Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

J.D. Greear to be SBC president nominee

By Baptist Press Staff DALLAS (BP) - North Carolina pastor J.D. Greear will be nominated for SBC president, Florida pastor Ken Whitten announced Jan. 29. WHOLEHEARTED ENDORSEMENT Whitten, pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Fla., told Baptist Press that Greear, 44, "is all about what Southern Baptists have been all about." "We bleed missions. We bleed evangelism, and we bleed the Gospel of Jesus Christ ... J.D. Greear will give us the opportunity to impact another generation while continuing to honor the former generation of Southern Baptists,” he added. GREEAR’S REMARKS Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in Durham, N.C., released a statement to BP, announcing, "I am again allowing my name to be placed in nomination" after "a lot of prayer, encouragement and counsel, with the consent of our [Summit] leadership team and Veronica my wife." "The basic things that God laid on my heart haven't changed from 2016 and I feel more committed to them than ever," Greear added, according to BP. BP attributed Greear with stating he would emphasize "the Gospel above all"; "cultural and racial diversity"; "intentional, personal evangelism"; "church planting"; and, "engagement of the next generation in cooperative … [Read more...]

Louisiana College enrollment up again

By Norm Miller PINEVILLE (LCNews) - A two-year trend of enrollment growth continues at Louisiana College, which reports an 18 percent head count increase since the 2017 spring semester. Spring enrollment reflects a 53 percent increase in graduate students and an eight percent increase in traditional undergraduate students. High school dual enrollment also doubled. The continuing increases have reversed a 5-year downward spiral in enrollment that began in 2010. “There is no magical formula here,” said Rick Brewer, president of the college. “Success still requires a vision and the hard work to fulfill it.” Particularly gratifying for Brewer is the number of transfer students. “These students have essentially recruited us and have left other good schools for what we have to offer. Some of them considered enrolling at LC last fall but attended elsewhere, yet they have come back saying that they should have begun here initially.” Brewer noted the struggles LC endured prior to his unanimous election by trustees in 2015 are continually overshadowed by the innovative strategies developed in, and implemented by, the college’s President’s Leadership Team. “These enrollment successes require a team that’s ‘all in,’” said … [Read more...]

Noakes takes home full scholarship to Louisiana College in prestigious competition

Louisiana College President Rick Brewer presents the Smith Scholarship trophy to Prospect resident Alena Noakes, a student at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches, after she was announced the winner of a full scholarship to Louisiana College. All of the competitors were judged according to their academic performance, leadership traits, and Christian commitment. Runners-up who enroll at LC this fall will be awarded an annual scholarship of $8500 and admitted into the C.S. Lewis Scholars Honors Program. Addyson Baden photo … [Read more...]

Louisiana College announces winner of Smith Scholarship

Prospect resident Alena Noakes (fourth from left, front row) won Louisiana College's prestigious Smith Scholarship competition Jan. 27.  The winner was announced at a luncheon for all the competitors. Noakes beat out 24 other competitors, all of the competitors were judged according to their academic performance, leadership traits, and Christian commitment. Runners-up who enroll at LC this fall will be awarded an annual scholarship of $8500 and admitted into the C.S. Lewis Scholars Honors Program. Addyson Baden photo … [Read more...]

U.S. Rep. Johnson releases statement after State of the Union speech

WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Donald Trump delivered the annual State of the Union speech Jan. 30. Among those releasing a statement following the speech was U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana and a member of First Baptist Church, Bossier City. “This has been a historic year for the Trump administration, for Congress and for the American people," Johnson said in an e-mailed statement. "Many of the burdensome and duplicative regulations put in place under the previous administration’s regulatory state have been repealed, our military has once again become a priority, our economy is surging and people all across the nation have already begun to reap the benefits of our landmark Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. We should celebrate these achievements, but never rest—as there is much work yet to do.   “The president delivered a positive message and a bold vision for an even stronger and safer America. I look forward to investing again in our eroding infrastructure, solving the illegal immigration problems facing our nation and rebuilding our military to promote peace through strength. We have accomplished so much in just this first year, and I believe that momentum will continue through 2018 and beyond. We have a … [Read more...]

What every church needs

By Waylon Bailey Most of the people who read this blog are very much interested in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Most go to church and most want the church to do well. What is it that every church needs? Let me give you some ideas. First, people who pray. Almost always we look for the wrong things to be first and foremost about the church. We look at power or prestige or money instead of looking at the prayers of the people. The church needs people who pray—fervently,  believing, and urgently. Second, people who serve. Jesus made serving the centerpiece of the church. He gave the church Himself as an example. He did not come to be served but to serve. Churches are blessed or crippled by the amount of service by the people. Third, people who give. Most churches give far below their potential. We’ve said it many times before, God has provided all we need if only we will give what He has given to us. Fourth, people who exalt Christ. The church is about Christ. It is not about us or our desires. Christ is the head of the church, and we are His body. Fifth, humility. God opposes the proud but exalts the humble. Humility pleases God. Every church needs it. Humility is the recognition that the Lord is God and … [Read more...]