By Staff LAFAYETTE, La. – The Bayou Church will demolish a 45-year-old building damaged by Hurricane Delta on April 25 that will make way for expansion of the Church’s existing facilities. According to a news release, the 33,000-sq.-ft. building sustained significant damage to its roof and infrastructure after Hurricane Delta made its way through the Lafayette area in October 2020. Built in 1979, the former skating rink, known as Roller City, has served as a worship and event space since it was purchased by the church in 1986. Senior Pastor Sean Walker said once demolished, the space will allow the church to add onto its current worship center and educational space. With a completion date expected in 2023, the additional space will include a large central lobby, new children’s space, a 250-seat multi-purpose worship venue, a coffee shop, and restrooms. “It’s a bittersweet day as this building has had so much ministry for decades; so many small groups, worship services, gatherings, meetings, people finding community, and so many people led to Christ in this place,” Walker said. “We are thankful for this building, but we’re excited about what the future holds. The demolition is paving the way for something new as we … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – Doris Perkins, 99, recently paid a visit to the Georgia Barnette Conference Center prayer garden to view, for the first time, a brick that honored her missions-centered legacy. Perkins, the only living charter member of Homewood Baptist Church, Alexandria, shared the moment with family and friends at the garden, which is a large walled terrace made of bricks, each purchased in 2016 to honor individuals and loved ones. The sale of bricks during construction of the GBCC helped offset costs of building the facility. During their April 12 visit to the prayer garden, the group also viewed a brick that honored three other women (Lottie Knox, Essie Raxsdale and Mignon McDonald) who were leaders of the missions ministry of the church. All three women have since passed. Named after Georgia Barnette, the first elected Woman’s Missionary Union executive director/ treasurer in Louisiana, the 8,400-square-foot GBCC is located on the grounds of Tall Timbers Conference Center, Woodworth, and regularly hosts groups for conferences and camps. Though she no longer is active in the church’s WMU chapter, Perkins has remained steadfast in her support of missions. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The CENLA Pregnancy Center has seen a flurry of activity during the four months of 2022, from welcoming a new board president to starting construction on a third location in the state. After Brian Gunter resigned as board president in March, Ed Tarpley moved up from his position as vice president. Gunter moved out of the area to serve as the new pastor of the First Baptist Church in Livingston. Tarpley is a member of Kingsville Baptist Church, Ball. Todd St. Romain (a member of St. Paul the Apostolic Catholic Church, Mansura) was elected vice president of the 10-member board and Darryl Stagg (director of missions, CenLa and Big Creek Baptist Associations) was elected the new treasurer. Glen Harrigill (pastor, Riverside Baptist Church, Vidalia) is the representative from Delta Baptist Association, Vidalia, a new position on the board. CENLA Pregnancy Center Executive Director Claire Lemoine expressed appreciation for Gunter, whose vision to start a pregnancy care center in 2014 came to fruition when the doors opened in 2017 at 1254 MacArthur Drive, on the Louisiana Baptist Convention ministry center campus in Alexandria. “We are grateful for the … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – An arson investigation is underway after security camera footage showed suspicious activity at Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, early Monday morning, April 18. “We are grateful for God’s protection over our people and facilities and thankful for our first responders,” Pastor Micah Cating wrote in a statement. Firefighters were called to the church at 7:28 a.m. Monday, the Baton Rouge Advocate reported. By that time, the fire had long been out. Arson investigators are searching for the subject. According to WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge, the surveillance footage captured an individual wearing a mask and gloves walking up to the building. A few moments later a flash occurred. No damage was reported to the building. Cating said the church continues to work with investigators. Anyone with information on the incident should contact fire investigators at 225.389.2050. … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE, La. (LCUNews) – Students in academics and athletics were recognized at Louisiana Christian University’s 61st annual honors convocation April 14. Additionally, two faculty members were recognized with endowed professorships. English professor Julie Driessen received The McCormick-Huie Professorship in English and Journalism and Nicholas Maricle, assistant professor of Missions and Ministries, received the Lyndon E. Dawson, Sr., Professorship in Religion. Student awards are listed below by department: Art Central Louisiana Ad Club Scholarship Award: Nathaniel Madrid, Alexandria Grady Harper Scholarship Award: Jocelyn Holt, Salinas, California Thilo Steinschulte Scholarship Award: Sarah Brooks, Baytown, Maryland Athletics NAIA Student Athlete Award : Kae’ron Baker, Navasota, Texas & Kayla Dauthier, Jarreau Business ACBSP Student Leadership Award: Agigail Shields, Deville Central Louisiana Chapter of Society of Louisiana CPAs Round Robin Interview Scholarship: Adam Hair, Sulphur Outstanding Graduating Senior in Business: Administration : Adam Hair, Sulphur Outstanding Junior in Business Administration: Ting Jiang, Eunice & Salvador Palermo, Walker Society of LA CPAs … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff GDASNK, Poland (LBM) – In the short time Stan Statham has been in Poland, Louisiana Baptist’s Disaster Relief strategist has been touched by the spirit and resiliency of Ukrainian refugees who have sought refuge in Gdasnk. And in the months ahead, Statham reiterated that efforts by Louisiana Baptists and others would need to be stepped up to help provide for those who fled the ongoing violence in Ukraine. “They are uncertain about their future and wonder will they be able to return home,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “Daily provisions are going to be an ongoing concern. “But I am touched by the kindness and generosity of the refugees,” he continued. “They invite us in and offer us hot tea or whatever they have.” Statham with six other LBDR team members are in Poland for a week ministering to Ukrainian refugees at First Baptist Church, Gdansk. They spent much of their day on April 14 continuing to remodel an apartment that will house 16 Ukrainian refugees while also leading a Bible class for the children of the refugees. He asked Louisiana Baptists to consider praying and giving to ongoing relief efforts. One of the most pressing needs is for two ladies who speak Russian to come … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE, LA (LCUNews) -- Two Louisiana Christian University science majors have earned coveted spots at the University of Southern Mississippi in research experiences for undergraduates (REU) this summer. Sophomore Joshua Poole, a pre-engineering with chemistry major from Lithia, Florida, will be doing his REU in the polymer science and engineering department. Junior Ethan West, a chemistry major from Pine Prairie, will be doing his REU in the Southern Miss chemistry department. Poole’s National Science Foundation funded program focuses on “polymer innovations for a sustainable future.” Poole said he is excited about the opportunity this gives STEM students to experience what an actual job in their major would be like. Plus, it comes with a $6000 stipend. West is participating in a National Science Foundation funded program focusing on “sensing and assembly based on non-covalent interactions,” he said. The central focus of the program is biochemistry, with the assembly of proteins and macromolecules, as well as the synthesis of bioactive molecules. “Ethan West and Josh Poole are both excellent students,” said David Elliott, chair of the Division of Natural Sciences. “Both are dedicated learners and gifted in … [Read more...]