Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

The SBC truly ‘exists’ only two days per year

By Don F. Mabry ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)--Each year in June, the Southern Baptist Convention holds an annual meeting -- in recent years beginning on the second Tuesday in June and closing the next day. This schedule highlights the reality of the nature of the SBC: It only exists two days every year. During the other 363 days, the SBC Constitution assigns specific duties to the officers, boards, institutions, and commissions of the Convention to conduct the business and execute the budgets approved by the messengers. But, legally, there is no SBC. Indeed, the SBC truly is not a denomination but in effect is merely a meeting, a gathering akin to the conventions held every four years by the two major political parties – a mix of rally and business. While millions of people refer to themselves as Southern Baptists, the truth is that churches are not members of the SBC and most members of these churches are not members of the SBC. According to Article III of the SBC Constitution, “The Convention shall consist of messengers who are members of Baptist churches in cooperation with the Convention.”  This founding document specifies what constitutes a cooperating church and explains how many messengers each cooperating church … [Read more...]

LC students, faculty awarded top regional, national journalism honors

By Staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Three Louisiana College journalism students were recognized for their work in the Southeast Journalism Best of the South Competition for 2021. Alena Noakes, Kylei Cornelison and Joel Thompson competed against 45 colleges and universities. Noakes took second in press photography; Cornelison finished 14th in feature writing and seventh in op-ed writing and Thompson was fifth in op-ed writing. Noakes and Cornelison won in the Society of Professional Journalists Region 12 Mark of Excellence. Noakes won in feature and general news photography and was finalists in editorial writing while Cornelison was a finalist in podcast. Winners in each category go on to compete in the national competition. Even though the National Federation of Press Women Communication Contest 2020 awards ceremony was postponed due to COVID-19, LC still earned three awards in the at-large contest. In the professional category, faculty members Elizabeth Clarke and Brian Manuel as well as students Jerry Clark and Noakes took second for their investigative podcast series “Telling Lives: Cold Cases in a True Way.” Thompson placed first in collegiate op-ed writing, and Noakes placed first in collegiate photography. … [Read more...]

Fire heavily damages Trinity Fellowship Hall

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – A fire heavily damaged the fellowship hall at Trinity Baptist Church in Pineville Sunday evening, April 18. According to Pastor Kevin Roberts, he and other church members were visiting in the parking lot at 8:30 p.m. when they noticed smoke coming from the roof of the building. Fire crews from Alpine, Kolin, Holiday Village and Pineville were on the scene four minutes after Roberts and other church members called 911. The cause of the fire was still under investigation Monday morning, April 19. He asked for continued prayers as they determine what to do next. “We are very grateful no one was inside when the fire broke out,” Roberts told the Baptist Message. “Had we not been here when the fire began, it may have jumped to other parts of the campus. We are very grateful we were here and caught it so fast, and that so many fire departments got here as quickly as they did.” … [Read more...]

Louisiana Athletic Club celebrates its 20th anniversary April 20

PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana Athletic Club has a series of special events planned this month to coincide with its 20th anniversary. The venue, which was established in 2001 and was jointly owned by CHRISTUS and LC for 19 years, is now solely owned by Louisiana College following the transfer of ownership last year. LAC will celebrate its anniversary on April 20 at 3 p.m. with refreshments, treats and door prizes along with performances by the Louisiana College band and LAC tap ladies. School President Rick Brewer, club manager Ronnie Schwartz and a representative from CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria will deliver remarks and the public is encouraged to attend. “LC continues the outstanding tradition that LAC had with Cabrini for many years,” Brewer said. “And we will continue to work to improve upon the outstanding service that people have grown accustomed to receiving over the last two decades.” Louisiana Athletic Club also will reveal new logos to coincide with the anniversary celebration, which will more clearly identify its affiliation with the college. The club will be re-launching its pro shop with new apparel featuring the rebranded logos. Leading up to the celebration, LAC will host a … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist DR teams respond following weekend storms

By Baptist Message staff Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief crews spent the weekend assessing damage and clearing debris from properties that were impacted by a strong line of storms that came through the state. Gibbie McMillan, Louisiana Baptists state disaster relief coordinator, told the Baptist Message that crews from Wilda Baptist Church, Boyce, and Big Cane Baptist Church, Morrow, removed a tree that fell on a home in Bayou Jack. DR members Reggie Saxton and Tom Rabalais also assessed homes in Palmetto, which was heavily damaged by an EF-3 tornado packing 140 mph winds. The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down on Bolden Road in St. Landry Parish at 2:06 am Saturday. The tornado destroyed several homes, including a single wide mobile home that rolled for more than 320 yards and caused the death of a man inside the residence. St. Landry Parish Police Jury President Jessie Bellard confirmed the fatality as Jose Antonio Higareda, 27. The National Weather Service also reported that seven other people in the area were injured, 15 homes were damaged, numerous trees and power lines were snapped and some barns and outbuildings were destroyed. Further north, Jerry Smith, 48, died after a tree … [Read more...]

Calling and career focus of LC C3 event April 13

By Staff, Baptist Message PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Dry Creek native and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Professor R. Keith Loftin will headline Louisiana College’s second “Christ Church Culture” lecture of the year on April 13. Loftin, the author of several books including “Stand Firm: Apologetics and the Brilliance of the Gospel,” will share with students, faculty and members of the community a presentation on “calling and career.” "As human beings, we are created in God's image,” Loftin said. “We are created with purpose. We are created to work. Indeed, we are created to flourish. These truths harmonize in the Christian notion of vocation, and that notion can revolutionize how we think about education." The event comes months before LC launches its new Quality Enhancement Plan, which will focus on service-learning. Brewer said he wants to make sure students understand the importance of their academic education is preparation for real-world service. “No matter what call God has placed on your life, our role is to serve others and represent His kingdom,” Brewer said. “Our QEP, which launches in the fall, is LC Serves. Live Connected. This seminar will focus on better understanding on how college education … [Read more...]

LC to recognize Dean’s List, Honors students April 15

By Staff, LCNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) – Louisiana College will recognize academically outstanding students April 15. Students will be recognized at an honors convocation at 11 a.m. and at a pair of dean’s list ceremonies at 5:30 and 7 p.m. All three in-person award ceremonies will take place at Guinn Auditorium. Social distancing will be practiced and attendees should wear masks. The honors convocation will recognize students for their outstanding academic efforts and will include scholarship awards. The Dean’s List ceremony includes students who have earned all A’s and B’s in their courses in the fall semester. Freshmen and sophomores will be recognized at 5:30 p.m. while juniors and seniors will be honored at 7 p.m. Students from the fall semester will also be recognized during this time. … [Read more...]