By Gene Mills, Louisiana Family Forum president BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Public policy matters, especially regarding the health and growth of families, the basic building block of any flourishing society. As we have seen throughout history, as goes the family, so goes the culture. Unfortunately, for too long this fundamental principle has been more of a talking point than a driving force when it came to tax policy in Washington. However, as recently as 2017 the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), was enacted, making sweeping changes to tax policy. But it was the re-prioritization of the family in it that was the most significant accomplishment. Two provisions made an immediate impact on working families—a doubling of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) from $1,000 per child to $2,000 and an Employer Tax Credit (ETC) for businesses which offer Employee Paid Family Leave (45S). Further, both provisions are prime examples that it is possible—even essential—to promote strong family policy through reasonable tax policy. Both the CTC and the ETC are overwhelmingly supported by voters on both sides of the aisle, and both have proven to be essential support for families during the unpredictable inflation during 2017-present. Now Congress … [Read more...]
2025 Q1: Send Network Louisiana yields 141 decisions, 68 baptisms
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Send Network Louisiana churches celebrated a Gospel harvest to start the new year, producing 141 decisions for Christ and 68 baptisms by 44 church plants during the first three months of 2025. Additionally, the church plants reported 1,234 Gospel conversations and an average of 64 in weekly worship attendance, according to a recent first quarter report by Send Network Louisiana. Send Network Louisiana Director Lane Corley said the partnership with the North American Mission Board, which went into effect Aug. 1, 2023, has helped the state further its God-sized vision to see His Kingdom expanded in Louisiana by one percent over the next decade. “The Gospel continues to advance to new people in Louisiana through church planting,” Corley told the Baptist Message. “We also continue to engage every people group with new Hispanic, Asian, Arabic and multiethnic works. Replanting continues to be a major priority with dozens of churches in need of radical revitalization. We need planters, re-planters and partner churches for opportunities all across Louisiana.” Researchers estimate that 62 percent of approximately 4.6 million Louisianans are … [Read more...]
LBC EC: Seek, strengthen, cooperate
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – During the May 6 meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board in the Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center, Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn encouraged members to be passionate about reaching the state for Christ. EVANGELISTIC VISION In his report, Horn highlighted the Convention’s vision statement seek the lost, strengthen churches, and support cooperative missions and ministries. Seek the lost Horn said Louisiana Baptists continue to see spiritual fruit through various evangelistic endeavors in the state: -- 8,415 baptisms in 2024; -- 75 congregations participated in John 3:16 Sunday (19,000 business-sized cards about the Gospel were mailed and distributed by them for the March 16 evangelistic outreach effort; -- Youth Evangelism Celebration (501 spiritual decisions, including 108 to accept Christ); -- mass evangelism crusades in Beauregard, Grant, Livingston and Ouachita Parishes; -- “Here for You” multi-media campaign yielded 7,864 views of the Gospel via commercials on TV or social media, with 244 trusting in Christ in 2024, while 3,379 views have yielded 14 decisions for Christ so far in 2025; … [Read more...]
Louisiana Notables
The Baptist Message provides the 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 Christian, wife Lorraine, Charrier is the new student minister at Parkview, Monroe John, wife Kristi, McKenzie is the new pastor at Pine Grove, Bastrop, Patricia Crawford is the new children’s Minister at Summer Grove in Shreveport. Ronney Joe Webb, Missions, Family Ministry at First Baptist Church, has resigned to become Director of Missions, Jones County, MS. Tim Purvis is the new Children to Family Pastor at Summer Grove, Shreveport. HOMECOMING Pine Hill Baptist Church, Leesville: 132-year homecoming celebration. Guest Speaker: Jason Lupold, The homecoming service on June 1, will begin at 10 AM. There will be a meal after the service in Christian Life Center. Pastor: Keith Dowden. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, DeRidder: 150 Anniversary, June 1, Sunday School, … [Read more...]
Baptist leaders celebrate CP’s 100th anniversary
By Baptist Message staff MEMPHIS, Tenn. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn and Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee Trustee and past Louisiana Woman’s Missionary Union President Carolyn Fountain joined Baptist leaders from across the nation, May 13, to sign a Declaration of Cooperation that celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program. Seventy-three of the more than 175 individuals gathered inside Renasant Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee, made it on stage to sign the document on the podium once used by M.E. Dodd, pastor with First Baptist Church, Shreveport (1912- 1950), who brought the idea of the CP to Southern Baptist Convention messengers in 1925. According to The Baptist Paper, the event was held exactly 100 years to the date, time and nearby location (the Ellis Auditorium, which is no longer standing) of the launch of the CP and included representatives from all Southern Baptist national entities and every state convention. Additionally, various ethnic groups, pastors, pastors’ wives and other women serving in ministry positions as well as the current SBC officers also gathered for the celebration. DECLARATION OF COOPERATION WHEREAS, Upon the … [Read more...]
