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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

LCU to hold inauguration of 10th President Dr. Mark Johnson

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Mark Johnson will be inaugurated as the 10th president of Louisiana Christian University, March 26, 6 p.m. inside Guinn Auditorium. The keynote address will be delivered by Jamie Dew, president with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Representatives from the religious, political, business and academic communities in central Louisiana also will offer remarks. A mass choir will provide music made up of members from the Citywide Choir, Alexandria, LCU Chorale, First Baptist Church, Kingsville, First Baptist Church, Pineville, and Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville. Johnson, who was unanimously voted on by the board of trustees in February 2025, has been in office since June 1. “I am incredibly grateful to the Lord in how He directed our steps through the search process, and we, as a search committee, felt confident God directed us to Dr. Mark Johnson to serve as the 10th president of Louisiana Christian University,” said Tommy Kiker, chair of the presidential search committee. “Since he has stepped into the role, I have been continually encouraged as a trustee of LCU, a friend of LCU and a Louisiana Baptist Pastor. As we celebrate his inauguration, my hope … [Read more...]

PREVIEW (“Overflowing Peace”): Peace in God, Our Protector

By Tara Dew, special to the Baptist Message NEW ORLEANS (LBM) -- This is the third of four excerpts Tara Dew has made available to Baptist Message readers from her newly released book, “Overflowing Peace,” a follow-up work to her best-selling book, “Overflowing Joy.” The shepherd’s rod is a protection from both the outside predators and the inward stubbornness of sheep. Likewise, God is our Protector from enemies and our own disobedience, too. God’s promise to Isaiah is reassurance for us in this: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). Just as the rod was used as an extension of the shepherd’s right hand, God comforts His children with this promise: He will protect us with His righteous right hand too. Throughout Scripture, we see God protecting His people. In Genesis, God protected Adam and Eve by guarding the way to the Tree of Life so that they could not eat that fruit and live in that sinful state forever. At the end of Genesis, God protected Joseph after he had been sold into slavery and elevated him to 2nd in command over all the storehouses of Egypt. In the book of Exodus, God … [Read more...]

LCU student to present research at national conference

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University student Keirsten Lejeune’s essay “Desire’s Destination: Death” has been accepted for presentation at the Sigma Tau Delta National Convention in New Orleans, March 30.  Lejeune, a senior English major from Leesville, examines Tennessee Williams’ work "A Streetcar Named Desire." Lejeune holds a 4.0 GPA and has been recognized for her academic achievements with the George Amos English Scholarship and the Mayme Hamlett Scholarship. She was awarded the Outstanding Apha Mu Gamma Member Award in 2025 and the English and Language Faculty Award in 2025.   She serves as the president of Sigma Tau Delta this academic year, and she is the founder of The Inklings creative writing club on campus. Additionally, Lageune previously presented research at the LSUS Regional Student Scholars Forum. … [Read more...]