By Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- The worship center at Atlanta Baptist Church and the White House Lodge of Dry Creek Baptist Camp were destroyed after fires engulfed the two facilities Wednesday afternoon. The fire at Atlanta Baptist Church started around 2:20 p.m., Pastor Chad James said. Members of the Winn Parish Fire Department responded and helped contain the fire from spreading to other buildings housing Sunday school classrooms, offices, the fellowship hall and family life center/gymnasium. The church, which has insurance and averages 100 in Sunday morning worship attendance, plans to rebuild the worship center. This Sunday the congregation plans to meet for worship in the gymnasium.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Please pray specifically for guidance as we begin the process of rebuilding,” James said. “Thanks to everyone for all the support and care expressed to us. We are in good spirits, are excited about the work the Lord has in store and are determined that our mission for the cause of Christ will not be interrupted nor deterred.” Meanwhile, Dry Creek Baptist Camp Director Todd Burnaman told the Baptist Message the White House Lodge caught fire at 2:30 p.m. and was totally … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Christian, LC News PINEVILLE, LA. (LBM) -- One need only do a quick Google search to see how important completing an internship is to today’s college student. A growing number of employers seek graduates who have had a real-world experience prior to hiring them. Louisiana College has been partnering with local organizations to ensure its students are equipped for today’s modern work force. Isaiah Romero and Adam Hair, both LC business majors, did internships this fall at the Louisiana Baptist Foundation, which placed them in a host of different business and marketing settings. “LC’s Experiential Learning Initiative provides our students with additional learning opportunities beyond the classroom,” said President Rick Brewer. “The opportunity for our students to select two initiatives from four offerings—research, study abroad, internships and service Learning —reinforces the Louisiana College’s Mission and Vision while providing our students a competitive edge for the marketplace and post-graduate education.” Brewer believes so much in the value of internships that he has included it in the Vision 2025 Plan—along with research, service learning and study abroad. Students will be required to complete at … [Read more...]

By John Kyle, Louisiana Baptist communications director ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- Ray Swift accepted the invitation of Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn to become the director of pastoral leadership for Louisiana Baptists. Swift, who currently serves as the administrative pastor for the First Baptist Church in Lafayette, will assume his new role on March 1, 2021. “Ray has a broad experience in ministry including serving as a senior pastor and a bi-vocational minister,” said Horn. “I’m certain Ray will be a tremendous asset to Louisiana Baptist pastors.” Swift fills a position vacated by the retirement of the late Bill Robertson in December of 2019. During a specially called meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board Administrative Committee, Horn shared he immediately began the search for Robertson’s successor upon his retirement but when the pandemic hit, he was hesitant to proceed due to travel restrictions and potential budget implications. Horn said although he was not “pressing the gas pedal” in searching for a new director, he also had not been sitting idly by. “As the year progressed and I saw the Lord’s provision through His churches, I felt it was time to move forward in … [Read more...]

By LC News PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) - During the past four years, former LC President Joe Aguillard has filed numerous lawsuits against his former employer. On Jan. 11, the U.S. Supreme Court put a stop to his federal claims attack campaign. With its refusal to hear the case, the High Court upheld all the federal judges’ decisions in Louisiana College’s favor. Aguillard made claims of mistreatment and discrimination, including under the Civil Rights Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. None of his claims made it to trial. “These claims and suits were worthless when filed and have been shown to be nothing more than a vengeful attempt to hurt LC,” said LC counsel Steve Oxenhandler of the Gold Weems law firm. Aguillard was fired for cause on March 31, 2016, after a Faculty Committee and the College’s Executive Committee found him guilty of multiple acts of misconduct detrimental to Louisiana College, including attempting to undermine new President Rick Brewer. At that time, he was serving as President Emeritus of LC, a position he assumed in Spring 2015, after being removed as president. During his tenure, the College’s accreditation was put in jeopardy and serious financial pressures ensued from decisions and lawsuits … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) - Louisiana College has completed multiple renovations to H.O. West Fieldhouse, just a few months before the school’s sports program enters a new era. The project, which began in November and was finished in late January at a cost of more than $300,000 through private donations, included a facelift to the lobby restrooms and locker room space shared by the men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer and volleyball programs, and the addition of a digital scorer’s table. Work on the student-athlete lounge is expected to begin in March and be complete by April or May. The last time H.O. West Fieldhouse got a facelift was in 2014, when lower-level bleachers and the floor used for games were replaced. Reni Mason, athletic director and head men’s basketball coach, told the Baptist Messagehe is grateful for the support of so many who helped make the renovations possible. “Finishing this project is very important for recruits and the future of our athletic program,” Mason said. “To move to the next level, we knew we had to do something to give our facilities a facelift. This is another step in that direction.” Last summer, a new football turf field was … [Read more...]