Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

CENLA Pregnancy Center sees busy start to 2022

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The CENLA Pregnancy Center has seen a flurry of activity during the four months of 2022, from welcoming a new board president to starting construction on a third location in the state. After Brian Gunter resigned as board president in March, Ed Tarpley moved up from his position as vice president. Gunter moved out of the area to serve as the new pastor of the First Baptist Church in Livingston. Tarpley is a member of Kingsville Baptist Church, Ball. Todd St. Romain (a member of St. Paul the Apostolic Catholic Church, Mansura) was elected vice president of the 10-member board and Darryl Stagg (director of missions, CenLa and Big Creek Baptist Associations) was elected the new treasurer. Glen Harrigill (pastor, Riverside Baptist Church, Vidalia) is the representative from Delta Baptist Association, Vidalia, a new position on the board. CENLA Pregnancy Center Executive Director Claire Lemoine expressed appreciation for Gunter, whose vision to start a pregnancy care center in 2014 came to fruition when the doors opened in 2017 at 1254 MacArthur Drive, on the Louisiana Baptist Convention ministry center campus in Alexandria. “We are grateful for the … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Tiffany Falanga was recognized for 15 years as the youth and children’s minister at Airline Baptist Church, Metairie and not at Airline Baptist in Bossier City as reported in the March 31 edition of the Baptist Message. Brady, wife Emily, Kirby is the new pastor of Eastwood Baptist Church, Haughton from Virginia. Jarred Pellegrin is the new youth/ education minister at Ellerbe Road Baptist Church from Broadmoor Baptist Church. Tim, wife Stephine, Turnage is the new associate pastor at Lakeside Baptist Church. Ron Vollmar is the new pastor at Bonita Baptist Church, Mer Rouge. Joseph Kelley has resigned as pas[1]tor of Bethel Baptist Church, Franklinton. Joe, wife Amy, Luna is the new BCM director at Southeastern Louisiana University. Andrew, wife Taylor, Barber is the new student pastor at … [Read more...]

Suspected arson reported at Istrouma Baptist

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – An arson investigation is underway after security camera footage showed suspicious activity at Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, early Monday morning, April 18. “We are grateful for God’s protection over our people and facilities and thankful for our first responders,” Pastor Micah Cating wrote in a statement. Firefighters were called to the church at 7:28 a.m. Monday, the Baton Rouge Advocate reported. By that time, the fire had long been out. Arson investigators are searching for the subject. According to WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge, the surveillance footage captured an individual wearing a mask and gloves walking up to the building. A few moments later a flash occurred. No damage was reported to the building. Cating said the church continues to work with investigators. Anyone with information on the incident should contact fire investigators at 225.389.2050. … [Read more...]

NOBTS and LCU announce historical partnership involving M.Div., MBA, and MSW degrees

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS, La. (NOBTS) – Officials from Louisiana Christian University (LCU) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) signed a historical partnership agreement April 13. The partnership re-affirms transfer options for LCU graduates who study in the NOBTS Accelerated Master of Divinity program (M.Div.) established in 2019. The new agreement offers NOBTS students the opportunity to transfer credits toward the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees. The partnership will expand the training options available for God-called men and women in Louisiana and help students save time and money. Rick Brewer, president of LCU, and Jamie Dew, president of NOBTS, signed the agreement on the NOBTS campus in conjunction with the seminary Spring trustee meeting. “We are very excited about the leadership of Dr. Brewer, and we are so grateful to have Louisiana Christian University as a partner,” Dew said. “We are trying to do everything we can to make the pathways to ministry more efficient, for the Kingdom.” Brewer said he wants LCU to stand with partners who proclaim “thus sayeth the Lord” like NOBTS. He sees the expanded partnership as a … [Read more...]

LCU recognizes outstanding students, faculty at Honors Convocation

PINEVILLE, La. (LCUNews) – Students in academics and athletics were recognized at Louisiana Christian University’s 61st annual honors convocation April 14. Additionally, two faculty members were recognized with endowed professorships. English professor Julie Driessen received The McCormick-Huie Professorship in English and Journalism and Nicholas Maricle, assistant professor of Missions and Ministries, received the Lyndon E. Dawson, Sr., Professorship in Religion. Student awards are listed below by department: Art Central Louisiana Ad Club Scholarship Award: Nathaniel Madrid, Alexandria Grady Harper Scholarship Award: Jocelyn Holt, Salinas, California Thilo Steinschulte Scholarship Award: Sarah Brooks, Baytown, Maryland Athletics NAIA Student Athlete Award : Kae’ron Baker, Navasota, Texas & Kayla Dauthier, Jarreau Business ACBSP Student Leadership Award: Agigail Shields, Deville Central Louisiana Chapter of Society of Louisiana CPAs Round Robin Interview Scholarship: Adam Hair, Sulphur Outstanding Graduating Senior in Business: Administration : Adam Hair, Sulphur Outstanding Junior in Business Administration: Ting Jiang, Eunice & Salvador Palermo, Walker Society of LA CPAs … [Read more...]

