Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

LCU holds 2026 commencement exercises

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University held its 171st commencement, May 9, in Guinn Auditorium on campus.  Conferred were 72 master’s degrees and 120 undergraduate degrees. Graduates included students who finished their degrees in December 2025, May 2026 and who will complete their coursework in August 2026. The 10 a.m. ceremony included the undergraduates who earned degrees from the School of Sciences, Computing and Artificial Intelligence, the School of Christian Studies, the College of Health and Professional Programs, the Schools of Humanities and Social Sciences and the School of Media, Communication and Fine Arts. The 2 p.m. ceremony included the undergraduates and graduate students from the Ray and Dorothy Young School of Business, the School of Education and the School of Social Work. Vice President of Academic Affairs Henry Robertson, who has served the university for 20 years, offered his reflections on his time as a professor and as an administrator. This was his last commencement at LCU.  “This has been my biggest joy, to be your instructor,” he said. “These are moments and times of service never to be forgotten.” He also thanked the faculty and staff … [Read more...]

Five insights from Ben Sasse as he faces his last days on Earth

Fifty-four-year-old former Nebraska senator, husband, and father of three, Ben Sasse, was tragically diagnosed only six months ago with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and told he had three to four months to live. While the clinical trial that his doctors put him on has given him more time on earth than doctors predicted, the cancer has sadly continued to spread to his liver, lymph nodes, lung, and vascular system. … [Read more...]

LCU’s nationally ranked tennis team makes history

 By LCU News PINEVILLE (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University’s tennis team may be young—the program restarted just three years ago—but it’s definitely a smash. The tennis team, led by Coach Alexandra Starkova, who began resurrecting the team in 2022 thanks to some generous donors, finished its regular season ranked #13 in the nation, with a 12-6 record, including conference matches, some of which are D1 schools.  LCU previously had both men’s and women’s tennis from 1997 until 2016, when the program was disbanded.   “The opportunity to join LCU came from an unexpected place, and now the program is healthier than ever with its first-ever winning records, national appearances, updated facilities, and frequent visits from fans that the courts had not seen since the tennis team’s inception,” Starkova said.  The hard work that Starkova and her players have put in has paid off. In a history-making season, the tennis team heads to the NAIA National Tournament Championship being held in Mobile, Alabama, May 12-16. Only 24 teams in the country will be competing for the title.   “Congratulations to our LCU tennis team on an outstanding season,” said President Mark Johnson. “Your hard work, discipline and sportsmanship have made … [Read more...]