Louisiana
Louisiana Notables – Baptist Message
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
Andrew Ogea is the new pastor of First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge. His father, Reggie Ogea, has been Interim pastor at FBCBR since April 2023.
Kevin, wife Melainie, Ulmer is the new Louisiana Baptists evangelism strategist on the Evangelism/Church Growth Team. He begins on July 1.
Chuck Clinton is the new music minister at First Baptist Church, Greenwood.
Russell, wife Hope, James is the new youth minister for Bonita Road Baptist Church, Bastrop.
Kevin, wife Nichole, Seefried is the new student past at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, West Monroe.
Lane Noakes is the new youth minister at First Baptist Church, Dry Prong.
Riley Robertson is the new music minister at Victory Baptist Church, Monroe.
Jeff Hoffman, Pastor of FBC Arcadia, is the next Director of Missions at the Bienville & Webster-Claiborne Baptist Association. He replaces Randy Hales who is retiring.
REVIVAL
Topsy Baptist Church, Lake Charles: Spring Revival 2024, July 7-10, Evangelist: Scott McDowell. Worship: The Mackey Willis Family. Pastor: Lloyd Carroll.
Mitchell Baptist Church, Converse: Harvest Sunday, July 14. Evangelist: Bill Britt. Pastor: None.
Hurricane Creek Baptist Church, Dodson: Spring Revival 2024, July 14-19. Evangelist: Scotty McDowell. Pastor: Travis Hampton.
First Baptist Church, Keithville: Harvest Sunday, July 21, Evangelist: Bill Britt. Pastor: Mike Stowell.
Palestine Baptist Church, Grant: Spring Revival 2024, July 21-24. Evangelist: Scotty McDowell. Worship: The Mackey Willis Family. Pastor: Hardy Estes,
First Baptist Church, Princeton: Harvest Sunday, July 28. Evangelist: Bill Britt. Pastor: Darrell Cooper.
Welcome Home Baptist Church, Hebert: Spring Revival 2024, July 28-31. Evangelist: Scotty McDowell. Pastor: Jim McKeithen.
Bethel Baptist Church, Livingston: Revival, July 29-August 1. Evangelist: Malcolm Ellis. Pastor: James Courtney
LAGNIAPPE
First Baptist Church, Minden: June Jubilee – A collective worship concert, June 29, 6 p.m. Featuring: First Baptist Minden, First Baptist Pineville & LeCompte, First Baptist Church, Arcadia, City on a Hill Pentecostals, Jake Cowley, Point of Grance (June 29th only) and The Cox Family. Admission is free. Pastor: Leland Crawford.
Alto Baptist Church, Alto: GOD & COUNTRY DAY, June 30, 10:30 a.m. Speaker: Dr. Ralph Abraham. Worship: Brothers in Christ. A barbecue lunch will be served following the service. Pastor: Alan Miller.
First Baptist Church, Pineville: June Jubilee – A collective worship concert, June 30, 6 p.m. Featuring: First Baptist Minden, First Baptist Pineville & LeCompte, First Baptist Church, Arcadia, City on a Hill Pentecostals, Jake Cowley, Point of Grance (June 29th only) and The Cox Family: Admission is free. Pastor: Stewart Holloway.
First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge: The music department of First Baptist, Baton Rouge presents Stars, Stripes and Sounds, July 4, 7 p.m. Join us for an evening of celebration as we honor our country’s heritage, faith, and freedom through the power of music. Following the concert, head to the riverfront for spectacular fireworks display that will light up the night sky. Admission is free, and this event promises to be a great experience for the whole family. Come and be a part of this patriotic celebration. Pastor: Andrew Ogea.
Red Oak Baptist Church, Livingston: Chronicles in concert, July 7, 11 a.m. Pastor: Carl Varnado.
Ashland Baptist Church, Ashland: Ivan Parker In Concert, July 7, 6 p.m. A love offering will be taking. Pastor: Danny Slack
Indian Village Baptist Church, Kinder: Southern Plainsmen of Hornbeck in concert, July 7. Pastor: Kevin Willis.
