By Staff, Baptist Message BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM)—Although the state budget dominated the 2017 Louisiana legislative session, Louisiana Baptists scored dramatic victories on moral and social concerns, including: promotion of right to life issues; protection of children from exposure to online pornography; and, prevention of the creation of a special class of transgender rights. The success in pushing through these bills and resolutions, and in some cases defeating proposed legislation, was a result of working with faithful Louisiana Baptists serving as lawmakers for the state as well as coordinating among like-minded conservatives to rally votes in committees and on the floor of the House and Senate, according to Will Hall, director of the office of public policy for Louisiana Baptists. “We were blessed to work with individuals like Senator Beth Mizell, a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Franklinton, who championed the rescue and protection of children from sexual exploitation and human trafficking, and, also pushed through restrictions to prevent a minor from obtaining an abortion without parental consent,” Hall told the Baptist Message. “Representative Rick Edmonds, a retired Louisiana Baptist pastor, worked … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Mike (wife Jessica) Fontenot is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Basile. Marty Black has resigned as Director of Missions for the North Central Baptist Association to become the new pastor of New Chapel Hill Baptist Church, West Monroe. Tim Robinson is the new pastor at Victory Baptist Church, Walker. Blake Hoffpauir is the new pastor at St. Landry Baptist Church. Scott Mercer is the new camp director at Camp Living Waters, Loranger. Bill (wife Kathleen) Lott is the new pastor at Ferry Lake Baptist Church. Sklyar Hollis is the youth and children director at First Baptist Church Vivian. Josh Cagle resigned as pastor at Red River Baptists Church, Benton. Billy Pierce is the interim pastor at Red River Baptists Church, Benton. HOMECOMING Pisgah Baptist Church, Florien: Homecoming Celebration, July 30, no Sunday School, Worship Service 10:30 a.m.- noon. Potluck meal will follow the service. Speaker: Hoy Leach, former pastor. Pastor: C.M. Kelly. First Baptist Church, Princeton: Homecoming Celebration, July 23, 10:30 a.m. Guest Speaker: Bill Britt. Pastor: Darrell Cooper. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Minden: Summer Revival Series, July 9-23. July 23 – Speaker: Chris Fleming. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Celebrating the 200th church started in the state since 2010, Louisiana Baptists Executive Director David Hankins challenged and thanked church planters, urging them to not flag in their zeal and encouraging them with appreciation for the souls that have been saved because of their work to share the Gospel. Hankins made his remarks July 12 at a reception at the state convention’s ministry center in Alexandria. “I want to encourage you to institutionalize your churches,” Hankins exhorted. “Sometimes the word ‘institution’ gets a bad rap – interpreted to mean ‘staid, lifeless, cold, dead and unmoving,’” he said. “But I think ‘institution’ is a good word. It says something about strength, substance, dependability, safety, character and longevity. “That’s the kind of church I want you to plant,” Hankins continued, speaking to the group of church planters in attendance. “I want you, by God’s grace, to build a church that’s an institution, that people would look at that place where you gather for ministry and say, ‘That Baptist church is an institution of this town. We can count on it. It’s going to be there.’” “In 10 years, if the Lord hasn’t returned, and we … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE -- Louisiana College announced in December 2015 a $100K donor challenge from an alumnus who wanted others to join his efforts in underwriting campus beautification projects. Alumni and friends of LC responded, but only reached the halfway mark. After prayer and consideration, alumnus Don Hill and his wife Terry stepped up with the remaining $50,000, thus completing the $100K challenge. “This gift is transformational for the campus and helps build the spirit of community,” said Rick Brewer, president of LC. “I am profoundly grateful for the philanthropy of Don and Terry Hill. They have invested in curb appeal at LC, which is the third most significant consideration of college-bound students. While we are thankful for how the Hills’ gift will improve our campus, we are even more enthused by their example and the unified heart that inspires them.” The Hills already demonstrated their generosity toward LC when Don joined LC’s Board of Visitors in 2015 to support a scholarship fund that goes wholly and solely to qualified students. Don -- a 1964 summa cum laude alumnus of LC -- also served as Student Government Association President. His gift will fulfill a long-time goal of LC’s SGA … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE --New student numbers continue to trend upward at Louisiana College as evidenced by attendance at two pre-registration days this year. Called “Front of the Line,” these enrollment events drew a total of 226 students in 2017 as compared to 186 last year. Attendance to the June 24 Front of the Line was 63, almost double the 38 who attended in 2016. “Clearly, we have turned a corner at Louisiana College,” said Louisiana College President Rick Brewer. “Enrollment had trended downward significantly in the years before my arrival in April of 2015,” he said, “but the team we have assembled and the recruitment strategies we have employed are paying significant dividends. What we are seeing is the fruit of our labors and our gracious God’s blessings.” LC’s Front of the Line is not only a time for pre-registration, but also offers instruction on college life for incoming students and a session with parents on matters related to the college experience. Featuring numerous campus leaders, Vice President for Enrollment Management Brandon Bannon keynoted the event. While touting LC’s heritage of academic excellence and notable faculty, Bannon cited the college’s commitment to integrating … [Read more...]