From pulpits to politics: LCU president leads bold season of growth and outreach across Louisiana
By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - From the church pulpit to the governor's visit, softball fields to ribbon cuttings, Louisiana Christian University President Mark L. Johnson has spent the spring months fully immersed in advancing the mission of LCU across Louisiana and beyond. Since early spring, Johnson has logged over 10,000 miles, meeting with donors, visiting churches, attending alumni events, and championing the cause of Christian higher education throughout the region. And his official start date of June 1 isn’t even here yet. Johnson was unanimously voted in as LCU’s 10th president in February by the Board of Trustees. "It's been a rich and rewarding season," Johnson said. "The Lord is opening doors for LCU, and we're stepping through them with boldness, vision and gratitude." Celebrating students remained a top priority. Highlights included the LCU Ring Ceremony, spirited support for the university's softball and baseball teams, and special graduation recognitions for student-athletes. Café Du Monde celebrations and engaging theatrical productions added joy and creativity to campus life. Of campus, Johnson preached at churches across Louisiana, spoke at the Director of Missions … [Read more...]
Harmon sibling trio to graduate from LCU in May
By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - For the Harmon family from Lafayette, it’s three times the celebration this May 10, when all three siblings will graduate from Louisiana Christian University. Jonn, 22; Jess, 21; and Jade, 22, will all earn their bachelor’s degrees in the commencement ceremonies taking place in Guinn Auditorium on the Pineville campus, May 10. Jonn will earn his Bachelor of Arts in accounting and plans to work on his master’s in accounting. Jade is completing a double major in biology and chemistry, plus a minor in accounting, and will enter optometry school in the fall. Jess will receive his Bachelor of Science in biology with a chemistry minor. He, too, plans to continue his studies, going to physician’s assistant school and specializing in forensics. Jess said he got interested in the field from playing a video game and then getting a job working at the Louisiana Forensics Center. “They handle homicides and suspicious deaths,” he said. “I took notes and cleaned up. Fun times!” The three—who definitely argue like siblings—said going to college together has actually brought them a lot closer together. “We didn’t have a lot of classes together before college,” Jess … [Read more...]
Franklin Parish, CENLA retreats harvest souls
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer POLLOCK, La. (LBM) – Twenty-eight men from Franklin Parish recently committed to step-up and follow Jesus during a men’s retreat at Camp Grant Walker in Pollock. On the final day of the spiritual encounter, March 27-29, the men rejoiced as they were baptized in Big Creek on the camp property. “When people just bear their soul, they get honest, and God takes a hold of them; there’s nothing more exciting than seeing the change,” retreat co-organizer Marc Kelly told the Baptist Message. “And we never get tired of it.” Bubba Smith, another member of the retreat leadership team, added: “The very first time we walked into the camp area, I looked at Big Creek and said ‘It would be cool if God allowed us to baptize men right there in this creek.’ It has become a special place for our retreat guests, and we have seen many baptized there.” BACKGROUND The retreat was one of two Central Louisiana men's retreat ministries hosted in March. The other, held March 20-22 at Clara Springs Baptist Camp in Pelican, resulted in 11 men coming to Christ and later being baptized in their home churches. CENLA women recently completed a retreat, April 2-4, at Clara Springs where 17 women … [Read more...]
North Monroe men’s retreat is a time of soul winning
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 MONROE, La. (LBM) – For months, staff and lay leaders with North Monroe Baptist Church prayed for the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of 40 men who would be attending a men’s retreat, March 14-16. God answered those prayers when 16 men stepped forward for baptism during an NMBC morning worship service on the final day of the event, while more made other life-changing decisions for Christ. “These men got away for a weekend and experienced the peace from other men who knew Jesus and had that life change,” NMBC Director of Facilities and Men’s Ministry Jeff McPherson told the Baptist Message. “And they wanted to have what those men had. “It’s hard to wrap my head around what the Holy Spirt does each time we have a men’s retreat,” he continued. “We make these plans … [Read more...]
Funeral arrangements released for Seal
By Baptist Message staff BOGALUSA, La. (LBM) - Funeral arrangements have been released by Nelda Seal, former Louisiana Baptist Woman's Missionary Union director who passed April 28. According to her obituary, Seal's visitation will be held May 1, 9-11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Bogalusa, with the service afterward. Burial will take place at Bonnie Cemetery in Angie following the service. Janie Wise, who worked with Seal as a member of the Louisiana Baptist missions and ministry team, said she left behind a legacy of training others in furthering the Great Commission and a love of missions. “She took seriously the promotion end of it,” Wise said. “That’s what motivated people to give. And she taught us the same thing.” Wise had fond memories of traveling the state with her and learning new details about churches. “She knew the state upwards and backwards,” she said. “It would always play into the churches we passed. She knew the history of Louisiana missions so well.” She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Henry Lavelle Seal; her parents, Hermon Crotwell, Sr. and Eula Summers Crotwell; siblings Hermon Crotwell Jr., Dalton Crotwell, and Gloria Crotwell Graham. She is survived by her sons, Ryan B. Seal (Tonia) … [Read more...]
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