By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - From the church pulpit to the governor's visit, softball fields to ribbon cuttings, Louisiana Christian University President Mark L. Johnson has spent the spring months fully immersed in advancing the mission of LCU across Louisiana and beyond. Since early spring, Johnson has logged over 10,000 miles, meeting with donors, visiting churches, attending alumni events, and championing the cause of Christian higher education throughout the region. And his official start date of June 1 isn’t even here yet. Johnson was unanimously voted in as LCU’s 10th president in February by the Board of Trustees. "It's been a rich and rewarding season," Johnson said. "The Lord is opening doors for LCU, and we're stepping through them with boldness, vision and gratitude." Celebrating students remained a top priority. Highlights included the LCU Ring Ceremony, spirited support for the university's softball and baseball teams, and special graduation recognitions for student-athletes. Café Du Monde celebrations and engaging theatrical productions added joy and creativity to campus life. Of campus, Johnson preached at churches across Louisiana, spoke at the Director of Missions … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer POLLOCK, La. (LBM) – Twenty-eight men from Franklin Parish recently committed to step-up and follow Jesus during a men’s retreat at Camp Grant Walker in Pollock. On the final day of the spiritual encounter, March 27-29, the men rejoiced as they were baptized in Big Creek on the camp property. “When people just bear their soul, they get honest, and God takes a hold of them; there’s nothing more exciting than seeing the change,” retreat co-organizer Marc Kelly told the Baptist Message. “And we never get tired of it.” Bubba Smith, another member of the retreat leadership team, added: “The very first time we walked into the camp area, I looked at Big Creek and said ‘It would be cool if God allowed us to baptize men right there in this creek.’ It has become a special place for our retreat guests, and we have seen many baptized there.” BACKGROUND The retreat was one of two Central Louisiana men's retreat ministries hosted in March. The other, held March 20-22 at Clara Springs Baptist Camp in Pelican, resulted in 11 men coming to Christ and later being baptized in their home churches. CENLA women recently completed a retreat, April 2-4, at Clara Springs where 17 women … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 MONROE, La. (LBM) – For months, staff and lay leaders with North Monroe Baptist Church prayed for the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of 40 men who would be attending a men’s retreat, March 14-16. God answered those prayers when 16 men stepped forward for baptism during an NMBC morning worship service on the final day of the event, while more made other life-changing decisions for Christ. “These men got away for a weekend and experienced the peace from other men who knew Jesus and had that life change,” NMBC Director of Facilities and Men’s Ministry Jeff McPherson told the Baptist Message. “And they wanted to have what those men had. “It’s hard to wrap my head around what the Holy Spirt does each time we have a men’s retreat,” he continued. “We make these plans … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - Nelda Seal, former director of the Louisiana Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union, passed April 28. She was 91. “Ms. Nelda was a Missional force in the state of Louisiana that was felt beyond our borders,” Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry Team Director James Jenkins told the Baptist Message. “I believe she will be remembered among those who were just below Georgia Barnette in women missions and ministry. I was personally influenced and enjoyed my time of working with her to make Christ known in our state.” Louisiana Baptist Women’s Missions and Ministry Strategist Christine Gill echoed the thought. “We mourn the passing of Nelda Seal, a strong WMU leader and devoted champion of missions,” she said. “Her legacy of faith, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the Great Commission will continue to inspire all who follow in her footsteps.” Seal served as the state WMU director from November 1986-June 1995. She also was interim director of the state WMU from August 1998-June 2001. Arrangements are pending. … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff TIOGA, La. (LBM) – Friends, family and members of Tioga First Baptist Church gathered April 27 to honor long-time Pastor Tim Hisaw, who is retiring April 30. Born in Jackson, Miss., and spending his grade school years in Huntsville, Ala., Hisaw’s spiritual journey began in 1972, when he accepted Christ and was baptized at Whitesburg Baptist Church.  But it was during a move to Lafayette -- shortly before he began high school – he began pursuit his calling in ministry. Through the discipleship efforts of Lafayette pastors Perry Sanders and Mike Walker and other godly men and women, Hisaw eventually felt called to ministry while a freshman at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana-Lafayette). After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from USL and later a master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Hisaw served as youth minister at Bayou View Baptist Church, Gulfport, Miss. (86-89), First Baptist Church, Mansfield (89-92), Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia (92-99), The Bayou Church, Lafayette (99-2001) and Tioga FBC on May 15, 2005. He later became pastor on Jan. 11, 2009. “During my time as pastor, the church has loved Jesus, my … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - The adage “The Lord works in mysterious ways” is definitely true for Louisiana Christian University alumna Bonita Preuett Armour. What started as a desire to remain young and healthy has become a growing ministry in Grant Parish. “It’s not about me; this is the Lord’s place,” Armour said. “This campus is a ministry for the Lord. I’m just His hands and His feet. He does it all.” Armour, a native of Grant Parish, is a 1989 pre-law and history LC graduate, attended LSU Law School, and has been a successful practicing attorney in Central Louisiana for decades. She has recently turned the former Dry Prong Junior High School into a thriving location for fitness, a community garden, her law office and a pizza restaurant—and more is in the planning. The school had been in operation until 2011 before it was auctioned off. The owner, James Crooks, listed the gymnasium for sale on Facebook in 2018. So, when Armour saw the gym at the old school campus (where she had attended as a child in 1978) up for sale, she felt like the Lord was telling her something. “I had started B22 in my garage in 2012, and we had outgrown my garage and backyard,” she said. “I called … [Read more...]