The Baptist Paper team set to expand subscriber base going into 2027

The framework was built a few years ago, and we’ve tested it out along the way. It’s all set and ready for the Louisiana Baptist Message staff to partner with our team to create a customized edition of The Baptist Paper (see story below).

We’ll share a proper welcome to all Louisiana Baptist subscribers once we launch the new edition, but for now we wanted to let you know about the news and encourage other states to consider the option.

For minimal financial and staffing resources, your audience can hold a state Baptist newspaper in their hands again — a proven way to maintain consistent connection with those you are trying to reach.

Faith-informed content

Along with snapshots of interesting ministry efforts taking place around the nation, content in The Baptist Paper ranges from in-depth reporting to clear, calm news updates to inspirational features to the realities of the persecuted church around the world. It also provides a wide range of how-to articles, discussions around current cultural trends and reminders for specific ways churches can reach their communities.

Each edition of The Baptist Paper contains Sunday School commentaries for Lifeway Christian Resource’s Explore the Bible and Bible Studies for Life curriculum and a word search and crossword puzzle.

We encourage readers to share their opinions and first-person columns for our Your Voice page. It seems to be our most popular section, and we are honored to share selected submissions from our readers.

Of course, if you are reading this information in a hard copy of The Baptist Paper, then you understand, and we appreciate your support and readership.

And for our friends in states continuing to print and mail a newspaper, we would love to be a supplemental resource for your readers as well. Reach out to talk about the possibilities.

Appreciation

Thank you for continuing the journey with us. Please know we welcome your suggestions and would love to hear from you any time.

Email me at jrash@thebaptistpaper.org to share concerns or suggestions, and send story ideas or Your Voice submissions to news@thebaptistpaper.org.

Louisiana Baptist Message to partner with The Baptist Paper

The Baptist Message, Louisiana Baptists’ news service, is working on a memorandum of understanding with The Baptist Paper to jointly provide a monthly print edition for Louisiana Baptist subscribers in 2027, according to Baptist Message editor Will Hall.

Major factor

During a September 2025 meeting, the Baptist Message board of trustees approved a move to a digital-only format, beginning in 2027. Finances were the major factor in the decision because the news service will lose $100,000 in funding after 2026.

But with the trustees’ vote in the most recent meeting, the Baptist Message will continue to offer a print product through a partnership with The Baptist Paper, launched in 2021 as a ministry of The Alabama Baptist newspaper that has been in print since 1843.

The Baptist Paper will print a monthly Baptist Message special edition with Louisiana Baptist content populating the front and back pages as well as four center pages.

The Baptist Paper will invoice Baptist Message subscribers, and Baptist Message advertisers will have opportunity to purchase space in The Baptist Paper. Rates will be announced soon but are expected to remain close to what they are now. The board approved an addition of $30,000 to the 2027 budget to offset setup costs of $2,500 per edition.

Meanwhile, the Baptist Message will continue to work to expand its online offerings.

“We represent an affinity group, both in print and online,” Hall told board members. “Our readers want to be Louisiana Baptists. They are tithers and CP supporters, and it’s important that we recognize their commitment and continue to serve them.” (Baptist Message staff)