By Baptist Message staff INDIANAPOLIS (LBM) – Josiah Jones, a fifth grader from Quitman Baptist Church, recently won the national Royal Ambassador Pinewood Derby in the same city where the famed Indianapolis 500 is held each year. Held June 9 prior to the 2024 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, the race featured eight finalists from around the SBC who competed inside the exhibit hall. Jones, who won the Louisiana Baptist RA Congress Pinewood Derby race in March, expressed excitement about coming in first place on the national level, and thanked Louisiana Baptist Men’s Ministry Strategist Stan Statham and Southern Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union consultant for RAs, Challengers and Youth on Mission Keith Gates (also a member of First Baptist Church, Winnsboro) for coordinating the event. “It was a unique and fun experience,” Jones told the Baptist Message. “I’m thankful to my church, Quitman Baptist; my pastor, Brother Donald Rudd; and my RA leader, Corey Rowe, for making this possible through RA Congress.” … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, has a series of scheduled events to coincide with a 150th anniversary that will give members a chance to remember their storied past as well as look to a hopeful future. “First Baptist Church Baton Rouge has stood as a beacon of faith, hope and love for a century and a half,” FBCBR Music Minister Christian Vige told the Baptist Message. “This milestone is not just a marker of time, but a celebration of countless lives transformed, hearts touched and communities served. It’s a time to reflect on the rich history of the church, honoring those who laid the foundation of faith and those who have continued to build upon it. “The sesquicentennial anniversary provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the church's journey and renew our commitment to the mission and vision that God has placed before us for the future,” he added. “As we look back on the past 150 years, we are reminded of the countless ways God has worked through our church to spread His love and message.” EVENTS The church will kick off its anniversary with “Stars, Stripes and Sounds: A Patriotic Musical Celebration” July 4 at 7 p.m. The event will … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Instead of going to the beach or amusement park for spring break, middle school students from Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, chose to stay home for a mission “trip.” By the conclusion of their April 2-4 effort in Alexandria, the 25 sixth through eighth grade students, plus 10 adult leaders, were reminded they do not have to travel to another part of the United States or thousands of miles overseas to share the Gospel and show the love of Christ to others. “We talk about missions and a lot of our middle schoolers think it’s overseas,” CBC Middle School Minister Anthony Work told the Baptist Message. “But missions also are in our backyard. Our Jerusalem is right here in Central Louisiana. We brought to light that they can serve and pour out in those places that are familiar and need Jesus’ love too.” The team shopped for food items and supplies that they used to fill boxes for the Fostering Community, a local non-profit organization whose mission is “to improve the lives of children impacted by foster care through advocacy, resources, and support.” The students also toured and spruced up the CENLA Pregnancy Center building and grounds; … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Jacob Crawford is on a mission to help Louisiana Baptists meet a goal of expanding God’s Kingdom in the state by 1 percent over the next decade. As a new Send Network Louisiana church planting strategist, Crawford is excited about how planting 231 new churches by 2033 could reap eternal fruit. “I really believe we can see a movement take place in our state as people come to know Jesus and more disciples are made and churches are planted across the state,” Crawford told Baptist Message. “Our heart is Louisiana. We want to see Louisiana come to Christ. “Louisiana Baptists have continually blessed my family and the churches that we planted over the years. We have experienced first-hand the amazing work of God that results from the prayer, partnership, and participation of Louisiana Baptists. This is a wonderful opportunity to serve Louisiana Baptists and seek to have a Kingdom impact in the state.” A veteran church planter for 18 years, Crawford started Life Point Community Church, Mansura (2006-2020). During that time, he saw the church grow from 10 to over 250 and baptize 435. Through the years, he served in a variety of other ministerial … [Read more...]