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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

2026 SBC Annual Meeting highlights

By Baptist Message staff ORLANDO, Fla. (LBM) -- Southern Baptist Con­vention messengers and guests gathered June 9-10 in Orlando, Florida, to conduct business, elect officers, enjoy times of fellowship, receive updates on mission work done by Southern Baptists across the world and hear inspirational messages. NOLA NAMED 2034 SITE Messengers learned that New Orleans was chosen as the host site for the 2034 SBC Annual Meeting, June 13-14. Other future sites named include Houston, Texas, 2030; Anaheim, Calif., 2032 and 2037; and India­napolis, Ind., 2035. Next year’s annual meet­ing will be held in Indianap­olis, June 15-16. ELECTIONS Registration secretary Don Currence reported this year’s meeting made history with nine votes, including the Pastors Conference, representing "52,794 ballots that the team of 55 people counted the last three days." -- Willy Rice (pastor, Cal­vary Baptist Church, Clear­water, Florida), was elected SBC president after defeat­ing Josh Powell (pastor, Taylors First Baptist Church, South Carolina) received 5,217 votes (57.56 percent) to Powell’s 3,821 votes (42.16 percent). -- Craig Carlisle (director of missions, Etowah Bap­tist Association, Gadsden, Alabama) was elected first … [Read more...]

Janet T. Hoffman, national WMU president emerita, dies at 90

By WMU Staff BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Janet Thompson Hoffman, who served as president of WMU, SBC (2000- 2005) passed away June 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born July 12, 1935, in Tulsa, Okla. to Mildred Siler Thompson and James Scott Thompson. At age 11, she trusted Jesus as Savior, a faith from which she never departed. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University in 1956 and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1993. She served as a secondary school teacher (English, Speech, Spanish) in Texas. She was married to her beloved husband, Harvey W. Hoffman, Jr., for 63 years, walking beside him with grace, resilience, and unwavering commitment as he attended seminary and pastored 10 Southern Baptist churches in Texas and Louisiana. Hoffman gave generously of her time and energy to be a pastor’s wife while raising three children, creating a home where faith was not merely taught – it was lived. She treasured every moment spent with her children and later, her grandchildren. Hoffman wrote articles and books with the latest, ChristLight: Reflecting the Image of Christ in the Real World, published in 2004 by Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU). She held multiple … [Read more...]

Messengers adopt 2026 SBC resolutions

By Baptist Message staff ORLANDO, Fla. (LBM) – Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention adopted 11 resolutions during the first day of the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting, June 9-10: — On the 250th Anniversary of the United States and the Baptist Contribution to Religious Liberty honors “the legacy of Baptist forebears who courageously contended for religious liberty and helped secure the freedoms enshrined in the First Amendment.” — On Appreciation for the City of Orlando who “has warmly welcomed Southern Baptists with hospitality, professionalism, and a spirit of service.” — On Appreciation for Bivocational and Volunteer Pastors gives thanks for their “enduring ministry” and that they have “labored faithfully in churches to advance the gospel across the generations.” — On the Church’s Opportunity for Evangelism, Discipleship, and Care for Persons with Disabilities and Their Families urges churches to “develop or expand plans for inclusion of children, youth, and adults with disabilities.” — On Assisted Suicide and the Sanctity of Life calls upon pastors, churches and families to provide “compassionate, faithful presence to those who are suffering both physically and mentally, offering emotional, spiritual, and … [Read more...]

