By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE  (LBM) – After nearly 10 years of praying and planning, the Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge has opened its new Adoniram Judson, Jr. Missions and Ministries Center Annex. Pastors, seminary staff and other Louisiana Baptist leaders from around the state gathered Sept. 9 at the BAGBR office to mark the official opening of the facility that was dedicated in honor of T.W. and Iris Terral. He is a former pastor of Lanier Baptist Church in Baton Rouge and was instrumental in starting the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary extension center inside the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Tommy Middleton, director of missions for BAGBR, told the Baptist Message Terral was “due” the honor because of his contributions to Kingdom work in the state. “We stand on the shoulders of T.W. Terral,” Middleton said. “He’s been impacting the work in this area for six decades. His footprint is quite large, spiritually, and he is deserving of great honor.” The facility will house a church planting incubator -- where new church starts can use space for office and worship, a New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary extension center, a pastoral ministry training space, … [Read more...]

By IMB Staff MINDEN - William Harold Ichter, an emeritus International Mission Board missionary who shared the gospel among the American Affinity Peoples in Brazil, died August 29, 2019. He was 93. Bill was born on Dec. 11, 1925, in Nanticoke, Pa., the oldest son of Harriet Ellen and Harold Lester Ichter. In his teen years, his family moved to Louisiana, and he graduated in 1942 from Bolton High School in Alexandria. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army. Right before boot camp, he attended a campus revival and surrendered his life to Christ. He served in the European theater and received the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry badge. After he returned to the United States, he met Jerry Catron at Louisiana College. They were married June 2, 1949, and were married for 69 years until her death Sept. 19, 2018. Ichter received the Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana College and the Master of Sacred Music from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The Ichters served the Lord in three churches: Emmanuel Baptist Church in Alexandria, La., Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, La., and First Baptist Church, Amite, La. After sensing God’s call to missions, they were appointed missionaries and went with their … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE (LBM) - In a day when fewer young professionals nationwide are attending worship services as consistently as prior generations, Louisiana Baptist young adults are bucking the trend, Keith Manuel said during the C3: Christ, Church, Culture Apologetics Conference in Louisiana College’s Guinn Auditorium, Sept. 9. The C3 Conference is sponsored by LC’s Wayne and Martha Jenkins Center for Evangelism and Missions. “God is doing some great things in and through our Millennials,” he said. “And I believe we can reach this state through the things they love.” Citing a Barna study, Manuel said 47 percent of Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) and 27 percent of Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) agree that “it is wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith.” However, during his travels around the state, Manuel said he gathered much hope for the faithfulness of Louisiana Baptist students. Manuel believes the next generation of Christ followers will become passionate about evangelism, participation in mission trips, service to their community and helping the less … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Colt Waagner, David Ray Robertson, Dustin Cunningham were licensed to the gospel ministry during the final night of the Hot August Night Revival at Old Zion Hill Baptist Church, Independence. Pastor: Gary Dennis. Jay Foster is the new interim pastor at Bethsaida Baptist Church, Ida. Ren Watkins has left Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport as middle school minister for First Baptist Church, Moss Bluff. Michael Sanders is the new pastor at West Lake Baptist Church, Doyline. David Martin has retired from Hopewell Baptist Church, Spearsville. John Rushing is the new pastor at Sardis Baptist Church, Farmerville. HOMECOMING Glenmora Baptist Church, Glenmora: 125th Homecoming Celebration, September 27-29, Friday, 6:30 p.m. Speaker: Todd Burnaman; Saturday, 6:30 p.m. Speaker: Neil Treme; … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS director of communications NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) and Louisiana College (LC) recently signed an articulation agreement designed to help God-called men and women save time and money as they prepare for ministry. The agreement, signed by NOBTS president Jamie Dew and LC president Rick Brewer, paves the way for Christian studies majors from LC to apply a portion of their undergraduate coursework to the Accelerated Master of Divinity program at NOBTS (Accelerated M.Div.). The program reduces educational redundancy and the time it takes to complete the M.Div. by leveraging the quality biblical studies and ministry instruction students receive at LC. Students who are approved for this advanced standing can complete the M.Div. degree at NOBTS faster than students who are not eligible for the program. According to Dew, the main goal of the agreement is to advance the gospel by helping God-called men and women complete their ministry preparation in a timely manner. “With an eye towards advancing Christ’s Kingdom, it is absolutely vital that we provide efficient avenues for our students to receive theological preparation,” Dew said. “As such, we are excited about … [Read more...]

