By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) -  Hundreds of Louisiana Christian University students, faculty  and staff spent the afternoon of March 25 serving the CENLA community. SENDLA, which is a phonetic play on the familiar CENLA for Central Louisiana, is rooted in the call of Matthew 28, where Jesus commands His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations.” LCU President Mark Johnson began the university’s first-ever SENDLA event with a campus-wide abbreviated chapel service, encouraging participants before everyone split into community groups. “We are going out sharing the Gospel in many ways, shapes and forms,” he said. Participating organizations included First Baptist Church, Pineville; Philadelphia Baptist Church Horseshoe Drive, Alexandria; Family of Grace Church, Alexandria; the Hope House, Alexandria; Fostering Community, Alexandria; Food Bank of Central Louisiana, Alexandria; Main Street Mission, Pineville; Rapides Parish Library System; CENLA Pregnancy Center, Alexandria; and Faith Baptist Church, Tioga. Johnson led a group of about 30 students who visited with residents in the neighborhood surrounding the campus. “It was good to see young people leading the way,” he said. … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff HINESTON, La. (LBM) – Former Rapides Parish Sheriff  William Earl Hilton died from injuries sustained from a hit-and run incident March 23 leaving a huge void in Central Louisiana and law enforcement community in the state. According to the RPSO, their office received a call just before 1 p.m. on Monday that a hit-and-run had taken place in the Hineston area. Hilton was found with severe injuries and was airlifted to Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria. The release went on to say the suspect intentionally fled the scene. Deputies and troopers attempted to make a traffic stop on LA 28 near Leavines Road but the suspect refused and left the scene at a high rate of speed. Following a high-speed chase with speeds of more than 100 mph, spike strips were deployed  on LA 28 near Cloverleaf Boulevard in Alexandria where the arrest of the suspect took place without further issue. Hilton, who was a member of Homewood Baptist Church, Alexandria, served in law enforcement for more than 50 years, including 16 years as RPSO sheriff. He also was a member of  the Louisiana National Guard for six years, and was inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame in 2006 and Louisiana Political Hall of … [Read more...]