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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

‘Class of 2025’: Highest number of new church plants since 2016

By Brandon Elrod, NAMB communications BOSTON (NAMB) – A barber’s chair became an avenue for life change when church planting missionary Jacob Ambrose embraced an unexpected opportunity to obey the calling on his life. “It was a really difficult time as we were getting settled into our house and the community,” said Ambrose, who moved from Louisiana to Boston to plant a new church. “I was in a moment of frus­tration dealing with some of those things when I realized I needed a haircut. I just looked up a barber on Google Maps and went to his shop.” Shortly after Ambrose sat down, the man men­tioned God a couple of times. “Up here, people don’t just talk about Jesus or God,” he said. “So, I had to follow up.” The conversation turned to salvation and about the struggle to find a church. “He tells me, ‘I don’t know of a Christian church I can go to,’” Ambrose said. “And he’s cutting my hair. We had just moved to Tewksbury to start the exact church he wants to go to. I said, ‘Bro, you’re not going to believe this.’” His barber has since become one of nine peo­ple Ambrose has baptized since planting Valley Church in partnership with Send Network, the church planting arm of the North American Mission Board. Valley Church … [Read more...]

Cadwell named recipient of WMU’s top leadership award

By Julie Walters, WMU SBC communications BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WMU SBC) – Odelle Cadwell of Temple of Faith Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan is the recipient of the 2026 Dellanna West O'Brien Leadership Award, national WMU’s most prestigious leadership honor. “With over 40 years of involvement in WMU, Odelle has demonstrated exceptional personal integrity and a profound dedication to missions education,” said Marilyn Hopkins, emerita executive director of WMU of Michigan (1985-2008), who nominated her for the award. Cadwell began learning about WMU at her local church as a Mission Friends leader when her daughter was a preschooler. When her daughter moved up to Girls in Action, she began working with GAs and then Acteens. She was involved with missions camps at the state assembly as a leader and promoted missions opportunities and trips for youth in her church. As church WMU director, she championed churchwide support of missions offerings including Annie Armstrong, Lottie Moon, state offerings along with providing the prayer emphasis, book studies and missionary speakers for the church. Cadwell went on to serve as WMU director for the Greater Detroit Baptist Association until she was elected to serve as president of … [Read more...]

WMU Foundation supports and strengthens Christian Job Corps

By Tracey Gholson, WMU Foundation BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WMU Foundation) – Three Christian Job Corps (CJC) sites will be able to advance their ministry efforts thanks to recent grants from the WMU Foundation. Begin Anew CJC Growing, expanding and uplifting. These words describe Begin Anew CJC in Franklin, Tennessee. With the help of a site grant from the WMU Foundation, Begin Anew will support the salaries of a program manager and childcare coordinator who are essential for the continued success of the ministry. Begin Anew CJC offers free high school equivalency classes, English language learning, and computer and job skills classes. Without free childcare offered at the site, many students would not be able to attend classes. Recently, the program manager added a second weekday morning class so students would have greater opportunities for mentorship, instruction and language practice. “At the heart of the Franklin Campus is a thriving weekly community group that gathers for an hour before classes to foster deep connections between students and the dedicated volunteers who lead them,” said Pam Bryant, executive director of Begin Anew of Middle Tennessee. “This time of fellowship is more than just a meeting – it is a … [Read more...]