By New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary office of communications NEW ORLEANS, La. (NOBTS) – Fourteen graduates with Louisiana ties received degrees during New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College virtual commencement services May 15 and 16. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary conferred 110 masters degrees and 23 doctoral degrees including 6 Ph.Ds., one D.M.A., 13 D.Min., and three D.Ed.Min. Thirty-six M.Div. degrees were presented to graduates. Leavell College conferred 31 bachelor of arts in Christian Ministry degrees, one bachelor of arts in Biblical studies and six associate of arts in Christian Ministry degrees. Leavell College graduates: Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry James Ellison, Pineville Nathan Michel, Kenner Joshua Noojin, New Orleans Kelxy Rowell, New Orleans New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary graduates: Master of Arts in Discipleship Anna Hockman, New Orleans Kelsey Houser, Lake Charles Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry Jonathon Murphy, Alexandria Kenneth Rowe, Taylor Master of Arts in Christian Education Heather W. Johnson, New Orleans Master of Arts in Missiology Erika Spengler, Norco Master of Divinity, specialization Expository Preaching Justin … [Read more...]
Louisiana College to reopen in August with safety precautions in place
By Elizabeth Christian, LCNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) - Louisiana College President Rick Brewer has announced fall semester plans, outlining the overarching measures the school is undertaking to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. “LC will begin welcoming our incoming freshmen Aug. 12, and other students will return the rest of the week,” Brewer said. Classes will begin Aug. 17. “We will be following a modified academic calendar to allow for completion of all classes and final exams by Nov. 23,” he said. “This includes eliminating the traditional Labor Day holiday and fall break, but it greatly reduces the risk of exposure to students who travel during those times.” Since the spring, Louisiana College has had a COVID-response Task Force, chaired by Mark Shoemaker, vice president for IT and Facilities/CIO. “We have been constantly gathering and reviewing the latest information from state and national governmental and medical organizations, specifically related to ensuring the college is proactive in preparing for the fall semester,” Shoemaker said. “Each division and each building will have extensive procedures for ensuring safety and sanitation.” Brewer said work has been done in earnest since March to prepare and train … [Read more...]
Dry Prong is spiritually abundant
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer DRY PRONG, La. (LBM) - Chris Smeltzer assumed he was a follower of Jesus because of the many years he attended worship services with his family. But, recently, Smeltzer realized growing up in a Christ-centered home would not get him into Heaven. He not only accepted the Lord after a conversation with Pastor Trey Lewis, but chose to celebrate his freedom in Jesus through baptism Independence Day weekend. “I truly believe that it is God and his Son Jesus Christ who have given me the strength and will to be a better version of myself,” Smeltzer told the Baptist Message. “He gave me courage to talk with Pastor Trey about becoming a member Prospect Baptist church and to stand up for everyone to see how Jesus has filled my heart. “I look back now and realize something had been missing in my life, like a void of sorts that has now been filled,” he continued. “I’m proud to be a part of a new family at Prospect Baptist Church and I’m so glad that I asked Jesus to come into my heart and life. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.” Smeltzer’s baptism, July 5, was the first for New Prospect Baptist, which averages 90 in worship, since they resumed services June 7 after state COVID-19 … [Read more...]
During June COVID spiked among young people, 78 percent of deaths took place in nursing homes
By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – June COVID data shows that deaths of Louisianans from this disease were concentrated among nursing home residents and not among the tens of thousands of young people who were being counted as part of a surge in infections. End of month information provided on the Louisiana Department of Health website indicates 78 percent of the deaths across the state took place in these group facilities, even though these elderly residents compose less than one percent of the total state population. There have been 3,113 total deaths among Louisianans since the first COVID-19 data was collected in March. But 348 of these deaths happened in June during the surge of cases among young people in the state. Of these deaths last month, 272 occurred in nursing homes. At the end of June there were 23,058 nursing home residents among a state population of 4,645,180 men, women, boys and girls, combined. … [Read more...]
MIKE STONE Part 2: My final word on being chairman of the SBC Executive Committee
By Mike Stone NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Last week, I issued a press release concerning matters related to the SBCEC. I indicated there would be a short series of similar releases addressing several items. This, however, will be my final press release on my chairmanship as far as I intend. That will make this statement a bit longer than I would prefer but I think this is a better approach. I recognize that for some, no amount of information will ever be sufficient. More information will keep things agitated. Therefore, others will be free to have the last word, even if it is predictably an unfair, untrue, or unfavorable word. Here are some final facts about the more controversial issues of the last few months. The Election of Officers The June 16 election of officers occurred within both the spirit and the letter of our bylaws. The last-minute attempted bylaw change was a really bad idea presented in a really poor way. Its rejection required only common sense, not a conspiracy or manipulation of parliamentary procedure. Our new chairman, Mr. Slade, has acknowledged publicly that the confusion was on his part. That’s the bottom line. Regarding the accusations of impropriety, everyone has a right to his own perspective. Nobody has a … [Read more...]
