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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Archives for 2021

Louisiana College changes name to reflect university status

By staff PINEVILLE, La. (LC News) – Louisiana College President Rick Brewer recently received unanimous approval from the board of trustees, upon a unanimous recommendation of its executive committee, to update the name of the institution to Louisiana Christian University to fit its elevated status. “It was wholeheartedly and unanimously supported,” Brewer said. “This is in keeping with our mission of being Christ-centered. It’s a logical move. We are not throwing away our past. We are recognizing this school has always been Christian.” He told the Baptist Message the official announcement will be made during the 2021 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 16, to be held in the North Monroe Baptist Church, Monroe, but that the university was issuing a press release now to encourage alumni and Wildcat supporters to be part of the celebration next month. The name "Louisiana Christian University" has been reserved with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office, he said, noting that the names "Louisiana University" and "Louisiana Baptist University" already were in use. Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director Steve Horn lauded LC's climb to university status and said the elevation reflects well on the … [Read more...]

Operation Christmas Child a global outreach for local ministries

By Norm Miller, Message correspondent PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) - In 1993, Samaritan’s Purse launched Operation Christmas Child, and since 1993, Mary Deen has filled shoeboxes with gifts and grooming items to be sent to children around the world. “I can’t look at any box without thinking of the children,” she said. “I packed boxes with my own children to teach them to give, because some children never receive a gift of any kind. Now, some of my grandchildren are packing boxes. We can’t take the boxes to the children in faraway places, other people do that for us. I like to call it ‘missionary in a box.’” For the last five years, Deen has been the regional media spokesperson for OCC.  She attends Journey Church in Pineville, where she is the shoebox project leader. In 2009, OCC began including a 12-week discipleship course option called “The Greatest Journey.” Trained event leaders share the Gospel when children receive a gift box. Children who choose to follow Jesus are offered the opportunity to complete the study. The course equips them to become faithful followers of Christ and teaches them how to share their faith. More than 26.5 million children have enrolled in this course. Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes have … [Read more...]