By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees elected a collegiate ministry professor and approved a new graduate certificate in counseling ministry during their spring meeting April 13. The board also approved a $24.3 million budget, elected two faculty members to serve in Leavell College (the seminary's undergraduate program), and approved minor curriculum revisions designed to streamline and update graduate degree and certificate programs. Collegiate ministry Beth Masters, former Baptist campus minister and director of Christian Life and Ministries at Mississippi College, was elected to serve in the seminary's growing collegiate ministry program. She earned the master of divinity degree with a specialization in collegiate ministry, master of theology and doctor of philosophy at NOBTS. During Masters' time in New Orleans, she served as associate metro director of Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) in New Orleans and directed BCM programs at the University of New Orleans and Leavell College. Masters currently serves as a leader in the college ministry program at her church, First Baptist Church in Jackson, Miss. Her wide collegiate ministry experience earned Masters a … [Read more...]

By Message Staff BATON ROUGE – Istrouma Baptist Church has released details for a memorial service honoring long-time Baptist Message freelance writer Mark Hunter, who died on April 24. The church will host the service at 11 a.m. on May 5 with visitation scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. The church’s Facebook page reported Hunter, who has written for the Baptist Message since January 2011, suffered a cardiopulmonary event while worshipping at Istrouma, where he is a member, Sunday morning. Medical personnel in the worship service came to the aid of Hunter and emergency personnel were immediately called to the church. Jeff Ginn, pastor of Istrouma Baptist Church, said in an email Hunter lived a life that honored Christ. Ginn said in addition to his love for serving Christ through writing faith-based articles appearing in the Baptist Message and Baton Rouge Advocate, Hunter was passionate about men’s ministry at Istrouma and throughout Baton Rouge. “Mark died as he lived,” Ginn said. “One moment he was singing a song of praise by faith in our Sunday worship service, the next moment he worshipped by sight in heaven. I remember the last words he shared with me. The day before he died he had written an article about a mission effort … [Read more...]

By Gary Meyers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- At first, it seemed like any other chapel for Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, but he was in for a surprise. Members of the faculty and staff planned a special recognition of Kelley's 20th anniversary as NOBTS president. Kelley was clearly surprised and moved by the acknowledgement. Chapel at NOBTS usually includes a brief encouraging word from Kelley between two times of musical worship, when he greets those in attendance, introduces the speaker and offers a prayer of consecration for the service. But on March 1, when Kelley expected the music and singing to resume, it did not. Instead, Jonathan Key, faculty member and assistant to the president, stepped in to announce the anniversary. The announcement stirred a standing ovation from the chapel audience. Kelley began serving as NOBTS president on March 1, 1996. From 1983 until 1996 he served as an evangelism professor and director of seminary's Leavell Center for Evangelism and Church Health. During Kelley's tenure as president, the seminary has experienced significant student enrollment and endowment growth. During the celebration, John Foster, NOBTS trustee and member of Franklin … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message BATON ROUGE -- The Baptist Message has lost one of its long-time freelance writers. Mark Hunter, who has written for the Baptist Message since January 2011, died earlier today while worshipping at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, where he was a member. The church's Facebook page reported that Hunter suffered a cardiopulmonary event. Medical personnel in the worship service came to the aid of Hunter and emergency personnel were immediately called to the church. Jeff Ginn, pastor of Istrouma Baptist Church, said an email that Hunter lived a life that honored Christ. Ginn said in addition to his love for serving Christ through writing faith-based articles appearing in the Baptist Message and Baton Rouge Advocate, Hunter was passionate about men's ministry at Istrouma and throughout Baton Rouge. "Mark died as he lived," Ginn said. "One moment he was singing a song of praise by faith in our Sunday worship service, the next moment he worshipped by sight in heaven. I remember the last words he shared with me. The day before he died he had written an article about a mission effort of our church. I shot him a "thank you" email for the compelling job he did in penning that story. His reply?  "To God be … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Don Hill came to Louisiana College with a $100 scholarship. He left in 1964 with a college education that would pave a path to financial success. Though he left for graduate school at Florida State and other endeavors across the U.S., Hill said he never lost touch with the school. When Hill heard of the opportunity last year to become a member of a newly-formed body that would provide scholarships to students of his alma mater, he enthusiastically agreed. Hill was among the 80 members who attended the Board of Visitors first meeting Friday afternoon. “Because of the contribution Louisiana College made to me, I am able to be fairly successful financially and want to contribute back to the school,” said Hill, president of DMH & Associates in Dallas, Texas. “The Board of Visitors allows me to do that and I’m looking forward to meeting some of the students who will benefit from that.” Formed in September, the Board of Visitors is comprised of alumni, business owners and other professionals and friends of LC who are giving between $1,000 and $10,000 annually for four years. During their four-year commitment, the members help the students find internships, network for the … [Read more...]

By Bradley Welborn PINEVILLE – Concentration and an intense focus are the reason Louisiana College’s softball team leads in multiple defensive categories this season. To maintain that edge, it is not uncommon to see some Lady Wildcats with colorful bows in their hair, headbands, sunglasses or eye black which helps to reduce the glare and enables them to see the ball better. Some even apply a little ‘face paint.’ Perhaps no ‘face paint’ is more noticeable than that of Wildcat second baseman Jessica Johnson, who for the past year has drawn a cross on each of her cheeks before every game. “I started doing it last year, and I just put it on my face because crosses are a good reminder for me,” said Johnson. “Before I go up to bat, I draw a cross on the ground because it reminds me no matter what the outcome is, whether I strike out or get a hit, that doesn't determine my identity in Christ. “And when I’m on defense, after every play or maybe even after every pitch, I draw a cross in the dirt,” Johnson continued. “I do it to help me calm down, relax and get rid of any fears or anxieties I might be feeling. I draw a cross to assure me there’s no fear in God and we’re playing for His Kingdom.” Whether by happenstance or not, she … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Even before she graduates, Louisiana College student Rachel Britt knows her calling in life – to one day open a safe house for human trafficking survivors. This summer, Britt will have the opportunity to put her dream into practice when she serves as an intern at the Hope House in Baton Rouge. While there, she will work with survivors of human trafficking through a variety of programs intended to give them hope found in Christ. “I actually want to open a safe house for minors who have survived human trafficking,” said Britt, a member of First Baptist Church in Zachary. “I’m really excited to have this opportunity.” Britt is among 12 LC students who will serve as summer missionaries in several locations such as Baton Rouge, North Carolina, New Mexico, Kentucky, Tennessee, Africa and South America. They were recognized during a special commissioning service at LC earlier today. The service included music, a commissioning charge, medallion presentations to the student missionaries and a message by Eric Hankins, pastor of First Baptist Church in Oxford, Miss., and son of Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director David Hankins. Citing Luke 10:1-16, Hankins challenged the … [Read more...]