By Elizabeth Christian, LC News PINEVILLE, La. (LC News) - Louisiana Christian University’s celebration of Black History Month will continue with the third annual Gospel choir concert Feb. 17. Scheduled for 6:30 p.m. inside Guinn Auditorium, the concert will feature both traditional and contemporary Gospel music sung by the school's choir, students, alumni and community members including the worship team from Zion Hill Church Family, Pineville. “It’s a different style of music that many students are not used to hearing,” said concert director Terrell Phillips. “It taps into a culture that I am used to and a lot of African Americans are used to but a lot of people haven’t heard before.” Next week, two more events will be held to celebrate Black History Month: a showing of the 2014 film “Selma,” which depicts the voting rights marches in Alabama from Selma to Montgomery led by Martin Luther King Jr. It will be shown in the Granberry Conference Center on Feb. 23 at 7.30 p.m. On Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m.  a panel discussion will take place at Guinn Auditorium on King and the realization of his dream. “Diversity is something I want us to celebrate every day at Louisiana Christian University," LCU President Rick Brewer … [Read more...]

By Staff GONZALES, La. – The Louisiana Family Forum has named Gail and Patsy Richardson as the winner of its contest for the state’s longest married couple. Gail, a longtime member of First Baptist Church, Gonzales, and Patsy, who attends St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Gonzales, married on Sept. 1, 1940. Gail Richardson said the key to marriage is a faith centered on God and trusting in Him. “He handles all of the little and big things in our lives,” he told the Baptist Message. “For those who want to have a long, happy marriage, treat your spouse well and have lots of one on one time. Love one another and help each other in whatever way you can. And, forgive and forget.” The longest-known married couples are honored yearly for their commitment to building a culture of strong marriages in Louisiana and for being examples of lasting love. "We want to remind the next generation that marriage is good for both men and women. Married couples are healthier, wealthier, love more often and more deeply… and are less trim!” commented LFF President Gene Mills stated in a LFF press release. "We are honored to shine a light on these examples of lasting love." The Richardsons are among 15 couples who have been inducted into … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff SAINT FRANCISVILLE, La. (LBM) – The Judson Baptist Retreat Center, a camp owned by churches of the Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge, has announced it will suspend operations from May to December. According to BAGBR Director of Missions Tommy Middleton, coronavirus pandemic-related financial challenges played a key role in the decision. While the camp will not be available for all camps, retreats and other activities for the foreseeable future after April 30, events already scheduled before that date will take place. Camp Director Justin Busby will remain on staff and a task force will be formed to study Judson Baptist Retreat Center’s future. Middleton said the task force will report its findings during the BAGBR Annual Meeting in October. “Hopefully, they will be able to bring forward an approach and direction for the Center that will result in a new direction, reimagined, and reinvigorated for 2023 and beyond,” Middleton wrote on the camp's website. “Your prayers and input for the task force will be needed and appreciated. Within the next few weeks when the task force has been fully formed, we will be releasing the names of this team.  “Finally, we, as the churches of the Baptist … [Read more...]