Cedar Crest Baptist Church, Baton Rouge: Greg Sullivan Ministries in concert, July 14, 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Bruce Worrell.
Fordoche Baptist Church, Fordoche: Greg Sullivan Ministries in concert with The Journeys, July 21, 5 p.m. Pastor: Toby Delahoussaye.
Grangeville Baptist Church, Pine Grove: Chronicles in concert, July 21, 11 a.m. Pastor: Mike Cotton.
Beech Springs Baptist Church, Quitman: Ben Waites in Concert, July 28, 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Jason Womack.
Rose Park Baptist Church, Shreveport: Mark Trammell Quartet in concert, August 4, 10 a.m. Pastor: B.J. Maddox.
Grace Baptist Church, Goldonna: Southern Plainsmen of Hornbeck in concert, August 4, 9:45 a.m. Pastor: Myron Thompson.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
First Baptist Church, Mansfield: Breaker Rock Beach VBS 2024, June 16-20, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Sign up at myvbs.org/fbcmansfield. Pastor: Chad Hardbarger.
Atlanta and Sardis Baptist Churches, Atlanta: Vacation Bible School, June 17-19, 6-8 p.m. Pastor: Chad James.
Bayou Oaks Baptist Church, Monroe: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 17 – 20, 9 a.m. til noon. Pastor: Clyde Sanchez
North Monroe Baptist Church, Bastrop: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 17 – 20 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Pastor: Kevin Crim
Ouachita, Baptist Church West Monroe: The Great Jungle Journey VBS, June 17 – 20, 5:30 – 8:15 p.m. Pastor: MikeHolloway
Liberty Christian Church, Colfax: Vacation Bible School, June 17-21, 6-8 p.m. Pastor: None.
Hebron Baptist Church, Dry Prong: Vacation Bible School, June 17-21, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.. Commencement Sunday, June 23 at 11 a.m. Pastor: Travis Sanders.
Fair Park Baptist Church, West Monroe: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 17 – 21 8:30 – Noon. Pastor: Waymond Warren.
South Winnfield Baptist Church, Winnfield: Scuba VBS, June 17-21, 5-8:30 p.m. Pastor: Jack Miller.
Bethany Baptist Church, Bethany: Vacation Bible School, June 17 – 21, 5- 8 p.m. Pastor: Marvin Cooper.
First Baptist Church, Natchitoches: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 17-21, 9 a.m. – noon. This is for all who have completed pre-k 4 through 6th grade. To sign up for VBS go to https://forms.gle/292fQ6nRSrvSA3488. Pastor: Tommy Rush.
Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville: Breaker Rock Beach, June 17-21, 6-8:30 p.m. Online Preregistration is open through Wednesday, June 12. After June 12th, must register in person on campus. Open Registration for Completed Kindergarten through 6th Grade. Kindergarten Note: Maximum of 45 Kindergarteners. Pastor: Philip Robertson.
Judson Baptist Church, Walker: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 17-21. For more information, contact the church. Pastor: David Lane.
Rocky Springs Baptist Church, Lisbon: “Stepping Up” Sports Camp, June 17-21, 5-8 p.m. Pastor: Chris Stephens.
Cook Baptist Church, Ruston: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 17-21 from 9 a.m. til noon each day. To sign up or if you have any questions please contact Mrs. Dandy or register at https://cookbaptistchurch.churchcenter.com/…/2290305. Pastor: Joseph Fowler.
Lakeside Baptist Church, Winnfield: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 17-21 5:30-7:30 p.m. Pastor: Mitchell Miles.
Springhill Baptist Church, Jonesville: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 17-21 6- 8 p.m. Pastor: Don Cardin.
Liberty Christian Church, Colfax: Vacation Bible School, June 17-21 6:00 – 8:00 Pastor: None.
Hebron Baptist Church, Dry Prong: Vacation Bible School, June 17-21, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Commencement Sunday, June 23 at 11 a.m. Pastor: Travis Sanders.
