Lanier Baptist Church at 4851 Lanier Drive in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is known for the motto, "The Church Where Everybody is Somebody and Jesus is Lord!" Its story began in 1954 with 23 like-minded people, and the church continues to center worship on God's Word while caring for families from babies through seniors and extending mission support to India. Sunday gatherings include Bible study, two worship services, prayer and classes for every age.
From 23 Believers to a Baptist Mission
The church was founded in 1954 when a movement of the Holy Spirit led 23 like-minded people to begin meeting in the area. The group contacted Fairfield Baptist Church about the possibility of sponsoring a small mission church. In the Baptist expression used at Lanier, the motion was presented, the members voted, and the sponsorship carried. On June 2, 1957, the group held its first service as Fairfield Baptist Mission. One year later, on June 1, 1958, it became Lanier Baptist Church.
That origin continues to shape the church's purpose. Members, led by Reverend Mike Ferguson, rely on God the Father to guide and direct them, seek ways to serve their community, and work to share the Father's love and forgiveness with a hurting world. Lanier emphasizes a congregation deep-rooted in love. Its teaching is Bible-centered: children are taught to know Jesus as Savior, students and adults are encouraged to apply Scripture to daily life, and transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit is central to youth and adult ministry. Worship, discipleship, service and the Great Commission remain connected parts of its mission.
Sunday: Study, Worship, Prayer and Evening Gathering
Lanier's Sunday rhythm has four clear gathering points:
- Morning Bible study: 9:00 AM
- Morning worship: 10:20 AM
- Prayer time: 4:45 PM
- Evening worship: 6:00 PM
The morning Bible study and worship are followed by an afternoon prayer gathering and a second worship gathering in the evening. The church office is open from 9 AM to 3 PM Monday through Friday at 225-355-5605.
Worship is also broadcast on Cox Cable Channel 96 at 2:30 PM and 7 PM each Sunday. A Facebook livestream carries the church's services, and earlier Facebook services are available to watch through past livestream services.
Wednesday Dinner and Midweek Worship
Wednesday gathers around a shared meal and a midweek service. Dinner begins at 6 PM, followed by the Mid-Week Service at 6:30 PM. Choir practice follows at 7:30 PM.
- Dinner: 6:00 PM
- Mid-Week Service: 6:30 PM
- Choir practice: 7:30 PM
Meal preparation begins between 4:30 and 5 PM, with the serving line opening at 6. Volunteers prepare tea and coffee, set up dessert and salad tables, serve the meal, remove trash and wash dishes.
Sunday School From Newborns Through High School
Lanier makes room for children from infancy through elementary school. The nursery has spaces for newborns and toddlers, while preschool and elementary classes serve children through fifth grade every Sunday morning. The children's ministry seeks to reach and teach children of every age about God's love so they can know him as Savior and share that love with others. Teachers say infants and toddlers hear a Bible story about Jesus each week. Preschool and elementary lessons use activities and crafts to teach that Christ loves everyone and to show children how to live by God's laws.
Middle and high school students meet weekly for worship, teaching and fellowship. Rising sixth through eighth graders participate in middle school ministry, while rising ninth through twelfth graders participate in high school ministry. Their Bible-centered lessons include crafts, activities, Bible drills and exercises. The goal is to make Scripture practical in the home, school and recreation while helping students live lives that honor and reflect Christ. Service projects and special events are also part of student ministry.
Adult Classes That Connect Scripture and Daily Life
Adult ministry at Lanier is designed around gathering around God's Word and modeling life after Christ. Its goal is to challenge people to live out their faith and affect others with the truth of the Gospel. Opportunities include small groups, women's ministry, men's ministry, Bible study and outreach, as well as classes for younger adults, people at different family stages and seniors.
One class is called CARE, an acronym for Caring And Respecting Everyone. All ages and genders are welcome, including people who are married, divorced, single or couples. Its lessons are Bible-centered and focus on applying the Bible in daily life. The young-adults class provides in-depth Bible study and shares real-life experiences about the continuing relevance of God in today's world. A senior class combines fellowship and fun with the study of God's Word.
