Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Spiritual preps for the new school year

By Mark Robinson ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - The new semester is exciting for everyone — but especially for the campus minister, who is on the front lines of shaping disciples for Christ. In the coming weeks, campus ministers can better focus as they think and plan out the new school year: • Tackle administrative tasks early. Handle office work, phone calls and emails early in the day — before the “tyrant” called "Urgent" takes over the schedule; • Prioritize prayer; • Pray early and often; • Encourage a staff member or student to stop and pray with them throughout the day; • Keep prayers focused to help build a culture of prayer; • Foster a culture of evangelism; • Make transformation stories part of daily conversations; • Celebrate and share how God is working in students’ lives; • Keep the main thing the main thing. Preparing tacos for 300 is important — but spiritual growth is their true purpose; • Love family well. As they serve intensely, be intentional about loving their family even more intensely; • Record God’s faithfulness. Make notes of special acts of God to reflect on later when life slows down; • Stay rooted in the Word; • Don’t neglect your personal time in Scripture; and • Enjoy the energy of … [Read more...]

LCU adds siren warning system to safety measures on campus

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University, known for years as one of the safest college campuses in the state, is adding another tool to its safety and security practices—a siren alert warning system. The siren has been installed and is currently in the testing phase. It was made possible through the Department of Homeland Security’s FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The application and funding are long processes, according to Bryce Sanders, LCU executive director of Information Technology. Each year, FEMA puts out a list of grant opportunities and the equipment eligible for reimbursement. “All of the equipment is security-related, and that list changes every year,” Sanders said. Additional funding for the siren technology was received from the Union Pacific Railroad Foundation, said Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Henry O. Robertson, which has made the siren even more effective. The siren is a mass notification system that can be used to audibly inform faculty, staff, students and visitors to campus of any imminent threat, according to John Dauzat, director of Campus Security and Operations. LCU will begin phasing in the use of the siren for two … [Read more...]