By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Jarrod Muller had his dream job as pas­tor with Riverside Bap­tist Church, River Ridge, until God called him to tell the story of Loui­siana Baptists as state communication director. Muller, who began his new role July 1, said that while he was enjoying being a part of a church where he accepted Christ and was baptized, he also realized the opportunity to come alongside Loui­siana Baptists and share how they are reaching the state for Jesus. “Through prayer and discernment, I really believe God opened this door for this position,” Muller told the Baptist Message. “It wasn’t any­thing I was necessarily looking for, but when the Lord brought it my way I surrendered that to Him.” A native of New Or­leans, Muller became a Christ follower at eight, was baptized at 16 and surrendered to ministry while at a church camp when he was 18. He served for more than 16 years, collec­tively, with churches in Louisiana and Missis­sippi. Prior to serving with Riverside Baptist Church, he was a col­lege ministry intern with Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Madison, Mis­sissippi, and community outreach intern with The Journey Church, Jackson, Mississippi. He also … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer CAMERON, La. (LBM) – More than five years after Hurricane Laura and Delta caused significant damage to the facilities of First Baptist Church, Cameron, the congregation has finalized plans to move forward with a rebuild of their facilities. In January, Cameron Parish officials approved permits that allow the church to construct a new worship center and educational space, facilities that sustained significant damage from Hurricane Laura in August 2020. The church received its first payment of $47,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in June and expects to break ground this fall with completion sometime in 2027. The project has been delayed in part because of federal bureaucratic snafus and a slowdown by federal agencies caused by Congress’s extended delay in passing budgets for the Department of Homeland Security which oversees FEMA. PERSEVERANCE Since January 2021, members have met for Sunday worship in various locations in the communi­ty, including the Cameron Parish Police Jury build­ing, the Lighthouse Bend Restaurant and, currently, the Cameron Multipurpose Building. Most Sundays attendance averages 20- 25 people in person and online. They also meet … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists spent their summer on mission for Christ, welcoming children into their facilities for Vacation Bible School. Through these efforts, they saw many of these youngsters make decisions for Christ in what is considered the largest “simultaneous” evangelistic outreach across the Louisiana Baptist Convention. GOLA VBS Twelve students from the state’s Baptist Collegiate Ministries gave up most of their summer breaks to sow the Gospel through VBS events held in Louisiana and Wyoming by participating in GOLA (Go Louisiana) VBS, an LBC BCM emphasis that allows students to share God’s love while conducting VBS minis­tries with churches. Through late July, the team reported 60 decisions for Christ. The Louisiana team was comprised of members from Louisiana Christian University, Louisiana Tech, Northwestern State University and Southeastern Louisi­ana University BCMs, who served, May 28-July 16, with First Baptist Church, Morgan City; First Bap­tist Church, Leesville; Longview Baptist Church, Deville; Community Bap­tist Church, Youngsville; Ridge Avenue Baptist Church, West Monroe; Indian Village Baptist Church, Kinder; SweetWa­ter … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcom­ing revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Chuck Pourciau, pastor at Broadmoor, Shreveport, retiring September 1 after 27 years. Brad Gill is now dual director of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry with Louisi­ana Christian University and Louisiana State University of Alexandria. Joe Michael Price is the new student minister at Grayson Baptist Church. Kevin, Malanie, Ulmer is the new pastor at Tioga First Baptist Church, Tioga. Ulmer will continue to serve as Louisiana Baptist evangelism strategist. Andrew Gott is the new pastor at Little Pass Baptist Church, Charenton. Bruce, wife Erin, LePoint is the new associational mission strategist for the Carey Baptist Association. There will be a meet & greet July 30 at 6 p.m. at the Trinity Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Jarrod, wife … [Read more...]

By Louisiana Baptist Foundation staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBF) – The Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees met June 23 to conduct the business of the entity, with Ray Swift, director of pastoral leadership for Louisiana Baptists, providing a devotional message rooted in Psalm 13. INVESTMENTS Representatives from Graystone Consulting presented their report to the Board, highlighting the Foundation’s overall growth in its investments, ongoing adherence to its investment policies and discussing market forecasts for the remainder of the year. Jared Price, the Foundation’s Executive Director, reported that as of May 2026, the entity’s assets under management had exceeded $339 million, the annualized yield for the short-term fund was 4.5 percent and the group investment fund’s year-to-date performance was 7.6 percent while its trailing 12-month performance was 16.9 percent. AUDIT The Board approved the independent audit, presented by Becca Nation, certified public accountant with Payne, Moore & Herrington in Alexandria, which stated that the Foundation’s financial statements presented fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the entity as of Dec. 31, 2025. OPERATIONS Price reported that … [Read more...]