By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana will remain in a modified version Phase 2 for at least three more weeks, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said on Tuesday, Feb. 9. The current phase was set to expire Wednesday, Feb. 10, but now will be extended for another 21 days. During his news conference, Edwards said while the state has seen COVID-19 rates dropping which is a positive, the possibility of another surge in cases associated with the new U.K. variant of the virus and the approaching Mardi Gras holiday has caused some concern by state health officials. “There has been some progress over the last month or so,” he said. “And we are very, very thankful for that. The fact of the matter is the baseline numbers remain very high and concerning.” He asked Louisianans to continue wearing masks, observe proper social distancing measures and avoid social gatherings. “I am very hopeful when we next announce the new proclamation that we will be able to ease some restrictions if we continue on the path that we currently are,” he said. “So I encourage people to do your part. Be a good neighbor.” Under the order that is in effect until March 3, attendance at churches will continue to be limited to 75 … [Read more...]

By Staff PINEVILLE, La. – Pineville senior Leanna Lanford won Louisiana College’s prestigious Smith Scholarship competition Jan. 30. The Pineville High senior won over 14 other competitors a scholarship that covers tuition, books and room and board. Lanford noted that she leaned on her faith when she was diagnosed with an autonomic nervous system disorder about a year-and-a-half ago. “Throughout my high school career, I knew that LC was the place I wanted to go because I wanted to grow in that faith,” Lanford said in her acceptance speech. “And I wanted to learn more about my condition, which is why I am studying in pre-med and going to become a pediatric cardiology to help kids just like myself.” Lanford, whose parents are graduates of Louisiana College, plans on studying pre-med as she pursues a calling as a pediatric cardiologist. She will attend LC with her twin brother, Ethan. “We are very thankful for the students who honored us by entering the competition,” LC President Rick Brewer said. “We are especially honored that Leanna has heard and answered God’s calling and wants to begin preparing for her call at Louisiana College.” The Smith Scholarship began in the 1970s after Tom and Beverly Dunham began an … [Read more...]

By staff, Wildcat Media PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) - Louisiana College will host two events to celebrate Black History Month in February. The school will host a symposium Feb. 2 and a Gospel concert Feb. 16. Both events will take place at 6 p.m. inside Guinn Auditorium. “Recently, Niche.com recognized Louisiana College as the second most diverse college or university in Louisiana,” said Louisiana College President Rick Brewer. “The beauty of that fact is that this has happened not by a specific strategy but by people of all ethnicities desiring the Christ-centered educational experience we offer. At Louisiana College we celebrate our diversity by daily living out our Mission and Vision.” “We really have something precious here at LC,” said Joshua Joy Dara, associate vice president for engagement and enrichment. Just look at the facts, our student body is diverse, our faculty is diverse, our staff is diverse, our coaches are diverse, our leadership is diverse and even our SGA is diverse.” Panelists for the symposium will include: -- Juan Castro, professor of finance and economics, from Honduras -- Emmanuel Johnson, associate professor of social work, from India -- Neil Johnson, associate professor of English, from … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- Despite COVID-19 restrictions, pro-life supporters still found a way to band together at 32 locations statewide Jan. 23 to declare their love for life. Originally, the annual life marches were scheduled to take place around the state over a three-week period in January and February, but novel coronavirus pandemic concerns caused organizers to alter the format to a one-day, social-distanced life chain event for “Stand for Life, Louisiana.” Only the Baton Rouge event included a program that featured messages, music and prayer. Ben Clapper, executive director for Louisiana Right to Life, told the Baptist Message that while they did not have an official attendance count, he estimated more than 1,000 people turned out for the life chains. "Even in the face of the Covid pandemic, pro-lifers in Louisiana cannot sit idly by why abortion continues to take the lives of Louisiana babies,” Clapper said. “It is inspiring that more than 31 groups gathered to stand for life in their communities.  While we couldn't march this year as we normally do, we know that our march continues daily to save every baby and help every mother." Brian Gunter, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pollock who … [Read more...]

By Staff, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, LA (LBM) -- An act of generosity that began with a $100 scholarship for one Baton Rouge teenager has multiplied many times over during the last 60 years to affect countless young people at Louisiana College. Don Hill, president of DMH & Associates, a company that provides consulting and marketing services to clients in the financial services industry, said that $100 was enough back in 1960 to tilt the scales for him, and he enrolled in Louisiana College to study math and business. As a high school senior, Hill was given a $100 scholarship to attend Louisiana College, and that settled his college decision. “My whole life has been God leading me,” he said. “Louisiana College was the right spot for me.” Since then, Hill, a 1964 summa cum laude LC graduate, with his wife Terry, have spent their lives giving back. The Hills have been providing scholarships for five LC students each year for several years now through the Board of Visitors Scholarship Fund started by the school’s president, Rick Brewer, in 2015. The Hills were founding members. They also have used various ways to give back to LC from cash donations--from donating appreciated stocks to making Qualified … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer JOYCE, La. (LBM) – Hurricane Laura damaged the fellowship hall of Union Baptist Church in Joyce, Aug. 27, leaving the congregation of 30 active members to seek God’s help in rebuilding the facility. Five weeks after the storm blew a tree on top of the facility, their prayers were answered. Throughout November, as the result of organizing efforts by leaders of the North Central Baptist Association, the congregations of First Baptist Church in Calvin, First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Winnfield and Sweetwater Baptist Church in Quitman sent volunteers to remodel the kitchen and replace the roof. Members of Atlanta Baptist Church, Bethlehem Baptist Church in Winnfield, Quitman Baptist Church, South Winnfield Baptist Church and Welcome Home Baptist Church in Dodson also provided meals each day for the volunteers. Pastor Mike Green told the Baptist Message he was encouraged that so many churches stepped up and modeled the body of Christ in action for those in need. “My hat goes off to everyone who gave up their time and resources to come out and help us out,” Green said. “They were a great Godsend when we needed a helping hand.” Craig James, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer COTTON VALLEY, La. (LBM) – The 10 active members of Cornerstone Baptist Church were finalizing plans to close in late 2019, meeting with Webster-Claiborne Baptist Association Director of Missions Randy Hales to share their desire that the property would continue to be used for ministry after they disbanded. For several months the association, which was given ownership of the campus, resisted offers to sell the facility, believing God would provide a church to continue ministry efforts at the former Cornerstone Baptist site. Then in July, Unity Baptist Church in Cotton Valley approached Hales with the idea of using the assets as a community ministry hub. Two months later, the location was brought back to life. Since Unity Baptist launched the ministry center in September, they have hosted a prayer gathering, organized two food distribution events and invited an African-American congregation, formerly affiliated with the Methodist Church, to meet in the facility every Sunday. Gene Gibson, pastor of Unity Baptist, said the community of 1,000 has embraced the effort. “The community absolutely loves this,” he said. “They have stopped by the church office to ask when the next food … [Read more...]