First Baptist Church, Winnfield: Vacation Bible School, June 30-July 3, 5-&:30 p.m. Pastor: Jerry Pipes.
Southside Baptist Church, Mansfield: Vacation Bible School, June 18-22, 6-8:30 p.m. Pastor: Gary Orr.
First Baptist Church, Tullos: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 23-27, 5:30 -8:30 P.M. Go to www.tullosfbc.com for more information. Pastor: Scott Smith
Indian Village Baptist Church, Kinder: Break Rock Beach VBS, June 23-27, 5-7:30 p.m. To register go www.indianvillagebc.org/2024/vbs-2024.html. Pastor: Kevin Lewis.
Holloway Baptist Church, Deville: The Great Jungle Journey, June 23-27, 5:30-8 p.m. Go online to register. Pastor: Tim Shields.
First Baptist Church, Keithville: Scuba Vacation Bible School 2024, June 23-26, 6-8:30 p.m. Pastor: Mike Stowell.
Woodlawn Baptist Church, Iowa: Start the Party VBS, June 24-27, 6-8:30 p.m. To register go to https://fb.me/e/xyNIdE4uw. Pastor: Richard Louviere.
First Baptist Church, Dry Prong: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 24-28, 5:30-8:15 p.m. To register go to https://www.fbcdryprong.com/vbs. Pastor: Trey Lewis.
Bayou Vista Baptist Church, Morgan City: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 24-28, 8 a.m.-Noon. Pastor: Eric Green.
Olivet Baptist Church, Sulphur: Breaker Rock Beach, June 24-28, 9 a.m.-noon. To register go to https://www.olivetbaptistsulphur.com/vbs. Pastor: Kevin Craft.
University Baptist Church, Lake Charles: Seven Days of Creation VBS, June 24-28, 9-11:30 a.m. Pastor: John Astling.
First Baptist Church, Hackberry: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 24-28, 5-8 p.m. Pastor: Monty Rowse.
First Baptist Church, Iowa: Proof Pirates Vacation Bible School, June 24-28, 6-7:30 p.m. To register go to https://www.iowafbc.org/vbs, Pastor: Brandon Oliver.
First Baptist Church, Jennings: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 24-28, PreK 4 – Kindergarten | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 1st – 6th Grade | 8:30 a.m.– 2 p.m.
To register go to fbcJennings.com/VBS. Pastor:
Sale Street Baptist Church, Sulphur: Mega Sports Camp – Blaze the Trail, June 24-28, 5-8 p.m. To register go to https://www.salestreet.org/megasportscamp. Pastor: Drew Mills.
First Baptist Church, Maplewood: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 24-28, 9 a.m.-noon Pastor: Jeremy Blocker.
Mt. Olive & Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church: Breaker Rock Beach, June 24-28, 5-8 p.m. This is for ages K-12th grade. Pastor: Braylon Harris (Mt. Olive) and EJ Kemper (Mt. Pilgrim).
First Baptist Church, Mandeville: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 24-28, 9 a.m.- noon. Pastor: Ronny Cooksey.
University Baptist Church, Lake Charles: Seven Days of Creation VBS, June 24-28, 9-11:30 a.m. For kindergarten through the fifth grade: Pastor: John Astling.
First Baptist Church, Hackberry: Breaker Rock Beach, June 24-28, 5-8 p.m. For kindergarten thought sixth grade (completed). Pastor: Monte Rowse
First Baptist Church, Iowa: Proof Pirates, June 24-28, 6-7:30 p.m. For ages kindergarten to 12th grade. Registration: https://www.iowafbc.org/vbs. Pastor: Brandon Oliver.
Faith Baptist Church, Bastrop: The Keepers of the Kingdom VBS, June 23 – 27, 6 – 8:15 p.m. Pastor: Stan Wyant.
Lakeshore Baptist Church, Monroe: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 23 – 27, 5:30 – 8 p.m. Pastor: William Smith.
