By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The world was a summertime mission field for 245 students from the state’s Baptist Collegiate Ministries. From serving at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center, in Vacation Bible School with Louisiana Baptist churches and a camp in Wyoming to working overseas alongside International Mission Board missionaries in Chile, Mexico, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and other undisclosed locations due to security concerns, the students relied on the Lord to help them be His hands and feet. “Through serving, students not only discover but also internalize their gifts and calling – experiencing firsthand what it means to share the Gospel, rather than just hearing about it,” Louisiana BCM State Director Mark Robinson told the Baptist Message. “It is a joy to watch them grow in confidence and boldness as they share their faith. At Louisiana BCM, our four pillars are Reach, Connect, Strengthen and Mobilize. We remain committed to mobilizing students with the Gospel to reach a world far from God.” GOLA VBS Ten students sowed Gospel seeds through GOLA (Go Louisiana) VBS in Louisiana and Wyoming. GOLA VBS is an LBC BCM emphasis that allows students to serve on … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists can celebrate multiple victories on key moral issues and social concerns resulting from measures that were passed or defeated during the 2025 Legislative Regular Session, with two directly impacting churches’ abilities to carry out essential ministries. CHURCH INSURANCE When Gov. Landry signed HB460 into law as Act 461 on June 23, he completed the legislative process for supplemental appropriations that include payment of $2.9 million to the Fellowship of Louisiana Churches and Non-profit Religious Organizations, the corporation that was established in 2023 to launch a church self-insurance program in response to the church insurance crisis in the state. FLCNRO is recognized as a nonprofit by the Louisiana secretary of state and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and its board of directors includes leaders in six state faith communities (Assemblies of God; Church of God in Christ; Home and Foreign Missions Baptist; Louisiana Baptist; Missionary Baptist; United Pentecostal). When the insurance program is launched it will be open to congregations of any Louisiana denomination as well as religious nonprofits. Several Louisiana … [Read more...]