By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – During its May 6 meeting, the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board received updates on Cooperative Program giving and the ongoing work of the four convention entities. BUDGET REPORT Board members learned that gifts through the Cooperative Program from January to March totaled $232,035.00 more than budgeted for 2025, so far. However, from January to March, churches have given $316,236.74 less through CP this year than the same timeframe as last year. ENTITY REPORTS LCU Newly elected Louisiana Christian University President Mark Johnson emphasized the need for the school to reflect a Kingdom mindset. Johnson, who was named the school’s 10th president on Feb. 25 and officially assumes the position June 1, said LCU will modify its strategy from a national effort to a regional outreach as they aim to increase student enrollment. “We want to win Louisiana,” he said. “The churches that launched Louisiana Christian University in 1906 deserve an institution that prioritizes transformation from the inside out. Before we reach the world, we must first reach our own students. Our calling is to raise up a generation rooted in faith and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. – Newly elected Louisiana Christian University President Mark Johnson challenged the school’s Class of 2025 graduates to be strong in the Lord. “You are at a finish line, and you’re headed to a new starting line, and the journeys will come,” Johnson said during the 170th commencement inside Guinn Auditorium, May 10. “There will be obstacles and challenges that you’re going to have to face, and you’re going to have to lean on the Lord to get you through some of those difficult moments. “Celebrate today,” said Johnson, who assumes the presidency June 1. “Families, celebrate today. But as we know, in this life you will have tribulations. The Bible says to be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” The school conferred 219 degrees (154 undergraduate and 65 graduate) during two separate but identical ceremonies to accommodate the new alums and their guests, who received messages from several members of the Class of 2025. In her speech, Kamryn West, a biological science and chemistry major, told the crowd that LCU taught her how to depend on God. “LCU may be a small university, but it feels like a family,” she said. “We stood together in good times and … [Read more...]

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University will offer high school students information about what opportunities await them at its annual Spring Preview Day on Saturday, Feb. 15. All high school students in public, private and home school are encouraged to preregister to attend the event on campus from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration the day of the event will be at 8:30 a.m. Students and their parents will meet with faculty and current students and learn about academic programs, athletics and extracurricular activities. Attendees will also hear from current students about their experiences in major fields of study and what it’s really like to be a Wildcat. Interested students should sign up at the Preview Day registration form. Students who attend Preview Day will receive free lunch and LCU merchandise. All students who pre-register for Preview Day will have the $25 application fee waived. … [Read more...]

On Dec. 7 (7 a.m.-8 p.m.) there will be a Fall General Election that includes four Constitutional Amendments.    Early voting will be held Nov. 22-30 (8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.) (except Nov. 28-29 when polls will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving and Acadian Day).    Amendment 1 “Do you support an amendment to allow the supreme court to sanction a judge upon an investigation by the judiciary commission, and provide that the recommended sanction shall be instituted by the judiciary commission or by a majority of the supreme court, and to provide for the appointment of five members of the judiciary commission?” Amendment 2 “Do you support an amendment to require that the legislature wait for at least forty-eight hours prior to concurring in a conference committee report or amendments to a bill appropriating money?” Amendment 3 “Do you support an amendment to allow the legislature to extend a regular session in increments of two days up to a maximum of six days if necessary to pass a bill appropriating money?” Amendment 4 “Do you support an amendment to eliminate mandatory tax sales for nonpayment of property taxes and require the legislature to provide for such procedures by law; to limit the amount of penalty and interest … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - While Louisiana Christian University welcomed many international students who traveled thousands of miles to attend college this semester, few traveled as far as new mathematics faculty member Ashar Ghulam. Ghulam moved this summer from Lahore, Pakistan - his hometown of more than 13 million residents, of whom are more than 96 percent Muslim - to live in Pineville, a town of 15,000, and work at a Christian university. To say his life has changed seems to be more than just a bit of an understatement. However, Louisiana itself was not new to him or his family. Ghulam, who was raised in a Christian family, studied at Forman Christian College University in Lahore when it was run by government. Previously this university was run by Presbyterian missionaries. He earned his master’s from the University of the Punjab, also in Pakistan. He spent a few years teaching mathematics in high schools. Then in 2003, martial law was declared and the Army took over. The government had previously taken over control of Forman Christian College University and eliminated the role of the Christian missionaries. “The head of the Army, he was a former student, and he helped the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONTEGUT, La. (LBM) – Hurricane Ida washed ashore the Ponte-au-Chien trial community, Aug. 29, 2021, destroying most homes and leaving the residents discouraged and hopeless. But by early 2023, despair gave way to optimism when Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams and other groups came to help the residents rebuild. Since March 2023, teams have restored two houses in the community, where 78 of the 92 homes were heavily damaged by the Category 4 storm (maximum sustained winds of 150 mph). “We have just helped a lot of people and that has injected some hope into the community that felt hope was gone,” Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Associate Mark Morelock told the Baptist Message. “There still is hopelessness in the area but some people are starting to realize that they do have a future. They are seeing a presence of a church that is growing again and projects that are being completed; and they have begun to realize that they shouldn’t give up.” Marvin and Debbie Savoie, former International Mission Board Missionaries who now are members of First Baptist Church, Lafayette, have overseen the rebuild project. Marvin Savoie said the cooperation among so many groups has … [Read more...]