By Norm Miller, Louisiana College communications PINEVILLE – Louisiana College assembled a world-class panel of bio-ethicists for its first annual “Values & Ethics” conference, Oct. 10-11. Slated to meet in LC’s Martin Performing Arts Center, the Oct. 10 session at 6 p.m. is free and open to the public and features nationally acclaimed author/scholars Dr. Ben Mitchell and Dr. Douglas Axe. Local health care specialist Mary Kienzle, MSW, of Christus St. Francis Cabrini Hospital completes the trio that will explore the interesting parallels between society’s view of origins and a rapidly changing culture. Subtitled “Origins,” the conference offers Cenla residents “the rare opportunity to hear from three top-flight experts whose credentials are as impressive as their content is stimulating,” said Louisiana College president, Dr. Rick Brewer. Former director of Social Services for New York State, Kienzle brings more than 30 years of experience in health care. A graduate of New York University and Hunter College, Kienzle is director for Missions Integration Services and Spiritual Care Departments at Christus Cabrini Hospital, which is sponsoring the conference. Author Doug Axe earned a PhD in biochemical … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS (BP) - Discussing race in America is complex, difficult, risky and necessary. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary joined the conversation with its "Talking about Race" conference Sept. 27. Sponsored by the seminary's Institute for Faith and the Public Square, the event brought together Andrew Young Jr., Noel Castellanos and Raymond Bakke -- three men who have given their lives and careers to some of the most vulnerable people in American society. Young, a civil rights icon, served as a pastor, mayor, congressman and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Castellanos, chief executive officer of the Christian Community Development Association, has ministered to urban Latinos since 1982. Bakke, a pastor and urban ministry professor, is founder and executive director of International Urban Associates, an organization dedicated to taking the Gospel to the urban centers of the world. The men set a hopeful tone from the start sharing stories from their own experiences, encouraging grassroots change, one person at a time. The solution, in their view, comes when people of different backgrounds and ethnicities live out life together. Ultimately, each speaker placed their … [Read more...]

By Tammy Sharp, Regional Reporter ZACHARY – Peace of mind for many here has been swept downstream. Not so for Cross Creek Cowboy Church member Melinda Michiels, who lost almost everything she owned when the Comite River, usually calm and shallow, spilled over its banks in August. “I lost stuff, but I gained a lot. You have things in your heart you don’t even realize until God pulls it out and waves it in your face,” said Michiels. “I know I have Cross Creek, I know I have God, but now I don’t have as much stuff.” ”We were meeting in the Cowboy Church in the arena before we got our building,” remembers Debi Morris about the first time she met Michiels. “She drove up a couple years ago on her tractor and said, ‘If God puts a church in your front yard you might ought to check it out.” “She didn’t know what she believed,” said Morris, whose son Josh preaches at Cross Creek. But over the last two years, through Cross Creek services, Bible study and mentoring, Michiels has come to a firm belief, as evidenced by her reaction to the flood. “It didn’t cross my mind that He would leave me hanging out there,” said Michiels. As the rain pelted down, water rose high and fast August 13. Friend Liz Markey, of Zachary … [Read more...]

By  Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON – Wearing a shower cap only moments from entering the baptismal waters, Ophelia White was beaming with excitement. With the encouragement of friends gathered in the Cook Baptist Church worship center, the 94-year-old new believer was baptized, answering the prayers of those closest to her. “I want people to know it’s never too late,” White said. “Get with it.” When she was a young girl, White’s mom urged her to go forward and ask to be baptized. Not fully realizing why she was doing so, White obliged and for decades believed she had a relationship with Christ. But recently, roommate Joy Campbell noticed White lacked the confidence of Jesus in her life. So, Campbell took a bold step and asked White if she knew Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. For several weeks, Campbell continued the spiritual conversa tions and prayed for her roommate until one day in August when White made the decision she needed Jesus and publically announced her profession of faith to the congregation at Cook Baptist. The news stirred joy inside Campbell, who shared a house with White for eight years before discovering White was not a Christian. White’s conversion brought back … [Read more...]