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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

LCU social work department hosts first Continuing Education Series

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University's social work department hosted its first Continuing Education Series, Jan. 31, with more than 100 social work alumni, field supervisors and community social workers in attendance. Graves stressed how important it was for LCU to make the series affordable and accessible to all levels of social workers, including current graduate students who attended for free. CEUs are required for all licensed social workers. Ten in-person CEUs are required annually and can be difficult to find in the community, said Vanessa Graves, LCSW-BACS, MSW field director and associate professor. “We wanted to say thank you to all of the social workers in the local and surrounding areas of the state who have supported our BSW and MSW programs whether as former students and now alumni, serving as field supervisors, and/or networking with us as fellow social work professionals,” Graves said. Anxiety disorders and self-care was the topic of the afternoon session. “These [anxiety] disorders are rapidly increasing and currently the most diagnosed mental disorder in the United States,” Graves said. It is important as social workers who serve and treat individuals with these … [Read more...]

WMU expands Royal Ambassadors to include young men through 12th grade

By WMU Communications BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WMU Communications) – Boys in first grade can be a part of Royal Ambassadors and now continue their RA journey in missions discipleship through their senior year of high school. National WMU board members approved a recommendation on Jan. 13 for Royal Ambassadors to be the missions organization for boys and young men in grades 1–12 rather than just boys in grades 1–6. Challengers, which has been the name of the WMU missions organization for young men in grades 7–12, will still be used as the descriptor of those in grades 7–12 under the overall umbrella of RA. Royal Ambassadors, at its creation by WMU in 1908, was an organization for boys ages 9–17. “In the years that followed, changes were made that separated RA from older boys, which we argue negatively affected the ability of churches to seamlessly and effectively disciple older boys in missions,” said Keith Gates, ministry consultant for RA and Youth on Mission. “We are excited to bring missions discipleship for middle and high school young men back home to RA.” Gates said RA will benefit by extending its reach and making it a complete program for all boys and young men regardless of grade in school. “The church will … [Read more...]

Convergence media students attend, win at SEJC

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University convergence media and public relations students participated in the Southeast Journalism Conference at Mississippi State University in Starkville over the weekend and brought home several awards.  Nine students attended and participated in on-site competitions against students from other universities across the Southeast. Danny Cobb and Adán Wright placed third in TV sports.  In addition, Best of the South awards were given to the best student submissions representing published and broadcast works of journalism for 2024. The following students were recognized:  Kai Stone – TV hard news reporter, 4th place; TV feature reporter, 4th place; Cayden Walls – TV feature reporter, 5th place; and Wildcats Media sports podcast – Best audio program, 3rd place. SEJC includes 25 colleges and universities in the Southeast and is open to all schools in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky. … [Read more...]

Evangelism 101 (Part 1): The heart of soul winning

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Evangelism truly is a matter of the heart for both the soul winner and the lost soul. Indeed, without both hearts surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit, any sharing of the Gospel will be fruitless. Regardless of how eloquently or emotionally a personal testimony is articulated by a believer, unless God is making His appeal through the believer (2 Cor. 5:20) and the unbeliever’s spirit has been prepared by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 7:10), it is all for nought. Consider 2 Chronicles 7:14 which states “if My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Too often, Christians read this passage and immediately presume that they must fall prostrate in prayer or seek a solemn assembly with others. But when read in context, God is calling us to be “humble.” It is from this condition of the mind, the heart and the soul that we pray and seek His face. Then, in response to this spiritual state, He responds to listen, forgive and heal. Indeed, the Bible tends to define all spiritual processes in … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Marty Black is the Director of Missions for the Concord-Union Baptist Association. Robert Grafton is the new worship leader at the First Baptist Church, Bernice CRUSADES Bayou Macon Baptist Associational: Senior Adult Revival, February 24-26, 2025, 10 a.m. with a meal served after. Guest Speaker: Ron Burch. Worship Leader: Mark Lanier. February 24, Trinity Baptist Church; February 25, First Baptist Oak Grove; February 28, First Baptist Church Kilbourne. Searcy Baptist Church, Trout: LaSalle Parish Rally, February 1, 2 p.m. Pastor: Steve Jensen. REVIVAL ReFirst Baptist Church, Haynesville: Spring revival, February 2-5, 2025, Evangelist: Sam Moore. Pastor: Rob Burns. Bellevue Baptist Church, Jena: Spring Revival, February 2-5, Evangelist: … [Read more...]

