By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Student ministry leaders and Baptist Collegiate Ministry campus directors were motivated to develop a strategy to help them continue discipleship of high school seniors as they embark for college or the workforce during the Forum. Held Feb. 23 at the Baptist Building in Alexandria, the Forum featured encouraging messages from keynote speakers Brian Mills, pastor of Together We Church, Yukon, Okla., and Anthony Vargas, student pastor at Together We Church, and a time of fellowship for the 36 student ministry leaders and eight BCM campus directors. Louisiana Baptist Youth Strategist Lee Myers said many churches report that seniors “check out” of their youth group and church before graduation and he hoped the Forum provided some tools to help them bridge that gap. “This year’s event was targeted towards the great senior drop-off that happens each spring,” Myers said. We wanted to address the issue of 12th graders in our ministries checking out before they head off to college or the work force. It was important that we have that conversation as Louisiana Baptists. We want to lead seniors to finish strong and stay involved in church and collegiate … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – First through sixth grade boys will hit the fast lane with Christ during the 2024 Royal Ambassador Congress, March 22-23, at the Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center, according to organizers. Keeping in step with the race car theme, the event will feature go kart racing, pit row (how to change a tire), classic car show and an encouraging message by “Champion Chaplain” Allen Huffman, the 2023 Southeast Super Truck Series champion. RA Congress also will include a Pinewood Derby, soap box races, breakout sessions with missionaries and a Gospel presentation. “RAs is a mission education ministry which seeks to teach and engage boys in first through sixth grade in missions,” said Louisiana Baptist Ministry and Disaster Relief Strategist Stan Statham told the Baptist Message. “One of the sessions will offer the RAs a chance to paint small wooden cars and pack them in gift bags with Christian-themed coloring books and crayons for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.” For more information or to download a registration form, please visit the RA Congress website. … [Read more...]