By staff, Wildcat Media PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) - Louisiana College will host two events to celebrate Black History Month in February. The school will host a symposium Feb. 2 and a Gospel concert Feb. 16. Both events will take place at 6 p.m. inside Guinn Auditorium. “Recently, Niche.com recognized Louisiana College as the second most diverse college or university in Louisiana,” said Louisiana College President Rick Brewer. “The beauty of that fact is that this has happened not by a specific strategy but by people of all ethnicities desiring the Christ-centered educational experience we offer. At Louisiana College we celebrate our diversity by daily living out our Mission and Vision.” “We really have something precious here at LC,” said Joshua Joy Dara, associate vice president for engagement and enrichment. Just look at the facts, our student body is diverse, our faculty is diverse, our staff is diverse, our coaches are diverse, our leadership is diverse and even our SGA is diverse.” Panelists for the symposium will include: -- Juan Castro, professor of finance and economics, from Honduras -- Emmanuel Johnson, associate professor of social work, from India -- Neil Johnson, associate professor of English, from … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- Despite COVID-19 restrictions, pro-life supporters still found a way to band together at 32 locations statewide Jan. 23 to declare their love for life. Originally, the annual life marches were scheduled to take place around the state over a three-week period in January and February, but novel coronavirus pandemic concerns caused organizers to alter the format to a one-day, social-distanced life chain event for “Stand for Life, Louisiana.” Only the Baton Rouge event included a program that featured messages, music and prayer. Ben Clapper, executive director for Louisiana Right to Life, told the Baptist Message that while they did not have an official attendance count, he estimated more than 1,000 people turned out for the life chains. "Even in the face of the Covid pandemic, pro-lifers in Louisiana cannot sit idly by why abortion continues to take the lives of Louisiana babies,” Clapper said. “It is inspiring that more than 31 groups gathered to stand for life in their communities.  While we couldn't march this year as we normally do, we know that our march continues daily to save every baby and help every mother." Brian Gunter, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pollock who … [Read more...]

By Staff, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, LA (LBM) -- An act of generosity that began with a $100 scholarship for one Baton Rouge teenager has multiplied many times over during the last 60 years to affect countless young people at Louisiana College. Don Hill, president of DMH & Associates, a company that provides consulting and marketing services to clients in the financial services industry, said that $100 was enough back in 1960 to tilt the scales for him, and he enrolled in Louisiana College to study math and business. As a high school senior, Hill was given a $100 scholarship to attend Louisiana College, and that settled his college decision. “My whole life has been God leading me,” he said. “Louisiana College was the right spot for me.” Since then, Hill, a 1964 summa cum laude LC graduate, with his wife Terry, have spent their lives giving back. The Hills have been providing scholarships for five LC students each year for several years now through the Board of Visitors Scholarship Fund started by the school’s president, Rick Brewer, in 2015. The Hills were founding members. They also have used various ways to give back to LC from cash donations--from donating appreciated stocks to making Qualified … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer JOYCE, La. (LBM) – Hurricane Laura damaged the fellowship hall of Union Baptist Church in Joyce, Aug. 27, leaving the congregation of 30 active members to seek God’s help in rebuilding the facility. Five weeks after the storm blew a tree on top of the facility, their prayers were answered. Throughout November, as the result of organizing efforts by leaders of the North Central Baptist Association, the congregations of First Baptist Church in Calvin, First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Winnfield and Sweetwater Baptist Church in Quitman sent volunteers to remodel the kitchen and replace the roof. Members of Atlanta Baptist Church, Bethlehem Baptist Church in Winnfield, Quitman Baptist Church, South Winnfield Baptist Church and Welcome Home Baptist Church in Dodson also provided meals each day for the volunteers. Pastor Mike Green told the Baptist Message he was encouraged that so many churches stepped up and modeled the body of Christ in action for those in need. “My hat goes off to everyone who gave up their time and resources to come out and help us out,” Green said. “They were a great Godsend when we needed a helping hand.” Craig James, … [Read more...]