A Class Shaped Around Understanding
Lanier also has dedicated special-needs ministry. The class keeps teaching simple by reading, studying and singing, presenting God at a level the students can understand. Joyce Griffin teaches the class.
Chains of Wisdom: Bible Study in Crochet
Sheila Paul leads Chains of Wisdom, a crochet Bible class that uses God's Word to work through day-to-day problems. The class meets once a month on Mondays in Fellowship Hall and considers Scripture an instruction manual for life. Its name plays on BIBLE, "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth." The gathering combines creative work with discussion of faith and practical concerns.
Serving Nearby Neighborhoods
Community service at Lanier is practical and recurring. Two or three times each year, the church fills a food pantry and collects school supplies. People can bring supplies when requested or pick up items during sales and donate them later so useful purchases are not wasted. The church's giving effort also includes clothing, toys and household items for a free garage sale. Donated clothing must be clean, and household items must be in working condition; personal items are accepted only when new and still packaged.
These projects reflect Associate Pastor and Youth Minister Mike Ferguson Jr.'s focus on reaching the neighborhoods surrounding Lanier. His ministry places particular emphasis on youth, discipleship and outreach, with a desire to equip people to live out their faith daily. Across these projects, the church continues its founding aim of serving the community and sharing love and forgiveness.
Mission Work Through Here For You and Hope Givers
Mission partnership extends beyond Baton Rouge through two named connections. "Here For You," hosted by Louisiana Baptists, gives people who do not have a relationship with Jesus a chance to say yes. Learning about becoming a Christian can begin with a deeper conversation, and Lanier offers prayer and support throughout that journey.
Hope Givers International calls its mission "Help for Today - Hope for Eternity." It rescues orphaned, abandoned and at-risk children from impoverished areas of India and assists people who are needy or oppressed in collaboration with ministry partners. Its long-term vision is to disciple orphan leaders and launch them into their own villages to reach others for Christ. Lanier encourages people to become financial ministry partners with this work.
Pastoral and Music Leadership
Lead Pastor Mike Ferguson is known for dynamic preaching and a genuine heart for people. He is a man of his word who faithfully cares for his church family, with a desire for lives to be changed through the power of God's Word and for the flock to be shepherded with integrity, compassion and truth.
Associate Pastor and Youth Minister Mike Ferguson Jr. focuses on the next generation, discipleship and outreach, especially neighboring communities. Lead Music Minister Robert Reames leads others in meaningful praise and emphasizes sharing the Gospel through music and daily life. He also values fellowship and the relationships built through ministry. Nancy Wagenaar serves as church secretary and fills in as pianist when needed, continuing the musical ministry she developed as a pianist and Sunday School teacher in other churches.
Serving Through Gifts and Hands-On Work
Volunteer service reaches from worship technology to the kitchen and grounds. Volunteers who operate cameras, work the lights or control the sound system receive in-house training. Studio teams are needed Sunday at 10:20 AM and 6 PM and Wednesday at 6:30 PM. The grounds team cuts grass, prunes, cleans flowerbeds, pressure washes, paints, handles leaves, cleans windows and replaces light bulbs. These regular duties help keep the church ready for worship and community activity. Its spaces include the sanctuary, nursery and children's classrooms, Fellowship Hall, kitchen and broadcast studio.
Lanier offers one-time and recurring contributions through a secure giving option. Lanier presents tithes and offerings as a way to return to God what he has blessed, with funds directed toward ministry in the surrounding community and fulfillment of the Great Commission. The practice is connected to 2 Corinthians 9:7 and the idea of being a cheerful giver.
From its first Fairfield Baptist Mission service to its work across Baton Rouge and with partners in India, Lanier Baptist Church remains centered on worshiping God, teaching His Word, caring for people, sharing love and forgiveness and serving the Great Commission. Its identity as a mission church continues through worship, age-graded learning, practical service, mission partnership and a shared life of prayer, fellowship, music and giving.