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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

NOBTS, LC sign articulation agreement

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS director of communications NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) and Louisiana College (LC) recently signed an articulation agreement designed to help God-called men and women save time and money as they prepare for ministry. The agreement, signed by NOBTS president Jamie Dew and LC president Rick Brewer, paves the way for Christian studies majors from LC to apply a portion of their undergraduate coursework to the Accelerated Master of Divinity program at NOBTS (Accelerated M.Div.). The program reduces educational redundancy and the time it takes to complete the M.Div. by leveraging the quality biblical studies and ministry instruction students receive at LC. Students who are approved for this advanced standing can complete the M.Div. degree at NOBTS faster than students who are not eligible for the program. According to Dew, the main goal of the agreement is to advance the gospel by helping God-called men and women complete their ministry preparation in a timely manner. “With an eye towards advancing Christ’s Kingdom, it is absolutely vital that we provide efficient avenues for our students to receive theological preparation,” Dew said. “As such, we are excited about … [Read more...]

Wilton: Challenges students at LC revival to determine ‘who they are’ in Christ

By Message Staff PINEVILLE – A movement by the Holy Spirit prompted 50 Louisiana College students to come to the altar and make life-changing decisions for Jesus during the opening day of the fall campus revival Tuesday, Sept. 17. In his message based on 1 Peter 1, Don Wilton, revival evangelist and pastor of the First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, told the students to obey God’s call on their lives. “Today I invite you to just settle the ‘who are you’ part of your life,” Wilton said. “Just nail down that today. “You want to know what to do?” he continued. “All I can tell you is what Jesus tells us to do. Just lay it down, settle who you are before Him. If you don’t know Jesus Christ, come today. Give your life to Christ.” Wilton told the students God values all of them, and encouraged them to keep him first during their life as a college student and afterwards. “I want to thank God because He’s given you, through the new birth, a living hope,” he said. “You are not hopeless. You have a reason to live. You’ve got a purpose. You’re not a nobody. You’re somebody in and through the Lord Jesus.” He reminded those who have placed their faith in Christ that they are not residents of earth, but … [Read more...]

Louisiana College institutes ‘Clear Bag Policy’ for all on-campus events

PINEVILLE (LCNews) -- In the interest of public safety, Louisiana College has implemented a clear bag policy that limits the size and types of bags that may be carried by attendees into ticketed activities. The implementation of this measure is intended to enhance public safety while minimizing time spent searching bags at entrance security checkpoints and easing access into the facility. Louisiana College strongly encourages all attendees not to bring unauthorized types of bags to H.O. West Fieldhouse, the LC Football Stadium, Guinn Auditorium, the LC Softball Complex, the Billy Allgood Baseball Complex or the Martin Performing Arts Center. The only permissible bags or containers must meet the following parameters: Bags that are clear plastic or vinyl and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" All clear bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" are permissible (backpacks, drawstring bags, fanny packs, etc.) One-gallon, clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bags or similar) Small "clutch" purses, no larger than 4 1/2" x 6 1/2", with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the stadium in addition to the approved clear plastic bags. Attendees also will be able to carry other items allowed in such as binoculars and … [Read more...]

Brewer challenges LC family to be ‘and then some’ people

By Norm Miller, LC News PINEVILLE (LCNews) -- Louisiana College’s Guinn Auditorium resounded with applause and cheers as Rick Brewer, president, welcomed the incoming freshman class of 2023 during LC’s inaugural chapel service for the Fall 2019 semester. After acknowledging other classes, Brewer encouraged students, staff, and faculty “not to be people who settle for just average.” Drawing from Ephesians 3:20-21, President Brewer noted that God is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. That’s somewhere out in the stratosphere and I can’t get my mind around it.” But this is what God wants for all his children. Citing the success of Chick-fil-A (CFA), Brewer said the company that was founded in 1946 faced its worst fiscal year in 1982. CFA leaders addressed the problem with one question: “‘Why are we here?’ In response to that question, the leadership prayed.” Then they developed this mission statement: “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.” The point is that CFA chose not to settle for average but was blessed by God for a commitment to glorify him. That blessing is reflected, in … [Read more...]

What God wants in our worship

By Waylon Bailey All of us want certain things when we go to the place of worship. For example, we expect to hear a well-prepared message based on the Word of God. We want everything done “decently and in order.” We want to be challenged about our ministry, conduct, and service. All of these are good things. God also wants something when we gather in His name to worship. What are those things? Based on Jeremiah’s Temple Sermon recorded in Jeremiah 7, these are the things God wants. First, God wants devotion. He expects we will worship Him only. He also expects we will worship completely. The people of Jeremiah’s day dabbled in the abominable worship of the Baal gods. They gave devotion to God but they did not worship Him exclusively. God demands our wholehearted devotion. Second, God wants obedience. The people in Jerusalem and Judah wanted the benefits of worshiping God but not the expectations of obedience toward God. Jeremiah cataloged their sins. The list was long and filled with rebellion. God asked incredulously if they would “steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and offer sacrifices to Baal, and walk after other gods” and then come brashly and boldly in God’s House and declare, “We … [Read more...]

