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...]

ADDIS, La. (LBM)--On Sept. 11, 2001, then Lt. Jerry Sillcocks, a member of the New York City Fire Department, lost a number of friends who died in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. But his grief is soothed in part from knowing he will one day see several co-workers who professed Christ as Lord after he shared the Gospel with them only months earlier. Sillcocks, who now is a captain with the fire department, shared his testimony during two worship services at the Church at Addis in the Baton Rouge area Sept. 9. He said life can end unexpectedly just like it did for his fellow firefighters who perished in just a few seconds that day 18 years ago. “The Bible says if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you will be saved,” he said. “That’s how easy it is. God made it easy for people like me and God changed my heart because I needed it. It’s that easy. Who’s Jesus to you?” Watch a video of Sillcocks' testimony by clicking below: https://youtu.be/NnYiSmgvTTg … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer CATAHOULA (LBM)- -The simple obedience of one man, by sharing the Gospel in the heart of Catahoula, has reaped a spiritual harvest not experienced before at Lakefront Community Church: seven members of one family were baptized in a single day. As he lowered and raised each new convert in the baptistery, March 3, Pastor Randy Bowman smiled thinking about the faithful witness of Marshall Savoie, and, how this man’s faithfulness led to the most baptisms ever for the congregation, which averages 20 in attendance at Thursday evening worship services. “When you see a family respond, you just sit back and are in awe of what the Lord has done,” Bow-man told the Baptist Message. “This is a testimony to this entire town be-cause everyone knows everybody here and many are not church goers,” he explained. “When they see an entire family step forward and proclaim their faith in Christ, it leaves an impression with other people in this community. We are just excited about how the Lord is going to move next at our church.” The Gospel seeds were planted in early February when Bowman and Savoie ventured out into downtown Catahoula to distribute Bibles and share the Gospel. Savoie, who is a … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Thirteen preteens responded to Keith Badgett’s invitation to become followers of Christ during Preteen Invasion, Saturday, Aug. 24. “We are sinners and we are broken,” Badgett said during the annual evangelism conference attended by more than 600 fourth, fifth and sixth graders at Louisiana College in Pineville. “And (God) brings us back together with the shed blood of Jesus. I’m going to give you the opportunity to follow Jesus. Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Have you cast your cares upon Him? Jesus is all that matters right now.” Badgett, children’s pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jenks, Oklahoma, was the main speaker for PreTeen Invasion. The event inside Guinn Auditorium at Louisiana College also featured music by the Crowe Brothers from Franklinton and jump roping demonstrations by Guinness World Record champion Peter Nestler from Juneau, Alaska. Badgett, who based his message on Matthew 28:19-20, told the preteens to see the power of the Lord and hear the calling of God. He also challenged the youngsters to share Christ at their school, and to be open to doing so one day in another country. “Are you a disciple of Jesus?” he asked the … [Read more...]