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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

The privilege of prayer

By Waylon Bailey COVINGTON, La. – “What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!” I learned to sing the hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” as a child and teenager in church. I have never forgotten the words, especially these words, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” It is a privilege to pray–both to take our personal needs to God and to pray for others. As I write this, I have just had the privilege to join with one of the men of our church in praying for his wife. Prayer for others is a great privilege. It is also a Christian obligation. While we certainly pray for ourselves and for those close to us, we also have a responsibility to pray for the church and its mission around the world. Paul told the church to pray for all the saints, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). Paul asked the church at Colossae to pray for him and his work. “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that … [Read more...]

LC to host October conference on the role of women in ministry

By Elizabeth Christian, LCNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) – Louisiana College will host its annual C3 Conference Oct. 20 in the Granberry Conference Center on campus. The event, which will examine the role of women in ministry, was postponed from March. “We are pleased to host this seminar as a continuing ministry of Louisiana College addressing relevant matters through the intersection and convergence of Christ, Church and Culture,” said President Rick Brewer. “Our guest presenters will bring a unique, Christ-centered response to the role of women in 21st Century ministry. We are confident seminars such as 3C strengthen and stretch our students as they experience intellectual and spiritual growth at LC.” This year’s speakers are Victoria Dixon, Jess Archer and Amanda Walker. “We are delighted that Louisiana College is hosting a conference that highlights the ministry of women in the local church,” said Dr. Marvin Jones, assistant professor of theology and coordinator of C3 ministries. “This evening will be informational as it will address the pertinent issues of women who are seeking God’s calling, doing God’s will, and working in the biblical perimeters of ministry.” Dixon is pursuing a master’s of divinity at New … [Read more...]

Former LC music professor Ben Yang passes away at 73

By staff reports ALEXANDRIA, La. - Ben H. Yang, a former Louisiana College music professor, died Sunday, Oct. 11. He was 73. A native of Daegu, South Korea, Yang came to the United States in 1970 to pursue an advanced degree in music, receiving his master’s degree and Ph.D. in music composition and theory from the University of North Texas. Afterwards, he joined the Louisiana College music department in 1989 and taught music composition, musical theory and piano for nearly three decades before retiring in 2019. Yang was devoted to his students and would often spend long hours composing recommendation letters. He was a piano accompanist for many years at First Presbyterian Church in Alexandria and enjoyed volunteering to play the piano for residents at local nursing homes and assisted living facilities. He was an avid golfer and gardener and had a deep fondness for cats, particularly the family cats, Frisky and Tiger, who would only sleep by Yang's side at night. Yang is survived by his wife of 39 years, Amy Yang, and their daughter, Stephanie Yang, of Boston, Massachusetts. A memorial service will be held in Guinn Auditorium at Louisiana College at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. To send flowers to the family or … [Read more...]

Final day to register online for Nov. 3 election is today

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Today is the final day for online registration to vote in the Nov. 3 election. According to a news release from Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, Louisiana residents can register to vote and make changes to their registration at GeauxVote.com. A Louisiana driver’s license or special ID must be used upon submission online. Early voting is scheduled for Oct. 16 to Oct. 27 (excluding Sundays), from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Polls on Nov. 3 will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to casting their vote for president and congress, Louisianans will have the opportunity to approve a number of amendments, including one that could protect state pro-life laws in the state. Known as the Love Life Amendment (also known as Amendment #1), this change to the state constitution is needed because of developments in 12 other states. In each case, a state court ruled that it had found in that particular state constitution a right to abortion – but the rulings were based on creative interpretations of a general phrase or vague wording and not on anything that specifically stated such rights. … [Read more...]