Louisiana College welcomes seven faculty members

By Norm Miller, LC News PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) — Louisiana College adds seven faculty members from across the United States and around the globe. “These gifted academes are world-class,” said Dr. Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana College. “They have excelled in their education. They have written books and journal articles and led conferences. My interviews with each one gives me confidence that these stellar educators will significantly enhance the rich and commendable academic heritage of Louisiana College.” With global experience in conducting, teaching, and performing, Dr. Joshua Davis comes from the University of Florida with a PhD in Music Education and will serve as Director of Bands. He earned a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in music, as well as a Bachelor of Music Education from Tennessee Technological University. Dr. David Hill comes from Pensacola Christian College to serve as Assistant Professor of Theory and Piano.  He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts, Piano Performance, Pedagogy, and Literature, from James Madison University. He earned his MA and BA in Piano Performance from Pensacola Christian College. Hill has international recital experience and has won a Top Teacher Award … [Read more...]

9-11 responder recounts salvation decisions

ADDIS, La. (LBM)--On Sept. 11, 2001, then Lt. Jerry Sillcocks, a member of the New York City Fire Department, lost a number of friends who died in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. But his grief is soothed in part from knowing he will one day see several co-workers who professed Christ as Lord after he shared the Gospel with them only months earlier. Sillcocks, who now is a captain with the fire department, shared his testimony during two worship services at the Church at Addis in the Baton Rouge area Sept. 9. He said life can end unexpectedly just like it did for his fellow firefighters who perished in just a few seconds that day 18 years ago. “The Bible says if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you will be saved,” he said. “That’s how easy it is. God made it easy for people like me and God changed my heart because I needed it. It’s that easy. Who’s Jesus to you?” Watch a video of Sillcocks' testimony by clicking below: https://youtu.be/NnYiSmgvTTg … [Read more...]

Vote TODAY!

By Staff Vote TODAY, Saturday, Oct. 12 for the election of the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, insurance commissioner, commissioner of agriculture and forestry, supreme court justice, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, sheriff and all state legislative seats. There are local races as well. Visit VOTER'S GUIDE to learn about the candidates and the issues. Additional information about the election process and voting places can be found by clicking HERE.   … [Read more...]

A 9/11 remembrance

By Steve Horn Near the end of the Old Testament, we read the prophecies of Amos, Obadiah, and Jonah. Read together, these three Old Testament Prophets challenge us to think about our national enemies as we once again commemorate the tragedy of 2001 that will forever be called “9-11.” Amos, like all other prophets, prophesied of the coming judgment against Israel and Judah.  Amos’ message of judgment starts against the enemies of Israel and gets increasingly tighter until the message “zeroes” in on Israel. The significance of this progression is that judgment is certain. The opportunity for repentance has passed.  However, there is the hint that Israel could have avoided judgment if they would have heeded God’s seriousness toward sin. Likewise, the message for America today is “We must learn from the mistakes of our enemies.” Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. We know very little about Obadiah or the exact perspective from which he wrote. We do understand that his prophecy targeted Edom—an enemy of Israel. Obadiah’s preaching was likely a message to encourage Israel during the days of exile or immediately following exile. His preaching would have pointed to God’s judgment against Israel’s enemies. As we … [Read more...]

The courage to stand

By Kelvin J. Cochran ATLANTA (BP) - Many Christian Americans in today's culture are faced with a choice whether to live out their faith or keep their jobs. We are living in a season where one week we are receiving accolades for what God is doing through us in our careers, and the next week we are facing termination for expressing what we believe about the Bible. This same bipolar culture existed when Paul and Barnabas were preaching in Lystra (Acts 14:8-20). As a man who had been lame from birth was listening to the Gospel message, Paul perceived that he had faith to be healed. So he called out to the man and said, "Stand up!" The man leaped to his feet and started walking. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they concluded that he and Barnabas were gods and wanted to worship them. Paul and Barnabas were vehemently agitated, telling the crowd, "We are human beings just like yourselves." Shortly thereafter, some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and turned the exact same crowds into a murderous mob. They stoned Paul, dragged him out of the city and left him for dead. Here's the disturbing part. Verse 20 says believers were in the crowd. They were apparently afraid to speak out on Paul's behalf for fear that … [Read more...]