EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your in[1]formation three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Kade McKee is the new youth minister at Christ’s Community Church, Denham Springs. n Roy (Thumper) Miller is the new pastor at Open Door Fellowship, Coushatta. Steve Bennett is retiring on January 31 after 55 years in ministry. He has pastored churches in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and New York. He is retiring from First Baptist Church, Moss Bluff as Pastor Emeritus. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Haynesville: Revival, January 30-February 2, 6 p.m. nightly. Evangelist: Bill Britt. Worship: Mark Lanier. Pastor: Jeff Tinsley. First Baptist Church, Lafayette: Ignite 22, February 6-9, Sunday, 9:30 & 11 a.m., 6 p.m., College night, 7 p.m.; Monday: 6 p.m., Student night; Revival service, 7 p.m.; Tuesday 6 p.m., Family night, 7 p.m., Revival service; Wednesday, 6 p.m., steak night, 7 p.m., Revival … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WEST MONROE, La. (LBM) – Ouachita Baptist Church recently celebrated the retirement of $735,000 in debt on their worship center and fellowship hall. Members rejoiced during a special note-burning service, Jan. 9, especially noting God’s faithfulness to them during the six-year journey. “I’m just so proud of my church and what God did through them,” Pastor Mike Holloway told the Baptist Message. “The financial burden is lifted, and the future is bright. We are not the church we were five years ago, but we aren’t the church we are going to be five years from now.” When Holloway arrived as pastor in January 2016, the church was struggling to pay the monthly note. A year later, Holloway presented “2020 Vision,” a plan to retire the remaining debt of $500,000 within four years. COVID caused a one-year delay in reaching the goal, but the note was paid in full, Jan. 9. Ray Anding, a member of the church since its founding 37 years ago, was honored to be one of the two members who paid off the remaining $30,000 prior to the note-burning service. “Everybody was clap[1]ping; we were on cloud nine,” Anding said. “We remembered how God has blessed our church. Prayer and reaching … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Miranda Underwood walked into the CENLA Pregnancy Center scared and in denial that she was pregnant. But she walked out with hope and a life-giving mindset. “The first day I found out I was pregnant, abortion crossed my mind, but I knew it was never the right thing to do,” Underwood told the Baptist Message. “When I walked into the CENLA Pregnancy Center, I was at the darkest moment in my life. But when I left, I knew it would be the greatest moment and everything would be okay.” DISCOVERING HOPE Underwood was told by others that she would struggle to succeed as a single mother. Unsure where to turn, she reached out to family members, who referred her to the CENLA Pregnancy Center. She said the February 2020 visit changed her life. The staff encouraged her and gave her a journal entitled “Hope.” Importantly, they shared a photo of baby Phaelyn that was taken by ultrasound; and she realized at that moment everything would be okay. “It was a sign from God that this was meant to be,” she said. “Everything happens for a reason. “I appreciate what each lady has done, from the smiles to being very sweet to being there for me in my most … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke PINEVILLE, La. (LC news) – Louisiana Christian University has received full reaffirmation of accreditation with no findings of noncompliance in its regular 10-year review. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, LCU’s accrediting body, officially notified the university in December of the reaffirmation with no additional report necessary. The next reaffirmation will be in 2031. “Reaffirmation of a university’s accreditation by its regional accreditation entity is emblematic of a Board, administration and faculty dedicated to a culture of strategic planning and assessment,” LCU President Rick Brewer said. “Such is clearly the case at Louisiana Christian University. It has been my experience working at SACSCOC-accredited institutions for over 35 years that the reaffirmation process strengthens and benefits the institution’s key constituents in terms of quality and academic excellence. I am especially grateful for the diligent efforts of our faculty particularly our Provost and (Vice President for Academic Affairs) Dr. Cheryl Clark for committing time and energy to ensuring the reaffirmation process was a success for the University family.“ All institutions accredited … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke PINEVILLE, LA (LC news) – Louisiana Christian University President Rich Brew has announced the addition of David Jeffreys as the new executive vice president and chief operations officer for the school. Jeffreys has been serving as associate pastor at Highland Baptist Church in New Iberia and head of Highland Baptist Christian School since 2002. He recently completed a six-year term on the LCU Board of Trustees which included serving at chairman of the board in 2020. “I am personally excited about David and Stephanie joining our team at LCU and know he will be of extreme help to me with resource development, facilities management, denominational relations, strategic planning and special projects,” said Brewer. Jeffreys and his wife, Stephanie, met while students at LCU. He is a 1992 graduate in business administration, who went on the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned a master’s degree and a doctoral in Christian Education. "I never would have imagined 34 years ago as an incoming freshman to Louisiana College that I would one day be called to serve as Louisiana Christian University’s Executive Vice President,” Jeffreys said. “My wife Stephanie and I are excited about this … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message Jack West, pastor of Holloway Baptist Church in Deville, will be honored on his retirement on Jan. 23. The church, where West has pastored for the past 37 years, will have Sunday School at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. followed by a meal after worship. A reception for the Jack and Becky West will be held at 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend this special occasion as it honors him and his wife Becky. After graduating from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, he pastored First Baptist Church in Peterman, Alabama. In January of 1985, he came to Holloway where he has served ever since. … [Read more...]

By Lexi Rachal, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, La. (Wildcats Media) – Louisiana Christian University has added another dining option to the food court at the Hixson Student Center food. President Rick Brewer, who was on hand, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open a new Pizza Hut on Jan. 11, said the restaurant was added after the student body, in the spring 2021 semester, indicated they most wanted pizza and wings as new food court offerings. “It was really in response to students,” Brewer said. “That’s why we did it.” Students such as Jai Melancon waited in line up to 30 minutes before the ribbon cutting to receive one of the 100 free t-shirts handed out by the school to mark the occasion. “I love that our school’s investing back into the student body,” Melancon said. Pizza Hut joins Starbucks, Subway and Wildcat Grill as dining options available to students. Brewer said he is hopeful LCU will add even more food options in the future. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Pastoral Leadership Director Ray Swift announced that resources are available for ministers who need someone to lean on. Swift said the Convention’s ‘Shepherd’s Rest’ ministry provides support for a pastor to take a brief sabbatical (up to four Sundays) with the assurance that the church where he serves will have pastoral oversight. This ministry is provided at no cost to the pastor or congregation. “Pastors should know they don’t have to face it alone,” Swift told the Baptist Message. “The reality is every pastor, every church, is facing similar distractions, difficulties and problems. The best resource we have is to reach out to one another and speak to another pastor and engage in guidance from the LBC. Most of all we have God. His promise is He is going to build the church and no pandemic or hurricane can stop that.” Swift also shared that the Pastoral Leadership team is available to help congregations seeking a permanent pastor – by providing training for search committees, something he said should be helpful at this time when 257 of 1,611 congregations are without pastors. For more information about the ‘Shepherd’s Rest’ … [Read more...]