By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA -- Hours after powerful storms tore through many parts of Louisiana Sunday, April 2, Louisiana Baptists were quickly on the ground, responding to neighbors whose homes were heavily damaged. Around 75 people from Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria divided into five teams Monday morning, April 3, and helped clean up yards in nearby neighborhoods. “We are here to help the neighbors walk through a difficult time,” said David Brooks, pastor of Calvary Baptist. “This is one way we can come alongside them and let them know we care and want to help.” James Thompson, whose niece’s home was damaged, said he was thankful the church members came out to help. “They are a God-send,” Thompson said. “These people are a blessing and are bringing all of us happiness.” For much of the day April 2 and into the morning hours April 3, portions of the state were deluged with torrential rains and high winds. The Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness reported four confirmed tornadoes in the state, but that number could increase following assessment by National Weather Service personnel. A suspected tornado flipped a mobile home off its foundation Sunday at 9:30 … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message LAKE CHARLES -- With the recent storms in southwest Louisiana, more than 100 homes have been damaged by flooding, fallen trees, and wind. This weekend with more severe weather expected the Carey Association is asking for help. In an email sent Friday, March 31, Sara Drott, Carey Association director of communications,  said some of the families affected or will be affected by this weather are unable to clean up and repair the damages by themselves. They are asking for volunteers to come help in the clean-up process. “If you would be willing to spend a day or two working,” said Drott, “please call me at 33.474.1865 or email me at  sara@careyassoc.org  and we will contact you with more details as we get them. We appreciate any and all help that we get!” … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Supporters of the first pregnancy care center in central Louisiana signed articles of incorporation, paving the way for an entity that could save the lives of many unborn children. During a special ceremony March 30 at the Baptist Mission Center in Pineville, a room full of pastors, physicians and other pro-life supporters gathered to finalize paperwork to make the formation of the Cenla Pregnancy Center official. With a targeted opening of late this year, the center will not only equip pregnant women with the necessary education to go through with the birth of their unborn child but provide them with tools for biblical-based parenting. “Our goal is to save lives and save souls,” said Brian Gunter, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pollock. “We want to save the lives of the children but we also want to share the Gospel with the parents. We want to not only teach about choosing life but we also want to teach about marriage and the role of a mom and dad in the home. We will offer free classes from everything to maternity care to caring for the newborn to parenting to pre-marital counseling.” Since his church began praying in January 2014 for the establishment of a … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE – It was a fitting honor for the man who was the face of Louisiana College athletics for almost four decades. Billy Allgood, the legendary former basketball and baseball coach at LC, returned Wednesday, March 29, to the baseball facility that deservedly bears his name for a special ceremony. A permanent sign at the entrance to the baseball field where he won hundreds of games in 30 seasons was dedicated. In addition to being honored by the school but also received a key to the city of Pineville and got an opportunity to reminisce on his storied career. He told reporters after the ceremony that he was humbled to be honored by so many former players, friends and community members. "It's a great honor and you have to experience it to appreciate it," Allgood said. "There was a lot of work that went into this field and it turned out to be very good. Coach (Mike) Byrnes has done a great job of keeping the field up and improving it." Allgood came to LC as head basketball coach and assistant football coach in 1959. He was appointed athletic director in 1965 and was given head baseball coach responsibilities in 1969. While at LC, Allgood, who had a reputation throughout the south as a solid coach and a stern … [Read more...]

By Message Staff NATCHITOCHES – A recent series of strong and violent storms in Louisiana has left a path of downed trees and damaged homes in its wake. And it has kept Disaster Relief teams busy cleaning up in its aftermath. A team of Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers spent Saturday, March 25, removing a tree from a home in Oak Grove, a community off Highway 504 west of Natchitoches that saw more than 24 homes damaged from a storm the night before. David Cheatwood, a coordinator with Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief, said a team of volunteers from Sabine and Natchitoches Baptist Associations helped local volunteers take away the pine tree from the homeowner’s living room, as well as assisting covering the damaged roof. Coldwater Baptist Church in Hagewood also had several large trees down but reported no damage to the building, Cheatwood said. Church members and the community came together to clear the property. More violent weather rolled through the state last evening, March 29, though no Disaster Relief teams were activated, according to Gibbie McMillan, Louisiana Baptists State Disaster Relief director. Tornado watches and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued throughout the day Wednesday. … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LC News PINEVILLE (LCNews) – With the anticipated reduction in TOPS, Louisiana College in Pineville is closing the college tuition affordability gap by offering to qualified enrolling freshmen and transfer students who live on campus the G. Earl Guinn Scholarship. “Louisiana College takes seriously the value and proven advantages of campus residential life,” said Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana College. “Residential students perform at a higher level academically, adapt more quickly for life after college, and establish lifetime relationships.” Brewer said LC is also “serious about the shortfall created by TOPS cuts and how that affects families with college-bound students. We are as committed to making college affordable as we are in continuing our rich tradition of academic excellence and heritage of spiritual development.” The G. Earl Guinn Scholarship is named in honor of Louisiana College’s 5th president. He served from 1951 to 1975. LC has significantly reduced tuition for international students enrolling in the college for the first time to a cost that is more than 60 percent less than peer institutions. Qualified enrolling freshmen will pay  at only $10,000 for two, 12-18 hour semesters … [Read more...]

By Message Staff Louisiana College is positioned for a bright future, President Rick Brewer told Louisiana Baptists Associate Director of Communications and Stewardship Strategist Matt Tullos, during a recent interview. “Our vision is to prepare graduates and transform lives,” Brewer added, describing Louisiana College as "transformational" through the exceptional people, programs and places students experience by being part of the Wildcat family and being active in its campus community. Brewer shared about new scholarships, such as the C.S. Lewis Honors Scholars Program (valued at $8,500) for qualified enrolling freshmen who score 28 or higher on the ACT, and, the Francis Schaeffer Scholarship Program, a $2,500 tuition scholarship per year for four years -- that requires involvement as leaders for Disciple Now events in Louisiana Baptist churches, as well participation in mission service projects. Brewer also said 17 buildings on campus have received new roofs, windows in Alexandria Hall have been replaced and Guinn Auditorium is undergoing a $6.5 million refurbishment, adding that he hopes the renovations inside Guinn Auditorium will be complete by the summer of 2018. He also expressed gratitude to Louisiana … [Read more...]