By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News
PINEVILLe, La. (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University is joining the Louisiana Baptists on a statewide Together Tour in 2026 to promote commitment and cooperation among churches and other Southern Baptist organizations across Louisiana.
“My goal in these meetings is to hear from all concerned,” said Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn. “What can we do better? What are we committed to doing moving forward? What should we be doing that we are not doing? What are we doing that Louisiana Baptists want us to stop doing? Where have we lost trust in this cooperative endeavor to do more together than we can do by ourselves?”
Horn said that this is not a plea to give more, but rather an opportunity to listen to all member organizations.
“We are listening to what you want to do cooperatively as we think about the next 100 years. At the same time, hear me say, ‘we cannot continue to do what we are doing without addressing the situation.’ “
In 2008, Louisiana Baptists gave $22,650,020 through the Cooperative Program. In 2024, Louisiana Baptists gave just over $17,000,000.
“We may not be at a crisis, but we are certainly at a crossroads,” Horn said.
LCU President Mark Johnson said he will travel with Horn to stand with the Louisiana Baptist Convention and support the shared mission God has given Louisiana Baptists. An important part of that mission is Christian higher education at LCU, the only Southern Baptist university in the state.
“This tour is about unity, trust, and advancing the Kingdom together,” Johnson said. “Louisiana Christian University exists because churches believed Christian higher education matters. I want our leaders to hear my gratitude for their prayers and support and to know that we are committed to faithful stewardship and a strong future.”
This past year, LCU provided $7,500,000 in funded and unfunded scholarships to support young people who are in real need. Louisiana Baptists are helping those students, and the Cooperative Program is the engine that makes that possible.
“As we continue to travel across the state, my hope is that more pastors and leaders will come, listen and also speak into our work, sharing ways we can improve and strengthen what we do to better advance the Kingdom of God, together,” Johnson said.
There will be approximately 40 listening sessions around the state in 2026.
Upcoming dates for the Together Tour include:
Jan. 29, 6 p.m.
Mt. Olive Association
First Baptist Church, 117 S 12th St., Oakdale
Feb. 2, 9 a.m.
Beauregard Association
First Baptist Church, 2030 Highway 171, DeRidder
Feb. 3, 11 a.m.
Bayou Macon/Madison Baptist associations
First Baptist Church, 608 E Main St., Oak Grove
Feb. 5, 11:30 a.m.
North Central Baptist Association
First Baptist Church, 201 East Court St., Winnfield
Feb. 12, 11 a.m.
Northwest Baptist Association
Woodridge Baptist Church, 850 E Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport
Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m.
Bienville/Webster Claiborne Baptist Association
North Acres Baptist Church, 1852 Lewisville Road, Minden
Feb. 19, 9:30 a.m.
Northeast Louisiana Baptist Association
Association Office, 7103 DeSiard St., Monroe
Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m.
Delta Baptist Association
First Baptist Church, 100 N Hickory St., Vidalia
Feb. 26, 10 a.m.
Rural Church Pastors Meeting
TBD
March 2, noon
Gulf Coast Baptist Association
Forest Restaurant, 1909 Main St., Franklin
March 2, 6 p.m.
Evangeline Baptist Association
Youngsville Community Church, 4129 Verot School Road, Youngsville
March 7, 8 a.m.
NOLA – Spanish
Iglesia Christiana Filadelfia, 12131 Florida Blvd suite C and D, Baton Rouge
March 9, 6:30 p.m.
Deer Creek Baptist Association
March 17, 6:30 p.m.
LaSalle Baptist Association
March 19, 10 a.m.
Baton Association of Greater Baton Rouge Office
April 21, 6:30 p.m.
Bayou Baptist Association Association Office
4494 West Main St., Gray
May 20, 10:30 a.m.
New Orleans Baptist Association
May 21, noon
CenLA Baptist Association
For the latest information about dates and locations, visit the Together Tour website.
