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...]
2025: LBC baptisms continue 5-year upward trend
By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Preliminary data for 2025 show that Louisiana Baptists’ baptisms continued to increase for the fifth straight year to 8,737, the largest number since 2018. This unofficial total reflects 76.9 percent of congregations reporting (1,143), 92 fewer than in 2024 (1,235) when 83.4 percent of churches submitted Annual Church Profile surveys. Baptism summary, 2018-2025: 8,737 (2025), 8,415 (2024), 8,331 (2023), 6,686 (2022), 5,634 (2021), 5,616 (2020), 6,951 (2019), 8,840 (2018). Every year there are different variables that influence the data reported via the Annual Church Profile survey, including the number of congregations that provide inputs. During the last seven years, Louisiana Baptists also were impacted by COVID 19 related restrictions on churches, 2020-2022, as well as by four hurricanes that struck the state in 2021. … [Read more...]
LCU to close due to expected winter weather conditions
By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Due to expected winter weather conditions, Louisiana Christian University has decided to cancel classes for Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 26-27. All campus offices will be closed. Hattie B’s will be open on a modified schedule for on-campus students. Officials will monitor weather conditions for Wednesday. Any further closures will be communicated. … [Read more...]
ECON 2026 cancelled due to impending extreme winter conditions
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...]
