By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Recently released information that updated the Annual Church Profile database for 2023 shows that the number of baptisms performed by Louisiana Baptist congregations jumped to 8,770 in 2023, a surge of 2,020 more baptisms, or 31.1 percent above the numbers for 2022.
This growth nearly doubles the 1,060 additional baptisms reported in 2022 (6,690), which was an 18.8 percent rise above 2021 (5,630). 
The Southern Baptist Convention also reported increases for both years, almost 26 percent in 2023 and about 16 percent in 2022.
The soaring LBC numbers coincide with what has been described as a “rebound” from the COVID pandemic in 2020, but also occur with the launch of a soul winning emphasis by Louisiana Baptists that was announced preceding the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting, which was held in New Orleans. 
In May 2023, LBC Executive Director Steve Horn shared with LBC Executive Board members his desire to restore a “culture of evangelism” among Louisiana Baptists. His vision accompanied the announcement of Send Network Louisiana, a church planting partnership (launched in August 2023) with the SBC North American Mission Board that includes a God-sized task to see His Kingdom expanded in Louisiana by one percent over the next decade.
Researchers estimate that 62.4 percent of 4,648,794 Louisianans are lost (or, 2,789,276).
If successful, 28,875 Louisianans will be added to the Kingdom through 231 new churches planted in the state by 2033 (based on each reaching 125 people with the Gospel). These salvations will be in addition to those recorded by already established Louisiana Baptist congregations.