MIKE STONE Part 1: Outgoing SBC Executive Committee chairman addresses concerns
By Mike Stone NASHVILLE, Tenn. - An old adage advises, “Don’t defend yourself. Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it.” That is generally excellent counsel but it fails to envision a majority of people who comprise a third category. Namely, those who are neither friend nor enemy but who are merely uninformed. Such is the case with the recent accusations made regarding my final meeting as chairman of the SBC Executive Committee (SBCEC). These are serious matters and I believe they warrant a detailed response. I plan to speak further to these items in the immediate days ahead but there are three central items I wish to address briefly today. The process of the election of SBCEC officers on June 16th The election of officers affiliated with the Conservative Baptist Network The reasons for my belief that the Conservative Baptist Network is needed within the life of the Southern Baptist Convention First, the outgoing chairman of the SBCEC has the duty to nominate the chairpersons of what are essentially subcommittees. These various chairpersons become officers of the board, if elected following nominations from the floor. This is not some parting “power grab” by the outgoing chairman. It is … [Read more...]
Which seminary? The first spiritual milestone in our marriage
By Chuck Kelley Rhonda and I met on our first Sunday at Baylor University. We began dating during that freshman year, became an exclusive couple our sophomore year, publicly committed to a serious relationship in our junior year, became engaged in our senior year, and were married in June after graduation. We stayed in college one more year for Rhonda to earn a Master’s degree to qualify for the work she expected to do, while I continued studying philosophy and working in collegiate ministry on our campus. It was in the middle of the summer, forty-five years ago this week, when we faced our first spiritual milestone as husband and wife. The issue was where to go to seminary, our first major life decision we had to make as husband and wife. Rhonda and I began the process in the ordinary way. We prayed about it regularly. We explored the options and talked through them. Fortunately, we both agreed on what appeared to be God’s clear, obvious choice. We would go to Fort Worth, TX to attend Southwestern Seminary. My calling was evangelism, and Southwestern had the most famous evangelism professor in SBC history and a great academic program in evangelism. I was already preaching all over Texas in revivals, conferences, and youth … [Read more...]
What do we do when we need a win?
By Steve Horn ALEXANDRIA, La. - At the risk of sounding like the cartoon character, The Born Loser, I confess to you that I’ve had my share of losing. In four seasons as a high school football player for example, we won 6 of 40 games and 2 of those 6 were taken away for using an ineligible player. I’m not sure how you’re feeling, but as we reach the midpoint of 2020, it sure seems like we could use a win right now. Recent statistical research among Southern Baptists and Louisiana Baptists reminds us we are losing ground on almost every number we count. The recent Supreme Court decisions regarding the redefinition of “sex” and the striking down of a Louisiana law mandating abortion providers have hospital admitting privileges feel like big losses. The escalation of racial tensions driven by injustices cause us to wonder if we have lost ground as it relates to race relations in America. And, if you believe many of the news reports, we seem to be falling behind in the fight against COVID-19. I don’t know about you, but I sure could use a “win.” So, this begs the question, what do we do when we need a win? I want to encourage us today to do at least three things. Watch your words. Blaming somebody else is not going … [Read more...]
Technological innovations position Louisiana College for future success
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message, staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) –Louisiana College President Rick Brewer is upbeat about the technological innovations put in place by his faculty and staff since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, saying the school is well positioned for the future because of their hard work. Last year, LC was awarded a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, and that has helped students finish the semester through remote learning, he said. The move saved the college more than $100,000 in costs to launch Internet classes that are part of the school’s Center for Online Innovation and Development. Faculty are able to learn, train and record lectures from inside the newly renovated Faculty Development Center located in the Norton Library. “We face the most challenging period ever in the history of Louisiana College,” Brewer told the Baptist Message. “We can get there. It’s going to take the Lord’s help. It’s going to Louisiana Baptists’ help. “We are the only college supported by Louisiana Baptists, through the Cooperative Program, and we are pleased to serve,” he added. “We are a place that’s preparing graduates, transforming lives, and we hope Louisiana Baptists will … [Read more...]
Southern Baptist senator urges end of Columbus Day
By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor WASHINGTON (LBM) – U.S. Senator James Lankford, a Southern Baptist who previously worked as director of the Falls Creek Youth Camp for Oklahoma Baptists before being elected to Congress, has proposed legislation that would eliminate Columbus Day and replace it with Juneteenth, in recognition of the end of slavery in this country. Juneteenth dates back to June 19, 1865, when Texas recognized the Emancipation Proclamation issued by the United States in 1862, and that date was celebrated as “Emancipation Day.” Since then Juneteenth has been recognized by a growing number of states as a holiday. Lankford submitted an amendment, along with Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., to legislation being offered by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Cornyn’s legislation simply would add Juneteenth as a national holiday. Lankford, on the other hand, wants to end Columbus Day and replace it with Juneteenth, calling it “a second Independence Day,” referring to July 4. He said making the swap instead of just adding another federal holiday would save businesses lost revenue and the federal government added costs of about $600 million in paid time off for federal employees. Lankford did not address the impact on … [Read more...]
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