By Mike Midkiff, ETBU Public Relations MARSHALL, Texas – It had been more than 20 years since Pastor Aaron Dickinson of Swartz First Baptist Church in Monroe had set foot back on the campus of East Texas Baptist University. On June 1, Dickson, who is in his first year as pastor at Swartz, returned to the campus June 1 and brought a group of senior adults from his church to attend ETBU’s annual senior adult conference, Hilltop University, to enjoy three days of fun, fellowship, worship, preaching, and Biblical teaching focused on revival and renewal. Dickson said his group came to this particular conference because he was looking for a spiritual retreat experience for his senior adults that would be fun and inspiring. “I knew about the Senior Adult Conference when I was a student here at ETBU,” said Dickinson. “I looked the conference up online to see if they were still holding it because I wanted to find a regional event our senior adults could attend. We do not have a conference like this one in Louisiana.” Over 270 campers attended representing 56 difference churches -- with 50 from Texas, four from Louisiana, and two from Arkansas. Brook Wood Baptist Church, Shreveport, First Baptist Church, Bossier, and First Baptist … [Read more...]

Andy Kanengiser, Mississippi College News Bureau CLINTON, Miss. -- One hundred kids from Louisiana’s Greenwell Springs Baptist Church were part of the first wave of FUGE campers building their faith at Mississippi College in early June. Participating in lively worship services, playing fun games, and ministering to folks at Jackson area nursing homes were just a few of the life-changing projects visitors from the Bayou State experienced at the 2016 FUGE camp. “The Holy Spirit was present here – you could feel it day and night,” Elisa Bankston said. She was among 20 parent chaperones from the church near Baton Rouge returning to the Baptist-affiliated University. “The staff did a great job. This is a well-run camp.’’ For a few hours, June 8, students and parents from Greenwell Springs Baptist temporarily left the Clinton campus to share the love of Jesus Christ to the elderly at nursing homes and to encourage foster children. They also delivered the Good News to families at apartments in Mississippi’s capital city and did yard work in the hot sun and took on other tasks as a means to earn the opportunity to spread their message. Coming to one of LifeWay’s Fuge camps for the second straight summer at MC will reap long-term … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message Lifted up by the prayers of thousands from across Louisiana, the nation and even the world, Rose Landry Long’s family sought God’s intervention. Doctors at MD Anderson did what had previously been said could not be done -- they removed a large tumor from her brain. When Rose Long, the wife of State Sen. Gerald Long, first learned of the diagnosis, she knew she was facing the battle of her life. The Long family did the only thing they knew to do … they put the situation in God’s Hand and asked for intervention through prayer. The response has been humbling. And now, her family is expressing their heart-felt gratitude for the many who did pray. “To say we have felt the prayers would be a gross understatement,” said Pam Long Jordan, daughter of the Longs, who are members at First Baptist Church in Natchitoches and strong supporters of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Northwestern State University. Doctors discovered a pair of tumors following a PET scan on June 1 but were hesitant to operate. They finally operated on June 16. “Our first neurosurgeon at MD Anderson was not able to perform the surgery in the time we wanted, so the chief of neurosurgery at MD Anderson took Mom’s case and removed … [Read more...]

The first-ever marriage retreat cruise hosted by Franklin Avenue Baptist Church is fast approaching. Scheduled for Aug. 25-29, the One Love Cruise will feature dynamic marriage enrichment sessions, men's and women's breakout discussions, fun and fellowship. Registration closes 30 days before departure. For the past 26 years, the church has hosted marriage retreats. They have grown from 50 couples when they first started to more than 400 during it most recent one. Already, 300 of the 450 available cabins the church has reserved have been booked. The Carnival cruise will leave from New Orleans for Cozumel. Gary Mack Sr., pastor of Family Life at Franklin Avenue Baptist, said the theme is One Love: one man, one woman, for one lifetime. “The retreat is a great opportunity for a husband and wife to spend time learning what it takes to have a marriage that last a lifetime,” he said. “Our prayer is that couples will experience renewal, relaxation, and romance.” For further information visit fabcmarriageretreat.com, or Pastor Mack at 504.488.8488, extension 122, or at gmack@franklinabc.com. … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, Louisiana College communications PINEVILLE - Louisiana College’s annual TEACH training and conference will feature a return visit to LC by Linda Karges-Bone, June 29. An author of 34 books on parenting and education, Karges-Bone’s most recent book “Rich Brain, Poor Brain: Bridging Social and Synaptic Gaps in Schools” is a bestseller that has captured the attention of educators nationwide. She will offer a two-part presentation in LC's Bolton Chapel, June 29, from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m., and then 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. “Having known Dr. Bone for almost three decades as a colleague at Charleston Southern University, I can assure those attending our TEACH program that they will receive more than instruction. Dr. Bone’s approach and content will enlighten the intellect and instill inspiration,” said Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana College. Nancy O. Taylor, headmistress of The Regis School in Houston, Texas, said: "It is a rare opportunity to host a person who can ‘think on her feet’ and field every question sent her way. The range of [Dr. Bone’s] research, contacts, and knowledge is impressive. She impeccably models how to teach as she nurtures and inspires confidence in her audiences." Jamie Norwood, an elementary … [Read more...]