By Norm Miller, Louisiana College communications PINEVILLE - Louisiana Colleges announced today that new student enrollment is up 14.5 percent compared to the same time last year. The school announced Sept. 7 it has enrolled 255 new freshmen and 61 transfer students for the fall semester. “We are elated to see the reversal of a 5-year trend,” LC President Rick Brewer said. Additionally, the college’s recently launched Certificate in Pastoral Ministry and Missiology tracks of study enrolled 21 new students, but they are not reflected in the 14.5 percent increase. Overall headcount at LC is up 1.5 percent compared to the same time last year - from 1,109 to 1,126, and dormitory occupancy is up by 6.5 percent. “Our spring-to-fall 2016 retention rate of 82 percent, however, is very encouraging,” Brewer said. “An increased enrollment of first-time freshmen, a substantial number of transfer students, and a commendable retention rate indicate that families and students are discovering the outstanding value and excellent academic experience that Louisiana College provides.” Brewer told LCNews there are many reasons for the increases. “We initiated aggressive and strategic marketing strategies, and are experiencing … [Read more...]

By Message Staff BATON ROUGE – A few days after flooding sent several feet of water into thousands of buildings in southern Louisiana, LSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry Director Steve Masters was contacted by a collegiate minister in Georgia with an offer – fans and dehumidifiers. Sky Pratt, collegiate minister at Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Bogart, Ga., orchestrated a drive and collected more than 100 fans and 45 dehumidifiers, which were delivered to Masters and distributed within a few days. Now, Masters is issuing a call for more donations of fans and dehumidifiers. “Some of the flooded homeowner’s greatest needs are dehumidifiers and fans,” said Masters, whose own home was filled with 58 inches of water last month. “It is of critical importance in rebuilding to have the moisture out of the studs and walls of a house. Any type will work.” Among those who have received a dehumidifier is Wayne Vincent, an 86-year-old retired minister of education at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. He is grateful Southern Baptists stepped up in his time of need and urges all Southern Baptists to continue sending donations of any kind. “I would like to thank Prince Avenue Baptist Church for loaning me this dehumidifier … [Read more...]

BATON ROUGE (BP) -- Working as part of his church's disaster relief team, Sonny Ellis died while doing what he did best -- serving people. "He was showing the people of Denham Springs, an example of what Jesus would do," said Roy Hill, pastor of First Baptist Church in Satsuma, Alabama. On Sept. 1, Ellis had just placed a load of laundry in a washing machine with his church's disaster relief laundry unit, which was in operation helping flood survivors of the historic flooding in south Louisiana. A little before lunch, Ellis, 72, lost his balance and fell out of the door of the unit and sustained brain injuries, Hill reported. Ellis was taken to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and died later that evening. "God is still on His throne and Jesus is still Sonny's Savior," Hill wrote on his Facebook page. "We were reminded last night at church that there are times we must prove that we believe what we say we believe. This is one of those times and [the Ellis family] is living out their faith." John Hebert, Louisiana Baptists Director of Missions and Ministry, was saddened to hear the news. "I have connected with his family and pastor to express how all Louisiana Baptists are deeply saddened … [Read more...]

