By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Churches around the state heeded a chal­lenge to share John 3:16 on March 16 and saw the Holy Spirit move through mes­sages, mission activities and crusades. Designated as a day for all Louisiana Baptist pastors to preach John 3:16, the initiative aimed to catalyze soul winning across the state. Leading up to March 16, congre­gations were encouraged to follow a special 16-day prayer guide, beginning on March 1, and included a Bible verse to reflect on for each of three recommend­ed times to pray (morning, noon and evening). Lou­isiana joined other state Baptist conventions for the effort, which were coordi­nated through the North American Mission Board. Beauregard, Big Creek, Eastern Louisiana and Ouachita Baptist Associ­ations were among those groups who scheduled evangelistic outreaches throughout the month to coincide with the special day. “I am thankful for every pastor and church par­ticipating in John 3:16 day,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “The innova­tive and specific ways that individual churches decided to promote the day was inspiring to see. “A few things that I genuinely believe were … [Read more...]

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 Heath and Jenny Peloquin has been called to pastor Rock Hill Baptist in Brownsboro, Texas and is leaving Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport. His last day at Summer Grove is March 30. Andrew, wife Lydia, Ardoin, is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, White Castle Ardoin is the new pastor at White Castle after spending 15 years in theforeign mission field. HOMECOMING New Hope Baptist Church, DeQuincy: Homecoming Celebration, April 6 - Coffee Fellowship at 8 a.m. and Worship at 10 a.m. lunch will follow the worship services. Guest Speaker: Charles Gibbs (former pastor). Worship Leader: Broken Vessels. Pastor: Roland Hebert. CRUSADES West Ouachita Crusade, March 30-April 2, 2025, 6 p.m. nightly. The Crusade led by Evangelist: Bill Britt and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. — Newly-elected Louisiana Christian University Presi­dent Mark Louis Johnson, Sr. has a bold vision to grow the school through fostering community for the Kingdom. “It’s not about me, it’s about us, all of us who make up the LCU com­munity,” Johnson told the Baptist Message. “We’re all doing this together, be­cause that’s the only way Louisiana Christian Uni­versity will grow. “It is a presidency, not a president,” he said. “I’m wanting to bring people to­gether to lead this institu­tion together. One person goes fast, but a community goes far.” Trustees of LCU elect­ed Johnson as the school’s 10th president during a meeting, Feb. 25. Johnson is a native of Anderson, Indiana, and has served as pastor of several churches, including Edgewater Baptist Church, New Orleans (2019-2021); chaplain for the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), New Orleans Baby Cakes minor league baseball team and Tulane University men’s basketball team; and missionary. He also is the author of multiple books, a former professional bas­ketball player in Europe and South America and a podcaster. He currently is an assistant professor of evangelism and pastoral ministry and the … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff KENTWOOD, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been deployed in response to a tornado that impacted Kentwood on March 15. According to LBDR Strategist Stan Statham, chainsaw teams, chaplains and assessors from Franklinton, First Baptist Church, Covington, and First Baptist Church, Kentwood began their response on March 16. The tornado that touched down in the Kentwood area damaged 30 homes and downed power lines and dozens of trees, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office reported. At least 40 people died in seven states after severe storms made their way throughout the South and Midwest, March 14- 15. AccuWeather reported that 52 tornadoes were reported, though not all storm surveys have not been completed. Additionally, wildfires in Oklahoma were responsible for four deaths. In Arkansas, an EF4 tornado (166-200 mph peak winds) was reported by the National Weather Service in Diaz (190 mph winds) and Larkin (170 mph winds). It is the first EF4 tornado recorded in Arkansas since 2021. A tornado that touched down in Troy ripped off part of a roof to the city’s recreation center gymnasium and caused severe damage to baseball fields at its sportsplex. It also caused heavy … [Read more...]

… [Read more...]