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 Larry Baldridge, pastor of Bayou Life Baptist Church, Cottonport, is the new worship pastor at First Baptist Church, Abbeville. HOMECOMING Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church, Bogalusa: 70th Homecoming, February 9, 10:30 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the morning worship service. Speaker: Marcus Rosa. There will also be testimonies by charter members and former staff. Music: Waylon Mills and the Westside worship band. Special Music: Reunion choir and orchestra. The day will include celebration of baptisms. Pastor: Marcus Rosa. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Haynesville: Revival, January 27-30, Sunday, 10:45 a.m. & 7 p.m; Monday-Wednesday, 7 p.m. Meals each night will be in the Family Life Center at 6 p.m. Evangelist: The Lisembys. Bring your friends, family and the lost for a week of … [Read more...]

By Message Staff PINEVILLE – Full-time law enforcement and first responders, who enroll in Louisiana College’s criminal justice program, will receive a 20 percent discount on their tuition the school announced a Tuesday, Jan. 15 press conference. “I personally have a desire to help more men and women who are serving us – both protecting and preserving our communities and doing a wonderful job – to enable them  to receive a degree in criminal justice from Louisiana College,” LC President Rick Brewer said during the press conference. “We hope it will encourage men and women to come and get this great education that’s Christ-centered and focused toward making a difference in our community and beyond.” The 127-academic credit hour criminal justice program equips students with the analytical and critical thinking skills in the areas of crime prevention, justice and public safety. Students can take classes on campus, on-line or a combination of the two. LC Professor of Criminal Justice Joshua Joy Dara called the partnership between LC and the criminal justice field a perfect union. “Our US Constitution, our Bill of Rights and our court system are all linked into the Word of God,” said Dara, who also serves as pastor of … [Read more...]

By Message Staff PINEVILLE (LBM) -- Louisiana College has entered into an agreement to accept coursework completed by students at the Louisiana Community and Technical College System who transfer to the Louisiana Baptist school. LC President Rick Brewer and LCTC System President Monty Sullivan signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday, January 9, to create a partnership that grants qualified transfer students opportunities that include possible junior status at LC, scholarships and priority status for on-campus housing. Incoming students must meet certain criteria, including an associate degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Students who have not completed an associate degree can still transfer with a minimum of 24 credit hours with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Brewer said the agreement is effective immediately. “As Central Louisiana Technical College and the other branches of the Community and Technical College System are going to grow, those students will have the opportunity to matriculate directly into Louisiana College,” Brewer said. “It’s going to give students more opportunity to get a Christ-centered education, whether they are working adults, whether they are … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LC News PINEVILLE (LCNews) — Membership with the Board of Visitors is growing, individual donations are on the rise in volume and amount, and in general, Louisiana College’s donor base is on the upswing. “As the turnaround at Louisiana College continues since 2015, alumni, donors, and friends are getting on board -- and some back on board -- with the new direction on the Hill in Pineville,” said LC President Rick Brewer. “We appreciate the return of so many prayer partners and financial supporters.” The college recently received a substantial gift from the Cason Foundation, and within two weeks, the Foundation doubled the gift, Brewer said. “Words fall short in expressing how grateful we are for the open-handed generosity of Edgar and Flo Cason.” “We’ve heard about the good things happening at Louisiana College,” Flo Cason said. “And when we met with Rick and Cathy, Edgar and I were convinced that LC is in the very best of hands.” Edgar Cason told LCNews: “Our consideration for Louisiana College is two-fold: We fully endorse the college’s vision for ‘Preparing Graduates and Transforming Lives’ as we wholeheartedly support the leadership of President Rick Brewer and his leadership team.” Though … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY - Members of the First Baptist Church in Bossier City are facing a “new normal” after a fire destroyed 75 percent of their facilities, but Pastor Brad Jurkovich believes the congregation’s greatest days are ahead. “We will move forward and rebuild,” Jurkovich said Dec. 16 during the first Sunday worship service following the devastating fire. “And I believe God will use First Bossier to reach thousands for Jesus in the coming years.” On Dec. 10 a three-alarm fire began at 5:30 a.m., originating with an uninterruptible power supply backup battery for a computer. The flames began in an office space near Faith Chapel — the original worship center — and spread quickly to the attic and other buildings including the childcare center and various youth facilities. About 65 firefighters fought the blaze, finally extinguishing it about 3:30 p.m. that same day. The congregation held a meeting in the Bossier Civic Center on Wednesday, Dec. 12, to pray, worship and organize for recovery, but the Sunday service was the first post-fire gathering on campus. There was an extended time for expressing gratitude to first responders and thanking officials for their support Dec. 16, … [Read more...]