By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer KEITHVILLE, La. (LBM) – Chris Willcutt spent nearly eight years on his knees, praying for his daughter, Brooklyn, to accept Christ. Then, a month before her eighth birthday, his prayers were answered when her sister, Ryleigh, led her to a relationship with Christ. Brooklyn was baptized on her birthday, August 25, to publicly declare her newfound faith in the same baptistery where her father was obedient in believer’s baptism 18 years earlier. “We prayed so long for Brooklyn and to see our prayers answered, watching her spiritual journey, and, to be able to baptize her made it a special time for sure,” Willcutt told the Baptist Message. “That day, I was thinking about the faithfulness of God and how He brought my life from the ashes,” he said. “To see what He has done with my own children is, oh, so special.” Brooklyn Willcutt was among 15 new converts who participated in the baptism and baby dedication service. The participants mostly were elementary-aged children, but included four adults and two high school students. During the service, a video was shown of four other students who were baptized in the ocean during the church’s summer camp in Panama City, Florida, in … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE (LBM)--During the campus revival at Guinn Auditorium, Sept. 17-19, seven students repented and professed Christ as Savior, 20 repented and restored fellowship with the Lord, and, countless others sought prayer. The seven new believers are among 57 students who have surrendered their lives to Christ since the start of the fall semester -- 25 during a seminar on personal evangelism in August. LC President Rick Brewer told the Baptist Message the college’s faculty and staff and local pastors have prayed many months for God to move among the students. “The awakening has just begun,” Brewer said. “We can sense what God is doing here. We’re excited and are anticipating a mighty movement of the Holy Spirit.” DISCIPLED IN CHRIST Already, faculty and staff as well as local pastors have begun discipleship training with the 57. In fact, the college has developed a study guide, “Joy Through Suffering,” as part of this semester’s eight-part chapel series on 1 Peter. It will be used to disciple new believers, Baptist Collegiate Ministry meetings will feature the studies, and, 35 discipleship small groups which meet weekly will use it for in-depth discussions. VALUED IN CHRIST The revival services featured … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) – Jennifer Dykes, a Louisiana College alumnus, has been chosen by President Rick Brewer to be the assistant to the president. The Shreveport native graduated from LC in December of 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Marketing. “Ms. Dykes brings an amazing array of skills that are evidenced through her initiative and hard work,” Brewer said. “She is a determined young woman who has a refreshing blend of professionalism and approachability. We are blessed to have someone so talented and who also commendably represents the vision and values of Louisiana College. “Jennifer exemplifies our best and brightest of alums who are equally qualified and gainfully employed in significant roles across the country,” he added. As a member of the President’s Leadership Team, Dykes reports directly to the president, providing him executive-level support. She is responsible for a broad and complex set of assignments related to the duties of the president, including resource development, event planning, marketing, external relations, technology, and chief of the president’s office staff. She also oversees LC’s social media and website “The opportunity to join my alma … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — Jeff Ginn, pastor of the Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, which has a campus in Ascension as well as a Hispanic congregation at the main campus, will be nominated for president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2019 annual meeting. Kirk Jones, pastor of the Fellowship Church in Prairieville notified the Baptist Message, Oct. 3, of his intention to make the nomination because of Ginn’s “faithful service” as a pastor and his “heart for the Kingdom of God and the cooperative work of our Convention.” The LBC annual meeting is scheduled to be held in the Alexandria Riverfront Center, Nov. 11-12. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT Jones noted that he has known Ginn since 2011, especially in Ginn’s role of nurturing Fellowship Church, a congregation that averages nearly 1,000 in worship attendance now. “Istrouma was the sponsoring church of our church plant,” Jones told the Baptist Message. “Before Jeff arrived they had purchased property on our behalf and we had an agreement to pay them back when we were in the financial position to do so. “About the time Jeff arrived, Fellowship had grown enough to start paying back the loan,” Jones explained. … [Read more...]