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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

LCU receives grant from The Rapides Foundation

Louisiana Christian University has been awarded a grant from The Rapides Foundation for $25,700 for the Beyond Graduation Program, a project designed to close the gap between high school seniors who graduate and apply to postsecondary institutions and those who enroll and complete a postsecondary certificate or degree. Beyond Graduation is a partnership between Career Compass of Louisiana, school districts in nine central Louisiana parishes, and six post-secondary institutions.  Beyond Graduation is funded by a grant from The Rapides Foundation. To be eligible for the program at LCU, students must be from one of the following parishes: Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon, and Winn. Students must also meet one of the following criteria: be first-generation college students, have economic hardship, have a qualifying academic record and related factors, or have a referral from an administrator, teacher, counselor, or Career Compass coach. For more information about the services available through this program at LCU, contact Beyond Graduation coach Emily Couvillion at emily.couvillion@lcuniversity.edu. … [Read more...]

NWLBA Mission Strategist urges prayers after Shreveport mass shooting

By Baptist Message staff SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – Lane Moore, Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association Mission Strategist, asked for prayers after an individual killed eight children in a domestic violence incident in Shreveport early April 19. “This is tragic evidence of the complete breakdown of the nuclear family in our society, coupled with the inability to resolve disagreements without resorting to violence,” Moore told the Baptist Message. “The answer is not passing another law, but the Church, the true Body of Christ, presenting a model for what a godly home should look like and raise Christ-like men to be the protectors and providers of the home, not a threat to the home. But today, church leaders will pray and give counsel to the hurting as the community pulls together as everyone tells their children and grandchildren how much they love them.” According to the Shreveport Police Department’s Facebook page, the children ranging from ages one to 14 were killed inside a home in the 300 block of West 79th St. in Shreveport on Sunday morning. Additionally, two adult females were treated at a local hospital for serious injuries. A teenage victim also sustained injuries during the incident, but police indicated those … [Read more...]

West CENLA GO TELL Crusade yields 527 spiritual decisions

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LEESVILLE, La. (LBM) – A small town crusade yielded big time results for Christ during the West CENLA GO TELL AMERICA Crusade, April 12-15. By the end of the four-day spiritual encounter, 527 persons had made decisions for Christ, including 279 individ­uals stepping forward to accept Christ, 151 seeking restoration with the Lord, 35 seeking God’s will and two expressing a call to ministry, according to Chris Palmer, GO TELL director of ministry out­reach.  Other commitments were made away from the four-night services but were part of the GO TELL strategy. They included: -13 at a pre-crusade rally at Family Training Christian Academy, Leesville, March 28; -10 during morning services at First Baptist Church, Anacoco, and five at Good Hope Baptist Church, Anacoco, April 12; -100 at men’s and women’s detention centers in Vernon Parish, April 13-14; and -50 at Family Training Christian Academy, April 14. “The fruit that we witnessed is the result of the strong leadership and the preparation of all the hundreds of volunteers,” Evangelist Rick Gage, founder of GO TELL Min­istries in Duluth, Georgia, told the Baptist Message. “It was a work of God. We had been praying and … [Read more...]

LBC president opens LA Senate session with prayer

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Opening the Louisiana Senate with prayer, Kirk Jones, president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and pastor with Fellowship Church, Prairieville, asked God to give wisdom, strength and safety to these state leaders. “Father God, we thank you for this day,” he prayed. “I thank you for these who serve the people of Louisiana. Lord God, your Word tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom, that we can ask you for it and you will give it to us graciously. So, Lord, I know that they need wisdom and guidance and insight into the things that they’re deciding. So Lord, I pray that you would provide that for them. “Give them the strength and stamina to do the job,” Jones continued. “Lord God, I pray that you would watch over them and keep them. I pray that they would be able to hear your voice in the midst of all the things that they’re working on and doing. “Lord, I know there’s a lot of voices,” he said. “Father, I pray that they would know the voice of the Shepherd, and the voice of a stranger they would not follow. Lord God, I pray that you would keep watch over their families while many of them are away serving here. Lord, we thank you for the sacrifices they make in that. … [Read more...]

Goodwin delivers laughs at Maggie Martin Leadership Summit

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Comedian Mike Goodwin delivered many laughs and life lessons during the 4th Annual Dr. Maggie Martin Marketplace Leadership Summit, April 14, at Louisiana Christian University. Known for his ability to make his audiences laugh, learn and grow, Goodwin offered attendees a refreshingly clean brand of authentic humor, drawing on everyday life experiences. Following a hilarious comedy set, Goodwin finished with some inspirational remarks for leaders. “Mike has taken his talent that God has given him and parlayed it into something that also lifts the hearts and minds of people,” said LCU President Mark Johnson. Goodwin said he has only gotten to where he is in life by the grace of God and through good leadership along the way. He encouraged the crowd, as believers in Christ, to have joy. “Joy is a fruit of the spirit,” he said. “It’s incumbent upon us to be some of the most joyous people on Earth. Fill yourselves with joy. Sorrow doesn’t care about your schedule, so make sure you’re full of joy.” He offered three tips for those in leadership positions in their organizations and families. Be diligent. He encouraged attendees to be diligent in everything … [Read more...]