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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

WMU’s Sybil Bentley Dove Award helps mother of three continue nursing journey

By Grace Thornton, SBC WMU BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (SBC WMU) Giselle Gonzalez-Rivera said she wondered if she was crazy going back to school in her late 30s with three young children. But she found a group that encouraged her — Moving Forward Chattanooga, a Christian Women’s Job Corps site — and in April she finished her licensed practical nurse certificate at Chattanooga State Community College. “Christian Women’s Job Corps encouraged and supported me so much,” she said of the group, which helps women with skills for life and work. “They saw the potential in me that I had not seen.” Beth Ray, site coordinator for Moving Forward Chattanooga, said Gonzalez-Rivera “gives God glory for the whole process.” “Giselle is a blessing to anyone she meets. She always has a smile and a kind word,” Ray said. “She’s a super sweet person with a sweet family, and she’s grown in her faith.” When Gonzalez-Rivera came to Moving Forward Chattanooga, she began working on six weeks of personal development, which included communication and financial management. She also took an inventory to help her identify careers that interested her, and site leaders helped her find educational resources and funding for school. Ray said in … [Read more...]

Four CWJC graduates awarded scholarships to help with next steps

By Grace Thornton, SBC WMU BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (SBC WMU) – Marie Beam says she’s always liked working on cars. She found out early on that she didn’t like being stranded — she’d rather be able to do something about it when her car had problems. “I started learning how to do it myself,” she said. Then she started helping the women in her apartment complex who frequently had car trouble. “It’s something I love to do,” Beam said. “So I started thinking maybe I could do it as a career too.” Through Christian Women’s Job Corps of Tyler, Texas, she’s had the support to enroll in college and start making that happen. “I’ve got six classes left,” she said. And thanks to the Faye Dove Scholarship, a gift provided by the WMU Foundation to help a CWJC graduate further her education, Beam now has money to buy the tools to finish her associate’s degree in automotive mechanics at Northeast Texas Community College. The scholarship will also help her continue to provide support for her four children, who range in age from 2 to 12. “Everything I learn, I get out there and show my kids what I learn,” she said. “Hopefully it’s the gift that keeps on giving.” Beam was one of two recipients of the Faye Dove Scholarship this … [Read more...]

Louisiana writer publishes debut novel: ‘A Fortunate Murder’

By Tammy Sharp FLORIEN, La. - Tammy Sharp, a native of Vernon Parish and resident of Sabine Parish has released her debut novel, "A Fortunate Murder", book 1 of her "Shattered" series, which is set in the fictional town of Bethel, Louisiana. The novel was prepared for publication by Wise Publications in Sulphur for print on demand distribution through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. “A Fortunate Murder was fun to write,” said Sharp, who is an award winning poet, journalist and teacher. “I’m dedicated to clean fiction, but I also like a lot of different genres. I’d call this a clean, contemporary Southern gothic, with sprinkles.” “Sprinkles of romance, humor and psychological twists,” she clarified. The book features main character Moriah Jordan who, after coming home to help her sick mother, finds herself also committed to helping her best friend beat a fake murder charge, all without losing her job, her life or her mind. But the longer she’s home, the worse her memory gets, interfering with everything she’s trying to do (and not do). Mysterious objects appearing in her house, a murderous, familiar stalker, and her complete blackouts cause Linc, her high school flame and the sheriff’s chief investigator on the … [Read more...]

LCU invites public to town hall meetings

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University will hold a series of town hall meetings around the state to welcome input from all those interested in the search for the next president and in the direction of the school moving forward. Those interested can attend meetings on the following dates: Aug. 6, 6:30 p.m. - 8617 Glen Haven Dr., Shreveport; Aug. 8, 6:30 p.m. - 1140 College Drive, LCU Granberry Conference Room, Pineville; Aug. 20, 6:30 p.m. - 201 Riggs Street, Edgewood Building, West Monroe; and Aug. 27, 6:30 p.m. - 2222 Lakeshore Dr., New Orleans Baptist Association building, New Orleans Other town hall meetings may be planned for other cities and dates and will be announced.  LCU is currently doing a nationwide search for the 10th president of the nearly 120-year-old institution, according to Tommy Kiker, who serves on the university’s Board of Trustees and is search committee chair. “As we continue this process, the committee and I need your prayers and ask for your input,” said Kiker, lead pastor with East Leesville Baptist Church, Leesville. “We are accepting applications and recommendations and have spent the summer praying, receiving input from … [Read more...]