NASHVILLE (BP) -- As Louisiana recovers from historic flooding, LifeWay Christian Resources wants to help churches, pastors and other victims. Part of the effort includes restoring Bible study material and pastoral libraries lost in the floodwaters. "LifeWay provides biblical solutions for life," said Thom Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. "We want to support these pastors and churches during the good times, but even more during the difficult times. Replacing some of what was lost is a way for LifeWay to stand with pastors and churches through these heartbreaking circumstances." Amy Thompson, director of corporate relations, said, "Pastors were reaching out to LifeWay before the floodwaters even receded. We understand at least 35 pastors' homes and 60 churches are flooded." Bill Robertson, director of pastoral leadership at the Louisiana Baptist Convention, is helping coordinate LifeWay's ministry to flooded churches and pastors. "LifeWay is our partner in ministry to teach and reach people," he said. "In preparation for preaching and teaching, the pastor's library is an essential tool. When you lose it, it only compounds your misery during these difficult days. The resources provided by LifeWay … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LAFAYETTE – As he passed by a local fast food restaurant, Wayne Barber felt a nudging by the Holy Spirit to stop and see what God had in store for he and his fellow Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team members. When Barber did, the Southern Baptists of Texas Disaster Relief chaplain found a worker in the establishment discouraged and in need of hope after flooding in mid-August left her apartment uninhabitable. Moments later, Barber offered her something that would never wash away or be destroyed – a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. She would be the first person over the next three days in the same restaurant and in the same booth – and one of nearly 40 altogether during Barber’s eight days there – to make a decision for Christ. “There were three people in a row at the same booth, three days in a row, all accepting Christ,” said Barber, still all smiles after his week in Louisiana. “It was amazing how we were going down the road and the Holy Spirit nudged us to go in there, even though we really hadn’t planned to at first. “Every night when we go to bed we pray the Lord would prepare divine appointments the next day,” said Barber, a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell,vMessage Staff Writer DENHAM SPRINGS – James Carson is calling all soul winners to join him at Northside Baptist Church in spreading the Gospel to those hurting after recent flooding in south Louisiana. “We need all the help and prayers and support we can get,” said Carson, interim pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Denham Springs. “We as a church are looking at this opportunity not only of ministering to the physical needs of people but more importantly to the spiritual needs and trying to win people all over this community to Jesus Christ. We will put forth a really hard effort to get that done in our community here. “And we welcome any soul winners to come and join us in this effort,” he added. “We would appreciate that.” Nearly four feet of water came inside the worship center at Northside Baptist Church in mid-August. Nearly everything from pews to hymnals to carpet is ruined, except for the baby grand piano, an organ and the Bible sitting atop the Lord’s Supper table. “We are most grateful that our grand piano and organ was spared as they are used to glorify our Lord with leading our praise to Him in worship,” Carson said. “We also are grateful the large family Bible on the communion … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Larry Evans is the new interim pastor following the resignation of Chris Campo  as pastor at Parkerson Avenue Baptist Church, Crowley. Chad (wife Dawn) Boudreaux is new worship leader at First Baptist Church, Crowley. Kaylie Glovier is new children minister at Red River Baptist Church, Benton. Jerry Elkins retires as music minister from Cross Point Baptist Church, Bossier City. Bruce Edwards retires as education minister from Airline Baptist Church, Bossier City. Mike Landry retires as pastor at Bethany Baptist Church, Bethany. Derek Cox resigned as pastor at Springs of Grace Baptist Church, Shreveport. Rex Blankenship named as interim pastor at Springs of Grace Baptist Church, Shreveport. IN REMEMBERANCE C Bullard Jones, 85, passed away July 26, 2016 after a brief illness. Raised in Winnfield, he graduated from Louisiana College in Pineville, where he met his wife Sunnye Dykes. He went on to obtain his Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. During his long service in ministry, he served churches in Louisiana and Texas. He retired from the ministry in Baton Rouge. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara (Sunnye) Dykes Jones. He leaves behind four sons and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALBANY – Jase Shawley had just wrapped up a sermon to 350 evacuees from the historic flooding in southern Louisiana when he was approached by a church member who passed along a request from Cindy, a nearly-blind woman and an avowed atheist. “She really wants to speak with you about her salvation,” the Bethlehem Baptist Church student minister was told. Later that Aug. 14 afternoon, Shawley shared with her the basic plan of salvation and afterward Cindy had reason not only to celebrate having survived the storm, but also being rescued by Christ. “Cindy told me she didn’t know what had happened but it was something like she had never felt before,” Shawley said. “She told me she had grown up being taught God didn’t exist. But now her heart was telling her He was real. “Watching somebody who literally had nothing to do with any form of church or praying until that morning and then watching her say ‘Lord I need you’ just hours later was beautiful.” But Cindy’s salvation is not the only miracle God has performed at Bethlehem Baptist Church as a result of the storm. Floodwaters rapidly rose in the church parking Aug. 12, until Shawley asked God to intervene. Afterward, the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ZACHARY – Since the launching of Cross Creek Cowboy Church in 2013, Pastor Josh Morris has talked to his congregation about being Jesus’ hands and feet. In mid-August, they got that chance when many in the congregation stepped up and helped serve 600 hot meals, rescued horses and cleaned out the inside of homes heavily damaged from what has been called the 1,000-year flood. All this happened despite the church getting 2 1/2 feet of water in its own building. Fortunately, the water quickly receded and repairs already have been completed, Morris said, and he offered that many churches in the southern part of the state were not in as favorable a position. But he said regardless of the situation facing a congregation, God can use the devastation caused by the flood for good. “A lot of people have questions,” Morris said. “Where do they turn first? Church. This is where they come for encouragement when bad things happen. It gives us an opportunity to reach those who normally don’t go to church.” “The love of Christ is what we are showing,” he continued. “What they need right now is for us to minister to them and get their needs met first. Then we can start sharing the … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message Louisiana Baptists have announced an initiative to partner healthy churches with churches impacted by the mid-August flooding in southern Louisiana. In some cases, multiple congregations will be connected with the same church due to the size of the recovery and rebuilding projects, said Wayne Jenkins, director of evangelism for Louisiana Baptists. Already, 34 churches have stepped up, he said. But 50-60 more partners are needed to care for up to another 40 or so churches still seeking financial and manpower assistance. Jenkins used as an example Amite Baptist Church in Denham Springs – home to 625 worshipers on a typical Sunday – which was flooded with up to 4 feet of water Aug. 13 and experienced about $1.3 million in damages. Unfortunately, the congregation did not have flood insurance to deal with the devastation caused by the 1000-year rainfall, he explained. “I just believe there are plenty of churches that are willing and are able to do something to assist flood-impacted churches like Amite,” Jenkins said. For information on how to partner with a flood-impacted church, call 318.446.3242. … [Read more...]