoral leadership, North American Mission Board, and Mark Johnson, president, Louisiana Christian University. Nathan Lino, pastor with First Baptist Church, Forney, … [Read more...]
‘Here for You’ campaign sees fruit from seeds
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The “Here for You” multi-media outreach strategy continues to see Gospel fruit according to Louisiana Baptist Director of Communications John Kyle. “The seeds scattered through our ‘Here for You’ campaign are begging to sprout,” Kyle said. Launched statewide in 2019, “Here for You” is attempting to impact the estimated 2.85 million people in Louisiana who do not have a relationship with Christ. Using various media platforms including broadcast television, streaming services and social media, viewers are directed to a website where they can view a Gospel presentation or search for a local church. Through a partnership with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the communications team receives a monthly report indicating the number of visitors to the Graham-designed landing page, along the with the number of views of the Gospel presentation and how many people indicated a decision for Christ. “In late 2024, we worked out a new follow-up process with the Graham organization where, roughly every six weeks, we receive the names and email addresses of those who provided enough information to follow up,“ Kyle said. “We’ve developed a … [Read more...]
Children & family champion Hancock to retire from LBCHFM
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Perry Hancock has led the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries through creation of a foster care and adoption network, Compassion Center, ministry for homeless women and their children, a women’s learning center and the minister care residential program during his 22 years as president and CEO. As he reflected on fond memories ahead of his February 2026 retirement, Hancock said he is thankful for the way God has used the LBCHFM to share the hope of Christ with others on campus and beyond. “The years (my wife) Tonya and I have spent at the Children’s Home have been an incredible blessing,” Hancock, who announced his retirement to the Louisiana Baptist entity’s board of trustees on Sept. 25, told the Baptist Message. “This ministry has given us the privilege of living out our calling in very tangible ways by serving children and families in need. We have built friendships and relationships that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. The Children’s Home is now woven into the fabric of our family’s story and for that we are truly grateful.” PATH TO MONROE Hancock has served as leader of the LBCHFM since July 1, 2003. Prior to … [Read more...]
New believer at 85: ‘It’s never too late!’
By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – For 85 years H.L Davis was in church on Sundays and was surrounded in his home (as a child and adult) by other believers. He even was baptized as a boy in Mississippi, thinking he was saved because of it. But after months of the Holy Spirit pricking his heart during worship services with Philadelphia Baptist Church Horseshoe Drive, he was convicted that he needed to truly surrender to Christ. So, Sept. 15, 2025, at age 85, he walked forward during a revival service (also, PBCHD) and confessed his sins and professed his love for Jesus. “I hesitated, thinking I would be the only old person down front with all these young people,” Davis told the Baptist Message. “I had put it off for months, but God kept speaking to me. Finally, when He said it’s time to get up, I stepped out.” FAITH OF OTHERS Davis had a mother who, he said, was saved before he was born. His father regularly attended church but did not confess Christ until the age of 45 when he sent for a pastor and professed Jesus as Lord while on his deathbed in a hospital. Davis also met his wife in church after his family had moved to Louisiana. “There were quite a few youths in the … [Read more...]
YOUNG: Greetings From Turkey Creek!
2025 LBC: Messengers will be urged to ‘Connect’
By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Messengers will be challenged with a theme of “Connect” during the 2025 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, to be hosted Nov. 11 in the facilities of the Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexandria. “Connect 25, the annual meeting of Louisiana Baptists, is a great time to connect,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “Some will come to connect with friends. Some new connections will be made. We will all connect around the preaching and singing. We will have the opportunity to connect with our cooperative missions and ministries. Make plans to come for the start of the Pastor’s Conference on Monday and stay to the end on Tuesday afternoon.” LBC President David Goza, pastor with Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, echoed the thought, urging Louisiana Baptists to attend. “It has been a privilege to serve as president of the LBC for the last two years,” he said. “With all the turmoil in the world and division in our country, it is my prayer that as we come together for this year’s convention and we will unite as a church family. We are the people of the truth. May God’s Word sound forth from our Convention and our … [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 Alton Achord is available for supply pastorate in the Central LA area. Please call Achord at 318.715.8874. Zach Anderson is the new pastorat Westside Baptist Church. Cory, wife Sami, Tucker is the new pastor at First Baptist Church in Coushatta from Bellaire Baptist Church. Jason Glasscock is the new associate pastor at Old Zion Hill Baptist Church, Independence, La. Bill Reid, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Ruston retired at the first of October. Brian Britt, Youth Minister of Calvary Baptist Church, Ruston has resigned to serve as Pastor at a Baptist church in South Fork, Colorado. Weldon Baptist Church, Bernice voted unanimously call Michael Brookover as Pastor. Scott O’Rear, pastor of Belle Park, Haughton, to New Chapel Hill, … [Read more...]
