By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) – Louisiana College administrators implemented proactive and reactive measures March 3 in anticipation of a possible outbreak of the Corona Virus on campus. “The first consideration is to maintain the proper perspective with an understanding of the risks involved,” said President of Louisiana College Dr. Rick Brewer. “While we advise the maintenance of a calm approach, the measures we have implemented and are prepared to implement are based on information from the Center for Disease Control and the Louisiana Office of Public Health.” Additional hand sanitizers will be installed in classrooms on Monday, March 16. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to always carry a bottle of hand sanitizer. The President’s Leadership Team and Louisiana College’s Academic Council are monitoring the situation closely and are prepared to launch the College’s Continuity of Operations Plan that facilitates the bulk of academic work to be completed online should the need arise to discontinue face-to-face classroom instruction. An email to the entire faculty, staff, and student body sent March 3 relayed public health information and details in this news release. Also, detailed … [Read more...]

SLIDELL, La. (LBM) – Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Slidell recently celebrated the installation of its new pastor, Jerry Smith. During a special service Feb. 9, Pastor Emeritus Bob Heustess symbolically presented the keys to the senior pastor’s office to Smith, who has served on the ministerial staff at the church for 25 years. A graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Smith has been associate pastor at Grace Memorial Baptist since 1997. He also was a youth minister there while attending seminary from 1990-1992. He previously served on staff at Pine Forest Baptist Church and West Pensacola Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida; Second Avenue Baptist Church in Roma, Georgia; and Gardendale Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Smith and his wife, Mary Jane, have three children.   … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Bill Robertson, who served 12 years as director of pastoral leadership until he retired in November 2019 to pastor Fellowship Baptist Church in Trout full time, was remembered by family and friends as a soul winner whose passion for the local church continued up to his death Feb. 24. Faithful to proclaiming the Gospel until the end, Robertson was baptizing others his final week on earth. He baptized his last new convert Feb. 16. Moreover, Robertson baptized 20 people and added 15 new members to the church role since he became interim pastor in May 2019. “Daddy could sit in a boardroom with trustees at meetings but yet he could minister with an oil field worker in Louisiana,” Robertson’s son, Trey, told the Baptist Message. “He could fit in with any crowd and loved all of them. “He would share Jesus with people he met, not only knew the Bible but lived out the words inside that great book,” continued Trey Robertson, a member of First Baptist Church in West Monroe. “He was the finest man I ever knew and was the best pastor I have sat under. He wanted to see people’s lives changed and make an eternal difference for the Lord.” CALLED TO SERVE A native of Oak … [Read more...]

By My Sherie Johnson, WildcatsMedia PINEVILLE (Wildcats Media) – Franklin Avenue Baptist Church Pastor Fred Luter reminded students during Louisiana College's Feb. 20 chapel service about the importance of having a genuine relationship with God and to live a life that aligns with the Bible. "Few pastors could speak more clearly about a genuine relationship with God and a life that honors him than Dr. Luter," said Louisiana College President Rick Brewer. "From his upbringing in inner city New Orleans, to faithfully surviving Hurricane Katrina, and to relocating his church for more effect ministry, Pastor Fred provides a sterling example of one whose life aligns with God and the Bible. His is the kind of life that speaks volumes to our students." "I love speaking to students, because I was once a student. When I was in college, I gave my life to Jesus Christ," said Luter. "So, it was a special time for me because I saw the difference that it made in my life." Elected in 2012 as the first black president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Luter referenced 1 Corinthians 10:13, explaining he's convinced that if you're truly saved you can live a victorious life. He is amazed so many people believe the devil's untruths when … [Read more...]

By Message Staff GRAMERCY, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist church planter Checkerz Williams was arrested Feb. 12 on charges of firing a weapon the previous day at a vehicle in St. James Parish in what has been termed in some media reports as a “road rage” incident. Williams is pastor of Renew Church in Baton Rouge. Mentor and long-time adviser Dennis Watson, pastor of Celebration Church in Metairie, expressed shock to the Baptist Message about the alleged incident and offered that he knows Williams to be a man of integrity and that he is waiting to learn all the details that might explain the disconnect between Williams’ character and the nature of the arrest. Williams served as a campus pastor at Celebration Church’s LaPlace location from June 2011 to July 2017, before leaving to start Renew. “I'm in daily contact with Pastor Checkerz,” Watson said. “I'm saddened that all of the publicity thus far from the secular press and the Christian press has been completely one-sided. While Pastor Checkerz has been instructed by his legal counsel not to release his side of the story at this time, it's my understanding that there is a completely different perspective of what happened. We are praying that when all the details come … [Read more...]

