By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists enjoyed fellowship and worship during the 2024 LBC Annual meeting, Nov. 12, hosted by Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport. BUDGET APPROVED Messengers approved the 2025 financial plan based on Cooperative Program contributions of $17,380,808, a decrease of $699,761, or 3.87 percent. Cooperative Program projections are based on actual receipts from August 2023 through July 2024. The allocation formula for distributing CP gifts between Southern Baptist entities and Louisiana Baptist causes remains unchanged, 62.87 percent to support ministries in the state and 37.13 percent forwarded to fund national entities. MOTIONS Messengers considered four motions, unanimously approving one that established a day of prayer for Louisiana Christian University on the first Sunday in February (submitted by Terry Young, pastor, Airline Baptist Church, Bossier City). Young submitted two other motions regarding LCU. He withdrew one motion that asked Louisiana Baptists to use prayer, more funding, and student recruiting to reaffirm their dedication to and partnership with the school. His third motion, asking for a special annual offering for … [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 Jim Alan Calvert is the new Pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, Metairie, LA. Pastor Calvert’s rst day in the pulpit was November 3, 2024. Charles Ebarb is the new music minister at South Bossier Baptist Church, Bossier City. POSITION SOUGHT Hodge Baptist Church in Hodge, LA is seeking a full-time pastor. Please mail resumes to Pastor Search Committee in c/o Hodge Baptist Church, P O Box 340, Hodge, LA 71247 or email to: hodgebaptist@yahoo.com. Pastor: College Drive Baptist Church in Pineville, LA is seeking a bi-vocational pastor. Please mail resumes to Richard Bullock, 515 Sandy Hill Lane, Pineville, LA 71360 or email gmbull50@yahoo.com. Pastor: HOMECOMING/ANNIVERSIES Riverview Baptist Church, Alexandria: Homecoming, Nov. 17, 9:30 a.m. Guest … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – Hours before the 2024 presidential election, Speaker Mike Johnson paid visits to three Louisiana Baptist churches to thank them for their prayers and encourage them to continue the fight for Judeo-Christian values. “We’re at a crossroads as a nation and the foundations are being destroyed,” Johnson said during a visit to Airline Baptist Church, Bossier City, Nov. 3. He also spoke at First Baptist Church, Haughton, and Plain Dealing Baptist Church. “It’s as if the metaphorical walls of the city have been burned to the ground and foreigners from outside are coming and having the spoils,” he continued. “We’re past the point of just a contest between Republicans and Democrats anymore. Right now, we're in a battle between two completely different visions of who we are as a nation and who we’re going to be.” Johnson, a member of Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, said for the last year he has traveled the country and recruited others who share his vision and burden for a nation that has been under assault. “What we’re doing right now is we’re trying to preserve those foundations and preserve everything that comes from it – the ideas of individual … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Don Mayes, who served as superintendent of Parkview Baptist School for the last 12 years, has resigned. According to school Director of Advancement Jessica Province, Mayes resigned Oct. 28. A letter was sent to parents informing them of the announcement. “Throughout his tenure, Dr. Mayes was instrumental in guiding Parkview Baptist School,” Province said in a statement to the Baptist Message. “With Dr. Mayes at the helm, Parkview Baptist School fostered an environment that reflected our mission, ‘… to seek first the Kingdom of God while providing students with a Christ-centered, college preparatory education that guides students to grow and mature in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man.’ Under his leadership, we saw tremendous growth both on our campus and in each of our students.” The news comes after Mayes had been placed on a leave of absence in mid-October, though he was not accused of any criminal wrongdoing, the school said in a statement on Oct. 14 to WAFB-TV Baton Rouge. “There is no criminal wrongdoing on Dr. Mayes’ part,” the school said at this time. “This action is part of an ongoing internal review, and we want to assure the community that the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Lillian Peterson recently got an inside look at Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief field operations as an intern who responded to multiple hurricanes. Through a partnership between churches and LBDR, Peterson was able to get a taste of relief activities while participating in responses to Hurricanes Beryl, Francine and Helene. “I’ve taken the FEMA courses which have helped me a lot in learning about disaster responses, but this gave me the chance to see up close how a disaster relief organization works,” Peterson told the Baptist Message. “Also, I saw how communities come together in a disaster, and I was able to be the hands and feet of Jesus by serving them, which is what I’ve always said I wanted to do.” Peterson, who is a member with Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, and a Louisiana State University of Alexandria general studies major with a concentration in disaster science and emergency management, worked with the incident command center and assisted deployed feeding units at multiple sites. She enjoyed learning how LBDR conducts day-to-day operations and experienced how those who experience a disaster enjoy having someone to listen to … [Read more...]