New SBC officers elected

By Baptist Message staff ORLANDO, Fla. (LBM) - Messengers elected a new slate of officers during the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. Registration secretary Don Currence reported this year’s meeting made history with nine votes, including the Pastors Conference, representing "52,794 ballots that the team of 55 people counted the last three days." -- Willy Rice (pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater, Florida), was elected SBC president, defeating Josh Powell, pastor, Taylors First Baptist Church, Taylors, South Carolina. Rice received 5,217 votes (57.56%) to Powell’s 3,821 votes (42.16%). -- Meanwhile, Craig Carlisle (director of missions, Etowah Baptist Association, Gadsden, Alabama) was elected first vice-president in a runoff vote, defeating Paul Purvis (pastor, Mission Hill Church, Temple Terrace, Fla.). Carlisle received 3,338 votes (65.92%) to Purvis’ 1,719 votes (33.95%). The other candidate in the earlier election was Larry Helms (pastor, Fort Lawn Baptist Church, Fort Lawn, S.C.). -- Allen Murray (pastor, Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, Supply, N.C.) was elected second vice-president in a run-off vote, defeating Ethan Jago, pastor, 5 Bridges Church, Panama City Beach, Fla. He received 2,342 … [Read more...]

Mohler amendment moves forward

By Baptist Message staff ORLANDO, Fla. (LBM) - Messengers voted to move forward an amendment that addresses the office and function of pastor. If approved next year, the amendment would amend the SBC constitution to "add an enumerated 6th item, under Article 3, Paragraph 1, defining composition. This new language would make clear that a cooperating Southern Baptist church: '6. Does not act to affirm, appoint, or endorse a woman serving in the office or function of a pastor/elder/overseer, specifically preaching to the assembled congregation.'" Al Mohler, a messenger and president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., proposed the amendment. The affirmative vote, June 10, on Mohler’s motion cuts one year from the approval process, bringing it to the floor during next year's SBC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Ind., for its second and final vote. The vote was 6,028 to 2,026 – 74.66% to 25.09% - in favor of the amendment. Mohler said by adopting this amendment, Southern Baptists can move forward on this issue “in unity and in truth.” “This amendment makes very clear that a church in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention doesn’t have anyone other than a man as pastor in the … [Read more...]

New Orleans named host site for 2034 SBC Annual Meeting

By Baptist Message staff ORLANDO, Fla. (LBM) - Messengers learned during the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting that New Orleans was chosen as the host site for the 2034 SBC Annual Meeting, June 13-14. Other future sites named include Houston, Texas, 2030; Anaheim, Calif., 2032 and 2037; and Indianapolis, 2035. … [Read more...]

Messengers adopt three resolutions on first day of SBC Annual Meeting

By Baptist Message staff ORLANDO, Fla. (LBM) - Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention adopted three resolutions during the first day of the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting, June 9. Additional resolutions will be considered by messengers during the June 10 session. The resolutions adopted were: -- On the 250th Anniversary of the United States and the Baptist Contribution to Religious Liberty honors "the legacy of Baptist forebears who courageously contended for religious liberty and helped secure the freedoms enshrined in the First Amendment." -- On Appreciation for the City of Orlando who "has warmly welcomed Southern Baptists with hospitality, professionalism, and a spirit of service." -- On Appreciation for Bivocational and Volunteer Pastors gives thanks for their "enduring ministry" who have "labored faithfully in churches to advance the gospel across the generations." … [Read more...]

Five from Louisiana say ‘yes’ to Great Commission call

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ORLANDO, Fla. (LBM) - The International Mission Board appointed 63 new missionaries in a sending celebration, including five from Louisiana. Among those were Justin and Meredith Sassard, whose sending church is Harvest Church, New Orleans. The names of three others from Louisiana could not be published because of security concerns. During a time of testimony, the Sassards shared that they met while serving as journeymen with the IMB three years ago. They then moved to New Orleans for Justin Sassard to attend seminary at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and joined Harvest Church in the city. “Our call to missions comes out of biblical preaching and discipleship within the churches we grew up in,” Meredith Sassard said. “Our love for the church grew overseas and while in New Orleans for seminary, our church in New Orleans, Harvest Church, is sending us out, and they are here with us today.” Justin Sassard added: “We desire to go to Spain to plant and strengthen churches in a place where there are so few biblical churches. Please pray for us as we make this transition.” Andrew Hanna, pastor with Harvest Church, expressed his appreciation for the Sassards. … [Read more...]