By LC News PINEVILLE, La. - Louisiana College’s annual “Christ, Church, and Culture” (C3) Series features ethicist Dr. Craig V. Mitchell. He is a Senior Fellow for the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, a board member for the Institute of Religion and Democracy, and is president of the Ethics and Political Economy Center. Having authored four books, Mitchell speaks and writes on issues involving Christian ethics and public policy. Mitchell will address from a biblical perspective this topic: “What’s the Real Issue with Social Justice?” “We are privileged and honored to have Dr. Mitchell on our campus to speak about a significant issue at the forefront of our culture today,” said Louisiana College President Rick Brewer. “He comes to us well-qualified with his background as an author, speaker, and professor at Criswell College and Southwestern Seminary. He served all Southern Baptists on the Religious Liberty Commission from 2005-2014. We welcome him with the expectancy that Dr. Mitchell will speak soundly about an issue that Christians need to know.” Louisiana College’s C3 event convenes on March 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Weatherby Fine Arts building/Presser Hall. There is no charge for attendance and the … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA (LBM) -- Bill Robertson, a well-known and respected figure among Louisiana Baptists, passed away suddenly Monday, February 24. No cause of death was given but Robertson, 67, had been battling a cold and congestion. “It is shocking news,” Louisiana Baptists Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “In the short time (June to November) we worked together, I thought we had a great start. He proved to be very capable of leading the pastoral leadership team. John Hebert, Louisiana Baptists team leader for missions and ministry, was also shocked to hear the news of Robertson’s sudden passing. “Bill (Robertson) had a major impact on the leaders and pastors throughout the convention. He was active in the convention even before becoming a member of the leadership team.” As a pastor, Robertson, a graduate of Louisiana College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, was honored as Louisiana Baptist Convention preacher of the year in 1997 and 2007. He was serving as pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Winnsboro when he was elected as president of Louisiana Baptists in 2005 and played a major role in helping Louisiana Baptists recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina and Rita. He served as LBC … [Read more...]

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 Caleb (wife Jenni) Robison has been called to be the Minister of Music/Children of Gloster Baptist Church, Gloster from Operation Ministry Associate at Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport. Jeff Roberts is new pastor Sharon Baptist Church, Dubach. Melanie Lawler is the new Director of Children’s Ministries at First Baptist Church, Slidell. Adam Watson is the new worship pastor at First Baptist Church, Covington. Michael (wife Beth) Gill is the new pastor of discipleship & administration at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Albany. Bryan (wife Allie) Ulmer is the new student minister at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, West Monroe. HOMECOMING Fair Park Baptist Church, West Monroe: 71st Anniversary, March 1. Pastor: Waymond Warren. Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Eunice: 150th Anniversary … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer TIOGA, La. (LBM) – Veteran author Curt Iles, who has penned 13 books, has begun writing his latest chapter in his book of life as principal of Alpine Christian School. Iles, a Louisiana College graduate who started Jan. 7 at the school operated by Alpine First Baptist Church, hopes his new role will allow him to lock arms with faculty and Pastor John Willie as they shape the next generation of Christian leaders. The school, which boasts an enrollment of 100 students, pre-k through 8th grade, offers general education classes, but also Bible lessons combined with Gospel presentations and dedicated prayer times. “We are preparing kids for life after they leave here,” Iles told the Baptist Message. “Our faculty is training them not just to learn important academic skills but also to grow spiritually, socially and mentally. Everything we do starts with the Gospel and we hope by the time they leave here our students will have the rock solid Christian foundation needed to make a difference in today’s culture.” Iles, who spent 14 years as an educator at East Beauregard High School in DeRidder, another 14 years as director of Dry Creek Baptist Camp in Dry Creek and three years as a … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – James Doughty challenged students attending the recent Collegiate Evangelism Conference to become fully devoted followers of God. “If you want to thrive in your faith, you must be devoted to the Word,” said Doughty, pastor of First Baptist Church in Monroe. HEAR GOD Doughty’s message was part of a two-day conference that included seminars designed to equip students with sharing their faith, worship by the Jason Lovins Band and a late-night time of fellowship. Held Feb. 14-15 at Louisiana College in Pineville, the conference drew students from 15 BCMs. His message and the focus of the various breakout seminars were centered on the theme, “Thrive.” Citing 2 Timothy 3:14-4:4, Doughty told the students the Bible is God’s Word, reveals the Gospel truths, enables them to become more spiritually mature and keeps them from following false teaching. And to truly thrive, he said, they must desire, read and apply God’s Word. “If we want to see people changed by the Gospel, we must be people that preach the whole counsel of Scripture,” he said. Mark Robinson, Louisiana Baptist state BCM director, said he was pleased with the student response to the … [Read more...]