Bethel Baptist Church, Bastrop: The Great Jungle Journey VBS, June 24 – 28, 9-11:30 a.m. Pastor: Tim Post.
Greater New Antioch Baptist Church, Monroe: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 24 – 28, 5-8 p.m. Pastor: John Russell.
Northside Baptist Church, Montgomery: Vacation Bible School, June 24-27, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Pastor Scott Tilton.
First Baptist Church, Jennings: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 24-28, Pre-K-kindergarten (8:30 – 11:30 a.m.); 1st-6th grade (8:30-11:30 a.m.) Registration: fbcJennings.com/VBS. Pastor: Eric Sonnier.
Ridge Avenue Baptist Church, West Monroe: Breaker Rock Beach VBS, June 26 – 28, 5:30 – 8 p.m. Pastor: Jim Wolfe.
SHREVEPORT, La. — Investigators are looking into how a former National Guardsman identified as the gunman who killed eight children in Louisiana on Sunday got a gun — despite an illegal firearms conviction on his record.
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is probing how the man obtained the assault-style pistol used in the shooting, which he described as a domestic violence incident.
Shamar Elkins was arrested in 2019 and convicted of illegal use of a firearm. Shreveport Police spokesman Christopher Bordelon said Elkins was likely prohibited from legally owning firearms because of that conviction.
In an interview, Bordelon said Elkins shot most of the children in the head and “probably still in their sleep.” Elkins was the father of seven of the eight children who were killed, Bordelon said; one of the children was a cousin, according to the coroner’s office.
“It is a disgusting and evil scene,” Bordelon told NBC News.
Elkins also shot and seriously injured his wife and another woman believed to be his girlfriend, police said.
He fled the scene and died in front of a home nearby, authorities said. It was not known whether he was fatally shot by law enforcement officers or died by suicide, Smith told reporters at a news conference Monday.
The mass shooting, one of the worst in the U.S. in recent years, sent waves of shock and grief through Shreveport. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described it as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had” in the city.
In an emotional news conference Monday, city and state officials condemned the bloodshed and called on community members to advocate for victims of domestic violence.
“We cannot afford to treat domestic violence as an afterthought. We must ensure that every victim, every mother, every father, every child has access to safety,” Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry L. Whitehorn Sr. said.
The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office, citing information provided by the children’s mothers, identified the victims as Jayla Elkins, 3, Shayla Elkins, 5, Kayla Pugh, 6, Layla Pugh, 7, Markaydon Pugh, 10, Sariahh Snow, 11, Khedarrion Snow, 6, and Braylon Snow, 5.
Elkins served in the Louisiana Army National Guard as a signal support system specialist and a fire support specialist from August 2013 to August 2020, the Army said. He never deployed and left the National Guard as a private.
Shreveport police officers responded to the 300 block of West 79th street just after 6 a.m. local time after reports of a domestic disturbance, authorities told reporters.
Elkins first shot a woman on nearby Harrison Street before he went to the West 79th Street home, where he killed the children, authorities said. He then fled and carjacked a person at gunpoint near the intersection of Linwood Avenue and West 79th Street.
Police officers exchanged gunfire with Elkins in neighboring Bossier Parish after a pursuit, Smith told reporters Monday.
Police initially said that officers fatally shot Elkins at that scene, but Smith said Monday that Elkins’ cause of death was still under investigation.
In September 2017, a judge granted Elkins and Sariahh’s mother joint custody following a petition to determine paternity and establish child support, according to court records reviewed by NBC News.
The photo at the top of Elkin’s Facebook profile, which has been verified by NBC News, shows him posing with eight children, including a baby seated on his lap.
On April 9, Elkins reposted a poem addressed to God. “Today I ask You to help me guard my mind and my emotions,” it reads in part. “When negativity arises, remind me to say, ‘It does not belong to me, in the name of Jesus.’”
Ryan Chandler reported from Shreveport, and Daniel Arkin from New York.
If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence hotline for help at (800) 799-SAFE (7233), or go to www.thehotline.org for more. States often have domestic violence hotlines as well.
