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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

​NOBTS, Leavell College confer degrees in virtual ceremonies

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...]

Masks mandatory, Phase 2 restrictions remain in force for churches

By Message Staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) - Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a statewide mask mandate during a Saturday afternoon news conference. Citing a record high number of novel coronavirus related cases Friday and an increase in hospitalizations statewide, Edwards said the decision was necessary so Louisiana does not have to revert back to Phase One or Phase Zero of reopening the state’s economy. Anyone eight years or older must wear a mask when the mandate goes into effect 12:01 a.m. Monday, unless individuals have a major health condition. Face coverings should be worn in outdoor settings when social distancing is not possible, Edwards said. The new mandate also limits bars to curbside food service only and reduces indoor social gatherings to 50 people. Edwards said bars especially have posed a higher public health risk than other types of restaurants because customers are socializing and do not wear masks while consuming alcohol. Under the order, the state will remain in Phase Two until at least July 24. Businesses and churches will continue to be restricted to 50 percent capacity. While the mask mandate applies to all 64 parishes, those with a COVID-19 incidence of less than 100 cases per 100,000 people for the last … [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...]

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...]