By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana State University Baptist Collegiate Ministry has implemented a “Meals to Go” program that provides international students with rice, noodles, cans of vegetables, cans of canned meat, peanut butter, jelly and snacks, to help them during the COVID-19 ordeal. “There are over a million international students attending colleges and universities in the US, including 1,500 at LSU, and many were unable to go home, are stuck in their apartments and are facing financial hardships,” BCM Director Steve Masters told the Baptist Message. “We feel like we should try to help them and are asking other people to join us. We are providing them with food.” The effort began when an international student texted Masters with a plea for help. While the BCM did not have funding to assist individual students, Masters found money to place in an envelope that was picked up eight minutes later outside the BCM building. Masters, his wife, Pam, Associate Director Haley Spell and Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge Director of Missions Tommy Middleton then came up with a plan. Since the effort began on April 7, the feedback has been overwhelmingly … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews)--Responding to pandemic-induced financial strains, Louisiana College will offer free tuition to eligible, incoming freshmen through its newly established Governor Jimmie Davis Scholarship. Louisiana College’s President Dr. Rick Brewer made the announcement on KALB-TV’s Good Day Cenla morning program, April 13. “We recognize the Coronavirus impact has curtailed and even stopped certain activities in our state,” Brewer said in an interview prior to the show. “But we do not intend to stop offering the quality liberal arts education that has typified the College since 1906.” Travel restrictions and social distancing advisories prompted Louisiana College to shift its curricula to online, remote learning on March 30 – a move facilitated by a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Brewer told Good Day Cenla host Mark Hamblen the pandemic accentuates the need “to make a college education accessible and affordable” for families especially in these challenging times. Named in honor of two-time governor of Louisiana, the Governor Jimmie Davis Scholarship honors “our emblematic, most famous alum,” Brewer said. Davis completed his undergraduate degree at … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message, executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—The Baptist Message has suspended print operations until the state lifts the stay-at-home order that is creating an economic strain on individuals and churches. The decision, announced by Executive Editor Will Hall, was supported by the officers of the Baptist Message trustee board. All subscriptions will be honored by extending the dates of each equal to the length of the suspension of the print edition. Online operations will continue, www.BaptistMessage.com, with updates during the day as news happens. Subscribers may contact Hall regarding any questions or to offer comments, by phone, (318) 449-4348, or by email, Will@BaptistMessage.com. … [Read more...]

By LCNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews)--These are difficult days for families, businesses, schools, and churches. And Louisiana College has adjusted to meet the challenges. “Louisiana College’s administration, faculty, staff, and students face similar situations as everyone else, and we have employed good sense while praying for God’s wisdom in navigating these waters,” said Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer. “Our people have worked tirelessly to safeguard the health and well-being of our campus family, and my hat is off to all of them,” Brewer said. “Most students have returned home, and only necessary staff remain on campus. Other staff members are teleworking.” In coping with what some are calling the new normal, Brewer summarized in a letter to Louisiana College faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders the measures enacted in response to COVID-19. “Rest assured, Louisiana College remains open. We also remain open-minded in looking for ways to enhance current efforts or add new ones,” Brewer said. Louisiana College postponed its May 9 Commencement to August 8. Other actions include: STUDENT HEALTH On March 30, LC launched Campus.Health, which offers free medical and mental telehealth visits for … [Read more...]

By Message Staff NEW IBERIA, La. (LBM) – Just days before Easter, members of Highland Baptist Church and others in New Iberia have placed wooden crosses in yards to proclaim Christ’s victory over death. Using materials from their homes, participants have constructed the crosses to display in yards and then have shared a photo on Facebook using the hashtag #projectcross. “This has grown far beyond our church family,” Pastor David Denton told the Baptist Message. “We used this to prepare for Easter week and to remain connected. Judging from the comments we have received, Project Cross has been something that everyone has really embraced leading up Thursday evening when we take the Lord’s Supper online.” The effort is one of many ways the church has continued to minister since the Coronavirus Disease 2019 forced congregations to change their methods. They have streamed services for the past four Sundays on Facebook and posted daily devotionals from staff. Additionally, members have met in small groups through Zoom and viewed an adult Sunday school lesson online. Other ministry opportunities have included outreach to families by the deacons and staff, and distribution of more than 250 breakfasts to-go to local … [Read more...]

By Message Staff HARRISONBURG, La. (LBM) – First Baptist Church in Harrisonburg has planned a three-day virtual Easter egg hunt to kick off their Easter week celebration. More than 100 families have committed to placing large wooden eggs in their front yard for motorists to take photos of and then post to the church Facebook page from Thursday, April 9, to Saturday, April 11. Church staff also will place one golden egg in an undisclosed location in Harrisonburg. Pastor Josh Adams said the first person who sends the staff a photo of the golden egg will win a prize. Adams said his congregation, which averaged nearly 200 for Sunday morning worship in early March, wanted to offer a fun way to remain connected. “We wanted to do something for the little ones that would be safe and fun for everyone,” Adams told the Baptist Message. “During these times we are having to look for ways to do ministry and outreach outside the norm. Our prayer is the community will see that we are still reaching out and are committed to Harrisonburg and the outlying area.”   … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COLUMBIA, La. (LBM) – When Union Central Elementary School notified First Baptist Church in Columbia they needed assistance distributing meals to students homebound because of school cancelation due to the coronavirus outbreak, Pastor Eric Harriman quickly assembled a group to respond. From March 17-25, multiple teams that included 10 First Baptist church members, law enforcement members, Union Central Principal Kim Adams, a FBCC member, cafeteria workers and other school personnel -- distributed nearly 1,200 meals (600 for breakfast and 600 for lunch) prepared daily by Caldwell Parish School cafeteria personnel into neighborhoods and housing projects in Columbia and other parts of the parish. Adams thanked First Columbia, the non-denominational Life Church in Columbia and the school district’s special education director, speech therapist and school psychologist for their assistance during this difficult time. “It was encouraging not only to see the churches come together but the many volunteers from the school district step up,” Adams said. “This was a truly team effort, which is what we do here in Columbia. That’s the normal for us here. We don’t think much about it, we just … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PONCHATOULA, La. (LBM) - Sadie Laird, 9, recently made a special declaration of hope Christ that was two years in the making. Since 2018, Laird’s parents, extended family and children’s leaders at First Baptist Church in Ponchatoula had poured biblical truth into the youngster and on March 8 their spiritual harvest came to fruition when she said “Yes!” to Jesus. ONWARD, DESPITE COVID-19 Importantly, Laird was anxious to move ahead in her obedience to God by being baptized. So, surrounded by a few family members and church staff, March 22, in a worship service that was only seen through the church’s Facebook page because of attendance restrictions by the state in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Laird walked down into the baptistery waters inside the First Baptist worship center that was nearly empty of members but filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. “Trusting Christ means I get to live with Jesus,” Laird told the Baptist Message. Her grandmother, Ann, added that Sadie woke up the morning of the baptism beaming with excitement. “She hadn’t quit smiling since she woke up this morning,” Ann noted the day of the baptism. Pastor David Cranford, also … [Read more...]