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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Students present research at C.S. Lewis Honors Forum

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University honors students presented research at the 6th Annual C.S. Lewis Honors Forum, April 11. Ten students presented at this year’s forum. “It is a privilege to see our C. S. Lewis Honors Students' projects come to a fruitful conclusion at the C. S. Lewis Honors Forum,” said Sarah Payne, director of the C.S. Lewis Honors Program. “I continue to be impressed with the students and their dedication to academic excellence and growth in their chosen fields.” Sarah Grace Becker, a senior elementary education major from Springtown, Texas, presented “The Think Aloud Strategy: Modeling Thoughts in 4th Grade ELA.” The goal of Becker’s research was to assess the effectiveness of the think-aloud strategy for elementary students in both large and small groups during lessons about finding evidence and matching claims to evidence. Becker’s immediate plan after graduation is to teach elementary school. Samuel Hair, a senior public relations major from Sulphur, presented “Phantom Terror: How a Public Relations Meltdown Turned Three Mile Island into a Disaster.” Hair’s research examined the 1979 mechanical failure at the Three Mile Island … [Read more...]

LBC pastor, retired NASA rocket scientist reflects on moon mission

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer HOUMA, La. (LBM) – As Artemis II completed its recent 10-day mission that included traveling to the far side of the moon, retired NASA rocket scientist Clifton Arnold reflected about his part in helping make the journey a success. “Seeing the takeoff, landing and photos of the Artemis II mission is one of those moments that brings back memories of decades of hard work,” Arnold, pastor with Mechanicville Emmanuel Baptist Church and Kingdom Life Fellowship in Houma, told the Baptist Message. “A lot of people see the end result of preparation for launch or liftoff, but a lot goes into the years of engineering development and testing before you get to that point. “When you plan it, and it goes as planned, it’s awesome,” he continued. “It’s a great feeling to see all the work you’ve done and all the teams that you’ve led over the years get to that point of launch and landing.” Before retiring from NASA in 2025, Arnold served as program manager with NASA Headquarters in the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance. During his time with NASA, his involvement with Artemis II included project manager for rocket propulsion testing and development, where he managed and oversaw … [Read more...]

West CENLA GO TELL America Crusade Sunday night service yields 47 decisions for Christ

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LEESVILLE, La. (LBM) – Approximately 47 people (of a crowd of about 1,000 who attended on "Church Night") responded to a plea to make a decision for Christ during the opening service of the West CENLA GO TELL America Crusade in the Leesville High School football stadium, April 13. At the invitation brought by Rick Gage, founder of GO TELL Crusades in Duluth, Ga., 23 attendees repented and declared Christ as Lord of their lives and another 24 repented for restoration with Christ. Earlier that morning, 10 people turned to Christ after a message to the First Baptist Church, Anacoco, by Ken Freeman, an evangelist from Martindale, Texas, and another five accepted the Lord after a message by Gage to the Good Hope Baptist Church, Anacoco. Additionally, a trustee with the Vernon Parish Jail became a Christ follower while setting up the crusade stage on April 11. After the crusade team had a time of prayer on the football field, a trustee began asking questions about why they prayed and the purpose of the event. Moments later, the trustee placed his faith in Christ and has asked to be baptized soon, according to Chad King, pastor with FBC Anacoco. “It was a great moment … [Read more...]

Lenow elected to serve as ERLC president

By ERLC NASHVILLE (ERLC) - Evan Lenow has been unanimously elected to fill the role as the next president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention by the organization’s board of trustees.  The ERLC board of trustees voted to appoint Lenow during a special called meeting, April 13, in Nashville, Tenn. Lenow, 47, is coming to the ERLC after serving as the director of the Institute for Christian Leadership, director of Church and Minister Relations and chair of the Christian Studies Department for Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss.  "Dr. Lenow is a proven, trusted servant to Southern Baptists, and he has a demonstrated love for helping churches live out the Great Commission fully in their contexts,” said Scott Foshie, chairman of the ERLC board of trustees. “His biblically rooted ethics resources are trusted by our seminaries, and many local churches have benefitted from his faithful preaching and helpful consultations. We are overjoyed that he has answered God's call to use his keen intellect and shepherd's heart to lead the ERLC." The ERLC trustee presidential search committee, chaired by Mitch Kimbrell of Williston, Vt., recommended Lenow to the full board after a seven-month … [Read more...]

Artemis II reminds all of us to look up

When NASA set a launch date for Artemis II all those months ago, there was no way of knowing that the world would be in desperate need of something so uniquely awe-inspiring. On a planet consumed by war, hate, tragedy, and lack, these astronauts are giving the human population a rare gift: the chance to focus on what we have in common — not the differences splintering us all apart. … [Read more...]

La. Baptist, NASA engineer says Artemis II mission confirmed his awe of God

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – As Artemis II captured the nation and world during its journey toward the moon,  Andrew Riddle, an engineer contracted by NASA and a member of First Baptist Church, New Orleans, said the lunar orbit highlighted God's creation. After graduating from Saint Louis University, Riddle moved to New Orleans and began working at Michoud Assembly Center in New Orleans East as a propulsion engineer on the core stage of the space launch system rocket. After almost six years of work, he said that seeing it take off in person from Kennedy Space Center was surreal. FAITH-DRIVEN Riddle said his faith in the Lord plays a part in his appreciation of space and creation. “I’m driven by a desire to better understand creation, like many scientists and explorers throughout history,” Riddle told the Baptist Message. “The night sky especially has always left me in awe of God’s beauty, power and majesty.” He added that the mission has generated renewed excitement by many young people in space exploration. “I love seeing younger people get excited about this new era of exploration,” he said. “My dad grew up during the space race in the sixties and it had a huge impact … [Read more...]