Louisiana
Louisiana shooter Shamar Elkins made chilling remarks about ‘demons’ weeks before killing his 7 kids and their cousin
The deranged Army vet dad who gunned down his seven children and their cousin confessed he was drowning in “dark thoughts” and told his stepdad that some people “don’t come back from their demons” just weeks before the heinous killings, according to a report.
Shamar Elkins, 31, killed eight children — five girls and three boys ages 3 to 11 — and seriously wounded two women believed to be his wife and girlfriend when he went on a shooting rampage through Shreveport following an argument with his spouse around 6 a.m. Sunday.
Just weeks ago, on Easter Sunday, Elkins called his mother, Mahelia Elkins, and his stepfather, Marcus Jackson, and chillingly told them he was drowning in “dark thoughts,” wanted to end his life, and that his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, wanted a divorce, the New York Times reported.
“I told him, ‘You can beat stuff, man. I don’t care what you’re going through, you can beat it,’” Jackson told the publication. “Then I remember him telling me: ‘Some people don’t come back from their demons.’”
Mahelia Elkins said she was unclear what problems her son and his wife, who were married in 2024 and had four kids together, were dealing with, the Times reported.
But a relative of one of the wounded women said the couple was in the middle of separation proceedings and was due in court on Monday.
They had been arguing about their relationship coming to an end when Elkins — who was later killed by cops — opened fire, Crystal Brown told the Associated Press.
The killer father worked at UPS and served with the Louisiana Army National Guard from August 2013 to August 2020 as a signal support system specialist and fire support specialist, according to the Times.
A UPS coworker described Elkins as a devoted dad, but said he often seemed stressed and would pull his hair out, creating a lasting bald spot, the publication reported.
Elkins’ mother noted that she had reconnected with her son more than a decade ago after leaving him to be raised by a family friend, Betty Walker. She had Elkins when she was a teenager and struggling with a crack cocaine addiction.
Walker said that she did not witness the shootings on Sunday morning but knew that Elkins shot his wife several times in the head and stomach, the paper reported.
She last saw the deranged father when his family came over for dinner just last weekend — but noted he did not appear off at the time.
“I was getting up this morning to make myself some coffee, and I got the call,” Walker recalled. “My babies — my babies are gone.”
Elkins also had two previous convictions, including for driving while intoxicated in 2016 and for the illegal use of weapons in 2019, the outlet said.
In March 2019, a police report detailed that the National Guard vet had pulled a 9 millimeter handgun from his waistband and shot at a vehicle five times after a driver pulled a handgun on him — with one of the bullets being discovered near a school where children were playing.
The victims killed by Elkins have been identified as Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5. Seven of the eight were his own children, and the eighth was their cousin. They were all found dead inside their home in Shreveport.
Most of the victims were shot in the head while they slept, Shreveport Police Department spokesman Christopher Bordelon told NBC News.
One child was killed on the roof while trying to escape, police said.
Elkins, who was later killed by police during an attempted carjacking, also shot and wounded two women — the mothers of his children — during his murderous rage.
He shot his wife in the face at the home with the eight kids, Bordelon told the outlet. The other injured victim is believed to be Elkins’ girlfriend, who was shot in a separate house nearby, the police spokesperson added.
Elkins shared four of the slain children with his wife and three with the other injured woman, according to Brown.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
Yasin Gungor
19 April 2026•Update: 19 April 2026
At least eight children were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in the US state of Louisiana, local police said Sunday.
Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said officers responded to the shooting just after 6 am (1100GMT), following a domestic disturbance call.
The age of the deceased ranged from one to 14 years, he said, adding that the incident involved at least 10 individuals across four separate locations.
The suspect attempted to flee by carjacking a vehicle and driving to neighboring Bossier City, where police located and shot him dead.
Bordelon said Shreveport police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle into Bossier, where three officers discharged their firearms, killing him. He said investigators believe the suspect was the only person who opened fire at the locations.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the attack as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” adding: “It’s a terrible morning.”
No immediate information was available about the condition of the injured.
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