NOBTS trustees approve $12 million campus renovation plan, rename student center in honor of Fred Luter

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS, La. (NOBTS) – The board of trustees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College approved a $12 million plan to make critical campus renovations including updates to student housing, the cafeteria and the student center during their spring meeting April 12 and 13. In addition, the board voted to rename the student center in honor of Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. The renewed cafeteria will be named in memory of Landrum P. Leavell II. Jamie Dew, president of NOBTS and Leavell College, shared the news of the student center naming with Fred Luter and the members of FABC on Easter Sunday. “Proverbs chapter three verse number 27 says this ‘Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do so,” Dew said during the naming announcement. “Pastor Luter you are clearly a man to whom honor is due and it is within our power to do so.” The newly renamed Fred Luter Jr. Student Center interior restoration is nearing completion after more than a year of work. Trustees also approved much-needed exterior upgrades to the student center to beautify the campus entrance and improve the center's … [Read more...]

Who should Clarence Thomas slap?

By Ron F. Hale When the Left smears you, they expect you to stay smeared. Vindicated by your tarnished reputation and political kneecapping — they relish injecting “smear boosters” into America’s collective memory to keep you in your place. Since 1991, Clarence Thomas has lived with a target on his back. Now, the radical secular left is aiming at Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, the wife of our Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Since establishing the January 6th Select Committee to investigate what took place at the United States Capitol, the Democrats and legacy media elites seem confident they have discovered a “29 text messages” story linking Ginni Thomas to a conspiracy. Writing for The Federalist, Mark Paoletta explains how the media got the story wrong from the start. Ginni Goes to Washington Virginia “Ginni” Lamp was born February 23, 1957, in Omaha, Nebraska. Her father was an engineer who created a successful firm. Her mother was a homemaker and both parents were Republicans. Ginni earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and business communications from Creighton University in 1979, followed by a law degree in 1983 from the same school. Pursing politics as a career, Ginni began working … [Read more...]

LBDR team touched by Ukrainian refugees’ spirit

By Baptist Message staff GDASNK, Poland (LBM) – In the short time Stan Statham has been in Poland, Louisiana Baptist’s Disaster Relief strategist has been touched by the spirit and resiliency of Ukrainian refugees who have sought refuge in Gdasnk. And in the months ahead, Statham reiterated that efforts by Louisiana Baptists and others would need to be stepped up to help provide for those who fled the ongoing violence in Ukraine. “They are uncertain about their future and wonder will they be able to return home,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “Daily provisions are going to be an ongoing concern. “But I am touched by the kindness and generosity of the refugees,” he continued. “They invite us in and offer us hot tea or whatever they have.” Statham with six other LBDR team members are in Poland for a week ministering to Ukrainian refugees at First Baptist Church, Gdansk. They spent much of their day on April 14 continuing to remodel an apartment that will house 16 Ukrainian refugees while also leading a Bible class for the children of the refugees. He asked Louisiana Baptists to consider praying and giving to ongoing relief efforts. One of the most pressing needs is for two ladies who speak Russian to come … [Read more...]

LCU students earn prestigious summer science opportunities at Southern Miss

PINEVILLE, LA (LCUNews) -- Two Louisiana Christian University science majors have earned coveted spots at the University of Southern Mississippi in research experiences for undergraduates (REU) this summer. Sophomore Joshua Poole, a pre-engineering with chemistry major from Lithia, Florida, will be doing his REU in the polymer science and engineering department. Junior Ethan West, a chemistry major from Pine Prairie, will be doing his REU in the Southern Miss chemistry department. Poole’s National Science Foundation funded program focuses on “polymer innovations for a sustainable future.” Poole said he is excited about the opportunity this gives STEM students to experience what an actual job in their major would be like. Plus, it comes with a $6000 stipend. West is participating in a National Science Foundation funded program focusing on “sensing and assembly based on non-covalent interactions,” he said. The central focus of the program is biochemistry, with the assembly of proteins and macromolecules, as well as the synthesis of bioactive molecules. “Ethan West and Josh Poole are both excellent students,” said David Elliott, chair of the Division of Natural Sciences. “Both are dedicated learners and gifted in … [Read more...]