By Message Staff PINEVILLE – A movement by the Holy Spirit prompted 50 Louisiana College students to come to the altar and make life-changing decisions for Jesus during the opening day of the fall campus revival Tuesday, Sept. 17. In his message based on 1 Peter 1, Don Wilton, revival evangelist and pastor of the First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, told the students to obey God’s call on their lives. “Today I invite you to just settle the ‘who are you’ part of your life,” Wilton said. “Just nail down that today. “You want to know what to do?” he continued. “All I can tell you is what Jesus tells us to do. Just lay it down, settle who you are before Him. If you don’t know Jesus Christ, come today. Give your life to Christ.” Wilton told the students God values all of them, and encouraged them to keep him first during their life as a college student and afterwards. “I want to thank God because He’s given you, through the new birth, a living hope,” he said. “You are not hopeless. You have a reason to live. You’ve got a purpose. You’re not a nobody. You’re somebody in and through the Lord Jesus.” He reminded those who have placed their faith in Christ that they are not residents of earth, but … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE (LCNews) -- In the interest of public safety, Louisiana College has implemented a clear bag policy that limits the size and types of bags that may be carried by attendees into ticketed activities. The implementation of this measure is intended to enhance public safety while minimizing time spent searching bags at entrance security checkpoints and easing access into the facility. Louisiana College strongly encourages all attendees not to bring unauthorized types of bags to H.O. West Fieldhouse, the LC Football Stadium, Guinn Auditorium, the LC Softball Complex, the Billy Allgood Baseball Complex or the Martin Performing Arts Center. The only permissible bags or containers must meet the following parameters: Bags that are clear plastic or vinyl and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" All clear bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" are permissible (backpacks, drawstring bags, fanny packs, etc.) One-gallon, clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bags or similar) Small "clutch" purses, no larger than 4 1/2" x 6 1/2", with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the stadium in addition to the approved clear plastic bags. Attendees also will be able to carry other items allowed in such as binoculars and … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LC News PINEVILLE (LCNews) -- Louisiana College’s Guinn Auditorium resounded with applause and cheers as Rick Brewer, president, welcomed the incoming freshman class of 2023 during LC’s inaugural chapel service for the Fall 2019 semester. After acknowledging other classes, Brewer encouraged students, staff, and faculty “not to be people who settle for just average.” Drawing from Ephesians 3:20-21, President Brewer noted that God is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. That’s somewhere out in the stratosphere and I can’t get my mind around it.” But this is what God wants for all his children. Citing the success of Chick-fil-A (CFA), Brewer said the company that was founded in 1946 faced its worst fiscal year in 1982. CFA leaders addressed the problem with one question: “‘Why are we here?’ In response to that question, the leadership prayed.” Then they developed this mission statement: “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.” The point is that CFA chose not to settle for average but was blessed by God for a commitment to glorify him. That blessing is reflected, in … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LC News PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) — Louisiana College adds seven faculty members from across the United States and around the globe. “These gifted academes are world-class,” said Dr. Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana College. “They have excelled in their education. They have written books and journal articles and led conferences. My interviews with each one gives me confidence that these stellar educators will significantly enhance the rich and commendable academic heritage of Louisiana College.” With global experience in conducting, teaching, and performing, Dr. Joshua Davis comes from the University of Florida with a PhD in Music Education and will serve as Director of Bands. He earned a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in music, as well as a Bachelor of Music Education from Tennessee Technological University. Dr. David Hill comes from Pensacola Christian College to serve as Assistant Professor of Theory and Piano.  He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts, Piano Performance, Pedagogy, and Literature, from James Madison University. He earned his MA and BA in Piano Performance from Pensacola Christian College. Hill has international recital experience and has won a Top Teacher Award … [Read more...]