By Norm Miller, Message correspondent PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) - In 1993, Samaritan’s Purse launched Operation Christmas Child, and since 1993, Mary Deen has filled shoeboxes with gifts and grooming items to be sent to children around the world. “I can’t look at any box without thinking of the children,” she said. “I packed boxes with my own children to teach them to give, because some children never receive a gift of any kind. Now, some of my grandchildren are packing boxes. We can’t take the boxes to the children in faraway places, other people do that for us. I like to call it ‘missionary in a box.’” For the last five years, Deen has been the regional media spokesperson for OCC.  She attends Journey Church in Pineville, where she is the shoebox project leader. In 2009, OCC began including a 12-week discipleship course option called “The Greatest Journey.” Trained event leaders share the Gospel when children receive a gift box. Children who choose to follow Jesus are offered the opportunity to complete the study. The course equips them to become faithful followers of Christ and teaches them how to share their faith. More than 26.5 million children have enrolled in this course. Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes have … [Read more...]

By Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, La. (Wildcats Media) – LC Opera will open its 2021-22 season Nov. 4 with the comedy “Die Fledermaus.” The opera runs nightly at 7 p.m., Nov. 4-6 and Nov. 11-13. Set in 1899 at a New Year’s Eve ball in Vienna, Italy, “Die Fledermaus” begins with a celebration that ends “in a twisted turn of events.” The opera is co-directed by LC Professor of Music Kate Rawls and Artistic Director of Theatre Louisiana College Tabitha Huffman. LC Director of Bands Josh Davis will conduct a 14-piece orchestra. Tickets are $5 for LC students, faculty, and staff; $12 for senior citizens and non-LC students; and $15 for others. A rate of $10 is available for groups of 10 or more. For additional information on ticket purchases, call 318.613.4064 or visit the LC Opera website. … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, Louisiana College communications PINEVILLE, La. (LC) – Louisiana College's Center for Calling & Career will host a career fair for soon-to-be graduating Wildcats, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in the Granberry Conference Center. “We are excited to bring in over 30 local, regional and national businesses to promote job opportunities for our upcoming graduates -- and internships as well,” said CCC Executive Director Meredith Rennier. According to the school’s website, the center helps students seeking internships and career advice as well as information about jobs available that relate to their respective majors. Since it launched in August, CCC has held an on-campus student job fair as well as workshops in résumé writing and “LinkedIn 101.” For more information, email Meredith.Rennier@lacollege.edu. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Freedom of religion is a long-held constitutional right, and it is up to the younger generation and others to fight for this important belief through thoughtful and civil engagement, Brittany Jones said during Louisiana College’s Christ Church Culture (C3) event, Oct. 28. “I encourage you all as you seek to live out your life and go on from Louisiana College to think through ‘How can I meld what I have been taught here and meld my beliefs and my beliefs system but also approach issues with kindness and compassion and to engage our world well?’” Jones told LC students and community members gathered inside Guinn Auditorium. Jones made a special emphasis to address vaccine mandates by governments and for-profit corporations, and church closure orders during the pandemic. Jones, director of policy and engagement for Kansas Family Voice, made “The Case of Religious Freedom” at the second C3 event of the fall semester. Jones, an attorney, graduated from Louisiana College in 2014 and earned her law degree from Regent University School of Law. Her focus at Kansas Family Voice primarily is on religious freedom, pro-life, education choice and combatting … [Read more...]