RESOLUTION 1: ON THANKING GOD FOR THE SUPREME COURT’S PRO-LIFE RULING IN DOBBS V. JACKSON WHEREAS, Scripture reveals that all human life is created in the image of God, and therefore sacred to our Creator (Genesis 1:27; 9:6); and WHEREAS, The Bible affirms that the preborn child is a person, bearing the image of God, from the moment of conception (Psalm 139:13–16; Luke 1:44); and WHEREAS, Louisiana Baptists have historically recognized the sanctity of life in the womb and repeatedly reaffirmed our pro-life ethic, our opposition to the heinous act of abortion, our support for abortion-vulnerable women as well as our commitment to the sanctity of marriage and the health and growth of families; and WHEREAS, Louisiana Baptists have prayerfully sought God’s favor in moving the nation’s highest court to affirm the truth that life begins at conception and that the preborn are worthy of dignity and protection; and WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization to overturn its harmful decisions in Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992); which, combined, led to more than 63,000,000 preborn lives lost during the past 49 years; and WHEREAS, The Louisiana … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – Executive Board members adopted a proposed amendment to the Louisiana Baptist Convention Articles of Incorporation, Sept. 27, that allows a church to contribute solely to state causes and still be defined as a church in cooperation with the LBC. Previously a church was required to support Southern Baptist causes in order to be in friendly cooperation with the LBC. In his report, Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told the Board that 26 of about 1,600 Louisiana Baptist congregations have in[1]structed that their cooperative missions and minis[1]tries contributions must be used only in the state with none of their gifts to be forwarded to the Southern Baptist Convention. The moves by the 26 Louisiana Baptist churches adds to a growing trend among state Baptist convention congregations: -- Earlier this year, the Missouri Baptist Convention adopted a “Plan B” which allows churches to withhold funds from selected SBC entities without withdrawing from CP support altogether, according to the Missouri Baptist Convention’s newspaper, The Pathway. About 217 congregations were choosing to withhold funds from the SBC as late as Aug. 2. -- … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – During a Sept. 27 meeting, Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board members approved the 2023 Cooperative Program giving plan and were updated on the ongoing work by the Convention’s four entities. BUDGET APPROVAL Board members approved the business and finance committee’s 2023 financial plan based on Cooperative Program contributions of $17,578,009, a decrease of $48,127, or 0.27 percent. Cooperative Program projections are based on actual receipts from August 2021 through July 2022. The allocation formula for distributing CP gifts between the Southern Baptist Convention and Louisiana Baptist causes remains unchanged, 63.26 percent to support ministries in the state and 36.74 percent forwarded to fund national entities. The budget will be presented to messengers for approval during the 2022 LBC Annual Meeting, Nov. 15, in the facilities of the Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria. ENTITY REPORTS Louisiana Baptist Foundation President Jeff Steed said in the last 12 months more than $2.2 million in special gifts have been established that benefit churches and other ministries, and that the Foundation’s short-term fund during that same timeframe … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Trey Robertson will be ordained to the ministry on October 16 at 6 p.m. at Downsville First Baptist Church. Craig, wife Ovina, Forque is the new pastor of New River Baptist Church, St. Amant. Morgan McCallister resigned as pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, West Monroe. Duane Moreno resigned from Magnolia Baptist Church, Saline due to health reasons. Lacie Strange is the new children’s ministry assistant at First Baptist Church, Haughton. Taryn Kocurek is the new weekday preschool director at First Baptist Church, Haughton. HOMECOMING Goodwill Baptist Church, Oak Grove: Homecoming celebration, October 16, 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Lucas House. New Ebenezer Baptist Church, Castor: Homecoming, October 23. 10 a.m. Speaker: Luke Hockenjos, evangelist. Special Music: Stephen Dickerson. Pastor: … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer HAUGHTON, La. (LBM) - Koran Baptist Church, for many years, has worked to be a Gospel lighthouse to the community, state and world, but recently decided to take their commitment to a new level. Koran Baptist Church, which averages 150 in worship, felt led to increase their giving to state mission causes through the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering. In 2020 the church gave more than $12,000 but a year later increased that to $65,000 ($433 per person). Pastor Michael Reichard said the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes exposed the breadth of the need for Christ in Louisiana and his congregation subsequently felt led to give more to mission causes in the state. “The mission field is ripe, right here, and is filled with opportunity,” Reichard said. “If we don’t speak to them, who will? That’s why we give to missions in the state. “Our prayer is that God would give us the wisdom to know what to say and that He would not leave us alone until we obey,” he continued. “And we pray that God would continually motivate us -- not just once, but all the time.” Reichard said he feels blessed to be a part of such a mission-minded church whose efforts have translated into … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer DEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Two hundred sixty students kicked off the new school year with worship and a colored powder war at Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville. Importantly, the “Color Clash” evangelistic event was a catalyst for salvation decisions by 23 students. Student minister Andrew Barber said the event reinforced his students’ passion for reaching their classmates for Christ. “The students were just ready to go all in on bringing their friends,” Barber told the Baptist Message. “They were excited for the ‘stuff,’ but we were up front that we were going to share Jesus with everyone in that room; and they bought in.” Color Clash is Philadelphia’s biggest student outreach event of the year and features a Gospel presentation, giveaways and a chance for participants to engage in friendly battle using colored powder. The church prepared for the event with months of prayer and a mass distribution of flyers by Philadelphia students to classmates. The outreach effort proved successful as 125 first-time visitors attended. “When God answered, he answered in an incredible and intentional way,” Barber shared. “I had numerous students come up to me after with excitement … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) – An ongoing emphasis on evangelism and small groups has helped fuel steady growth at First Baptist Church, Lafayette. “During the last 12 months, the Lord has blessed the energy and effort we have put into what God has called us to do,” Pastor James Pritchard told the Baptist Message. “We have tried to cast a vision and make plans to do so in a biblical way. “While the Bible did not have the same exact methodology we have today, the principles of that methodology are the same,” he continued. “That includes a big emphasis on prayer – praying for Kingdom needs and for lost people – as well as intentional evangelism and small groups.” During the church’s most recent calendar year (Sept. 1, 2021-Aug. 31, 2022), they celebrated 155 baptisms, compared to 57 the previous year; and the most baptisms in any single year for the church, since 1998-1999, when they recorded 157. Moreover, the church has seen growth in Sunday school and worship. FBC Lafayette started 10 new Sunday school classes in 2021 and another 13 since January. The church also saw Sunday worship attendance increase from 870 in September 2021 to 1,078 in August 2022. RISING ABOVE … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Foundation Executive Director Jeffrey Steed will be the guest speaker at the First@First business leadership luncheon at First Baptist Church, Pineville, Oct. 6 at 11:45 a.m. “I am very honored to be a part of the First@First event tomorrow at First Baptist Church Pineville,” Steed told the Baptist Message. “I will be sharing some about the Louisiana Baptist Foundation’s ministry as well as sharing a devotional on Responding to Economic and Financial Turmoil.” Next month’s luncheon on Nov. 3 will feature Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Associate/Volunteer Mobilizer Mark Morelock, who was scheduled to speak at the Oct. 6 gathering but was deployed to help with Hurricane Ian relief operations in Naples, Florida. First@First is a ministry to the business leaders of Central Louisiana. Launched in 2015, the purpose of the monthly luncheon is to provide principles for leadership as well as encouragement and motivation to area leaders. The cost of the luncheon is $10. Reservations may be made by visiting https://fbcpineville.secure2.agroup.com/events/firstfirstaugust/2022-10-06+12%3A00%3A00. … [Read more...]