By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University student Keirsten Lejeune’s essay “Desire’s Destination: Death” has been accepted for presentation at the Sigma Tau Delta National Convention in New Orleans, March 30.  Lejeune, a senior English major from Leesville, examines Tennessee Williams’ work "A Streetcar Named Desire." Lejeune holds a 4.0 GPA and has been recognized for her academic achievements with the George Amos English Scholarship and the Mayme Hamlett Scholarship. She was awarded the Outstanding Apha Mu Gamma Member Award in 2025 and the English and Language Faculty Award in 2025.   She serves as the president of Sigma Tau Delta this academic year, and she is the founder of The Inklings creative writing club on campus. Additionally, Lageune previously presented research at the LSUS Regional Student Scholars Forum. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Compassion Center staff and volunteers recently witnessed Matthew 4:4 in action when 170 recipients of a food distribution, Feb. 17, were elated to receive Bibles. “We had so many testimonies of people who were happier to get a Bible than they were to get food,” Com[1]passion Center Director Matt Hancock told the Baptist Message. “Many of them just talked about how much it meant to them. We had one lady who kissed her Bible and said, ‘this is better than food,’” evoking allusions to Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” For several months, a staff member had prayed that Bibles would be donated for distribution by the Compassion Center, which is housed in a 16,000-sq.-ft. facility on the campus of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries. The Bible would be in­cluded with food, school supplies, diapers, shoes, new clothing and other life essentials the Com­passion Center provides. Those prayers were answered in early Feb­ruary by a gift from two individuals which was enough to purchase 500 Bibles. Hancock said he expected all the Bibles would be distributed in a week, and … [Read more...]

By Steve Horn ALEXANDRIA, La. - Reading the Prophet Habakkuk today helped me. And from that reading I share these thoughts Is there any hope for America? If you are like me, you are sad today. You are sad at the murder of Charlie Kirk on the heels of the murder of a young Ukranian woman, Iryna Zarutska, who was murdered in an unprovoked attack in Charlotte, North Carolina. You are sad at numerous lockdowns in schools across America today. You are sad because of the memory of 9-11-2001. If you are like me, you are not only sad, but you are also asking questions. In 1928 one of our American submarines, S4, sank off the eastern coast on a dive after routine maintenance work. Divers made contact through Morse code. After initial exchange of how many on board, what is your condition etc., the divers received the message from those on board, “Is there any hope?” Amid the circumstances, what a penetrating question! Many are still asking that question today about America. Is there any hope? We are not the first people who have asked this question of their nation or their culture? We are not the only culture who has faced a crisis of government or a crisis of morality. Habakkuk asked this question of his nation. … [Read more...]

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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...]