By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The “Here for You” multi-media outreach strategy continues to see Gospel fruit according to Louisiana Baptist Director of Communications John Kyle.
“The seeds scattered through our ‘Here for You’ campaign are begging to sprout,” Kyle said.
Launched statewide in 2019, “Here for You” is attempting to impact the estimated 2.85 million people in Louisiana who do not have a relationship with Christ. Using various media platforms including broadcast television, streaming services and social media, viewers are directed to a website where they can view a Gospel presentation or search for a local church. Through a partnership with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the communications team receives a monthly report indicating the number of visitors to the Graham-designed landing page, along the with the number of views of the Gospel presentation and how many people indicated a decision for Christ.
“In late 2024, we worked out a new follow-up process with the Graham organization where, roughly every six weeks, we receive the names and email addresses of those who provided enough information to follow up,“ Kyle said. “We’ve developed a process where we reach out to them via email and congratulate them on their decision for Christ. We also encourage them to get involved with a local church and offer to send them a list of Louisiana Baptist churches in their area if they provide their zip code.”
Kyle said that those making decisions are also offered a Bible, if they’ll provide their mailing address. “We assure them that their address will not be shared or sold,” he added.
Since the launch of the updated follow-up process, the Communications team has received nearly 50 names and email address, and Kyle noted that several of those have requested a list of area churches and a Bible.
“When we received these names, we also forward them to our 260 ‘Here for You’ prayer partners who pray for them to follow through on their decisions and get involved in a church near them.”
Kyle noted that since 2019, the year Here for
You launched statewide, baptisms have increased in Louisiana (excepting 2020 and 2021, when some churches did not baptize because of COVID-19 concerns).
“While I cannot draw a straight line between the increase in baptisms and ‘Here for You,’ I can tell you the only thing we’ve done differently, to my knowledge, or added since 2019, is ‘Here for You,’” Kyle said. “When we sow the seeds of God’s truth, His word will not return without accomplishing that which He desires. Another way to put it is, God doesn’t waste His word.”
Supported through the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering, the goal of ‘Here for You’ is to direct people to the Gospel and to the church. Churches are encouraged to visit LouisianaBaptists.org/hereforyou to discover ways they can let their communities know their congregations are behind this effort.
