By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Messengers, during the 2022 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 15, adopted an amendment to the Louisiana Baptist Convention Articles of Incorporation that allows a church to contribute solely to state causes and still be an LBC congregation. Previously a church was required to support Southern Baptist causes to be considered “in friendly cooperation” with the LBC. Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn, also speaking as a messenger from Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, noted he was in favor of the change. Horn said the change is not about redefining the Cooperative Program. “The Cooperative Program is not Louisiana Baptists’ definition,” he said. “It is the Southern Baptist Convention’s definition. So, we could not change the definition of the Cooperative Program. We are not seeking to do that with this particular article change. We are merely seeking to keep engaged the churches that have already made the decision and asked us not to send their gifts, through to us, to the Southern Baptist Convention.” Horn said the move is not anti-SBC or anti-CP, but “a conviction that if somebody is giving to Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Congressman Mike Johnson encouraged Louisiana Christian University students and community members to make a stand for biblical truths in a culture that has become increasingly hostile to the Gospel. “The Bible calls us to be salt and light,” Johnson said during the Values and Ethics Series, Nov. 10. “We are the salt. We are the light. If not us, who? It’s our responsibility. It’s the church’s job.” Johnson, who on Nov. 8 was re-elected without opposition to serve a fourth term in the U.S. House, was the keynote speaker for the 7th annual event held inside Guinn Auditorium. He said the founders insisted that religion and morality were essential to maintain the republic, but those foundations are being destroyed by those opposed to the faith. However, Johnson told the students they can help restore those pillars before it is too late. “We have an affirmative responsibility,” Johnson said. “We must defend the foundations. If you see the foundations being eroded, you and I as believers have that affirmative responsibility to do something about it.” Johnson said the United States is different from other countries. While other nations based the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Christian University has named Tomekia Luckett as its new dean of nursing. Speaking at a news conference, Nov. 10, Luckett said she is looking forward to helping prepare graduates to make a difference in the nursing field. “I look at the mission of LCU and not only are we preparing graduates, but we’re also transforming lives,” she said. “I have personally been a witness to the statement of how a nursing profession can transform your life. “I prayed about it and saw this as a different type of position to make a difference now,” Luckett said. “I’ve built my career on trying to be of service to other people. Nursing isn’t just a career, it’s a calling. As dean of nursing, I hope to help others find their calling.” Luckett brings more than 21 years of experience as a nurse and 12 years of administrative and leadership service. She has served as director of nursing for a Licensed Practical Nurses program at Antonelli College, Hattiesburg, Miss., associate professor of nursing for William Carey University, Hattiesburg, and, most recently, the associate dean of Nursing Continuing Professional Development for Walden University, an online … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Two members of the Louisiana Christian University debate team advanced to the novice out-rounds in the 47th annual Red River Swing Tournament at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, Nov. 4-6. LCU was one of 21 teams who participated in the tournament, which began with a full day of preliminary rounds to determine who would advance to the novice out-rounds, a single elimination bracket on the second day of debate. Sophomore Elijah McGrew made it to the finals before losing in a split 2-1 decision by the judges. Senior Misty Tanner, also competing on the second day, was eliminated in the first round. “I’m proud of the growth that I’ve seen in our team in the first half of our season,” LCU Debate Coach Brian Manuel said of his team of 15 students. “Elijah has competed in only two tournaments.  In the first tournament he reached the quarterfinals, and now the finals.” DOCUMENTARY SCREENING TO HIGHLIGHT SUICIDE AWARENESS “My Ascension,” a documentary film about Dutchtown teen Emma Benoit’s road to healing after a 2017 suicide attempt, will be shown at LCU, Nov. 14. The event, which is sponsored by the social work organizations and communities’ class as … [Read more...]

By Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louis Charrier, pastor of Washington Baptist Church and four other congregations, will be nominated for second vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2022 annual meeting. Jacob Crawford, director of City Life NOLA, a ministry which serves the homeless in New Orleans, notified the Baptist Message of his intention to make the nomination. The LBC annual meeting is scheduled to be held in the facilities of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, Nov. 15. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT Crawford noted Charrier’s passion for adding to God's Kingdom. “Brother Louis is known across the state of Louisiana as a serial church planter,” Crawford said of Charrier, who has planted 19 churches. “He loves Jesus and he loves this state. I have never seen a man of God with so much energy and zeal for missions.” Crawford believes Charrier will faithfully serve Louisiana Baptists, and inspire them to point others to Christ. “Brother Louis is an encouragement to everyone he meets,” he continued. “I am proud to call him my friend and partner in ministry.” PERSONAL DATA Charrier earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, and a master’s degree in biblical studies from … [Read more...]

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Congressman Mike Johnson and his wife, Kelly, will be the keynote speakers at Louisiana Christian University’s 7th annual Values and Ethics Series, Nov. 10, 6 p.m., inside Guinn Auditorium. “I love the idea behind the Values and Ethics Series, and I wish every university would host a similar event,” Johnson said. “There is too little emphasis on these subjects today, and the foundations of our country are being destroyed because of it. On Nov. 10, we will discuss why the founders insisted that religion and morality were essential to maintain our republic, and how we can all work to restore those pillars before it is too late.” Johnson, who represents 15 parishes in Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District and has 20 years of experience litigating constitutional law cases, and his wife, who is a licensed Christian counselor, host the weekly podcast “Truth Be Told.” The program offers analysis of current events and topics from a Christian perspective. They have been married 23 years and are members of Cypress Baptist Church, Benton.  UGLY MUG FOUNDER TO SHARE BUSINESS LIFE SKILLS The Business Student Association of Louisiana Christian University will host Wayne Mullins, founder … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NAPLES, Fla. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams recently wrapped up a fruitful month of ministry amongst residents impacted by Hurricane Ian as they saw more than 28 individuals make decisions to follow Christ. From Oct. 3-Oct. 28, team members stationed at First Baptist Church, Naples prepared more than 102,000 meals for residents, and another 4,000 for Southern Baptist DR team members. Teams also were able to complete 373 mud-out jobs. Louisiana Baptist DR team members were assisted by Texas Baptist Men, the Ohio Baptist Convention and an estimated 300 members of FBC, Naples, which hosted the three state conventions. During their final weekend, Louisiana Baptist DR members joined members of FBC Naples for a fall festival that drew more than 5,000 participants. The Louisianans worked in a designated area of the church that offered participants the opportunity to make salvation bracelets, which contained a series of colored beads representing key aspects of the Gospel. It was at this location that Terry Parks, a chaplain and member of First Baptist Church, Swartz, led a girl Anastasia, 11, to Christ. “She came up and her mom knew she was close to … [Read more...]