LCU Day of Prayer set Feb. 2

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Just weeks before the board of trustees could announce their recommendation of a finalist to be the next president of Louisiana Christian University, Louisiana Baptists have been asked to set aside Feb. 2 as a day of prayer for the search committee, the pool of candidates and school. "I am so grateful for this focus of prayer among Louisiana Baptists for our school as we move closer to recommending our next president to serve and lead Louisiana Christian University in the years to come," LCU Presidential Search Committee Chairman Tommy Kiker, also pastor of East Leesville Baptist Church, told the Baptist Message. Established after a vote by messengers during the 2024 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, the special day will focus on specific needs for higher student enrollment, continued financial provisions, wisdom for the presidential search team; and strength and wisdom for Acting President David Jeffreys. Since June 2024, LCU has conducted a nationwide search for the 10th president of the nearly 120-year-old institution; and the search committee has received applications and recommendations from alumni, community members and a … [Read more...]

‘Pause’ retreat set Feb. 7-8 for pastors, wives

By Baptist Message staff WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – Pastors and their wives are invited to attend a weekend of encouragement, inspiration and wellness awareness during the third annual “Pause” retreat, Feb. 7-8, at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center. The event will feature encouraging messages from John Sullivan, former Florida Baptist State Convention executive director; Diana Swift, the wife of Louisiana Baptist Pastoral Leadership Strategist and be inspired from God’s Word.” Participants can choose hotel-style lodging and meals ($210), RV space with hookups and meals ($155) or commuter rate with meals ($140). Registration will begin 3 p.m., Feb. 7, with the retreat’s first session scheduled for 6 p.m. The retreat will conclude 1 p.m., Feb. 8. For more information, visit the Pause webpage. … [Read more...]

Louisiana Christian University’s first C3 event of spring scheduled for Feb. 4

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Robert “Bob” Stewart will be Louisiana Christian University’s guest speaker at its first Christ, Church and Culture event of the spring semester, Feb. 4. Stewart, who retired in 2024 as professor of philosophy and theology with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, will share more on "the world is messed up, but God raised Jesus from the dead." He is the editor of "The Resurrection of Jesus: John Dominic Crossan and N.T. Wright in Dialogue"; and "The Future of Atheism: Alister McGrath and Daniel Dennett in Dialogue". He has also authored "The Challenge of Unbelief: Understanding and Responding to Atheism (Studies in Christian Apologetics)" and "Memories of Jesus: A Critical Assessment of James D. G. Dunns Quest of the Historical Jesus." Stewart earned his master's degree in divinity and a doctoral degreee from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. The C3 event will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Guinn Auditorium. It is free and open to the public. … [Read more...]

LCU classes to be held online Thursday, Friday

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Out of an abundance of caution for students traveling to campus, Louisiana Christian University will hold classes Thursday and Friday, Jan. 23-24, online. Campus will be open, including the dining hall and all offices. Classes will go back to regular meeting schedule beginning Monday. … [Read more...]

CENLA Hymn Sing scheduled for Feb. 2

By Baptist Message staff TIOGA, La. (LBM) – Faith Baptist Church will host a hymn sing, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m., to bring together central Louisiana churches for a time of joint worship. The hymn sing will include reading of scripture, prayer and singing of hymns. Childcare also will be available for age four and under. A dessert fellowship will follow the hymn sing. "These gatherings are unique times of uplifting worship and good fellowship," Faith Baptist Pastor Clark Palmer told the Baptist Message. "Come be one of 100-plus voices filling the room with song." … [Read more...]