Submitted by philip on Fri, 12/14/2012 - 14:31 Mary (Hannah Vermaelen) For the fifth straight year, Louisiana College students, faculty and staff joined together for a production of Follow the Star, the portrayal of the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. Led by members of the Louisiana College debate team, attendees were taken in small groups to the different stages leading up to the birth of baby Jesus in the manger. Then, attendees had the opportunity to watch a musical performance in the Martin Performing Arts Center with “Christmas on the Hill.” At left:  An angel appears to Mary and Joseph to announce the Son of God would be born to them. Above, and with a bit of dramatic license, the Magi bring gifts for the Christ child to the manger where the shepherds and a heavenly angel   watch over the scene. Right: The entrance to the LC campus, especially Alexander Hall, was adorned in lights. Select rating Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5 … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 12/14/2012 - 14:32 Select rating Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5 … [Read more...]

By Staff, World News Magazine (WNS) – Male and female students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will be able to live together in on-campus dorms starting next fall. The school’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the option for gender-neutral housing on Nov. 15, after a student-led lobbying effort. Under the new housing plan, students must choose roommates of the same sex but can share suites or on-campus apartments with students of the opposite sex. The school’s chancellor, Holden Thorp, vetoed the same proposal in February, saying university stakeholders were not convinced the housing option was necessary. In September, UNC junior Kevin Blaybren headed a rejuvenated campaign to sway Thorp and the Board in favor of the proposal. The campaign had the support of campus groups like Young Democrats, the Black Student Movement, the LGBTQ Center and the provost’s committee for LGBTQ life. The campaign used a housing program at UNC-Greensboro that includes coed bathrooms as an example of success for gender-neutral housing. The nationwide push for gender-neutral housing picked up speed in 2010 and now includes 99 public and private colleges, according to the LBGTQ Center at UNC. Schools that have some form of … [Read more...]

She died on board a ship 100 years ago Christmas Eve – sick, exhausted, brokenhearted over leaving her beloved Chinese friends in their time of suffering. It was a bittersweet end to a long and fruitful life. But it wasn’t the end of Lottie Moon’s story. What is it about this woman that has inspired so many Southern Baptists, for so many years, to give their own lives and treasure to God’s mission? Born into privilege on a pre-Civil War plantation in Virginia, rambunctious young Lottie received the best education money could buy. But the difference between the fine words she heard from adults and the realities of life troubled her. A young, unbelieving Lottie told classmates her middle initial, D., stood for “Devil.” She pulled pranks, missed chapel and scoffed at religion. She was a brilliant scholar, however, and became one of the most educated women of her era. But knowledge alone couldn’t satisfy her soul. She began a search for truth. Lottie’s spiritual struggle came to a dramatic climax one night, sealing her commitment to serve God and others. She witnessed the ravages of Civil War, which destroyed the old society she had known. Matured by the experience, but just as independent as ever, she boldly joined her … [Read more...]

Church Events Lakeside Baptist Pineville: “Super Gift From Heaven” at 6 p.m. Dec. 22 and 10:45 a.m. Dec. 23. December 23 Judson Baptist Walker: “The Hope of Christmas” by Celebration Choir at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 23. Live Oak Baptist in Denham Springs: Christmas musical, 10:30 a.m., Dec. 23. Rose Park Baptist in Shreveport: Choir Christmas program, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 23. Westside Emmanuel Baptist Bogalusa: Candlelight service 6 p.m. Dec. 23. Satsuma Baptist in Livingston:  “Silent Night! Holy Night!” at 6 p.m. Dec. 23. Old Zion Hill Baptist in Independence: Candlelight Communion at 6 p.m. Dec. 23. First Abbeville: Christmas Cantata, 5 p.m. Dec. 23. First Baptist Chataignier: “Silent Night. Holy Night,” Musical, 10 a.m., Dec. 23. First Baptist Opelousas: “Come See the Lamb”, Drama and Musical, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Dec. 23. First Baptist Haynesville: Christmas Eve service, 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23. First Broussard: Old Fashioned Christmas Sing-along and Storytelling, 9:30 a.m., Dec. 23. Pilgrim Rest Eunice: Christmas Cantata, 10:30 a.m., Dec. 23. Teche Baptist, Breaux Bridge: Christmas Cantata, 10:30 a.m., Dec. 23. Bethel Baptist Colfax: Children and Youth Christmas Program, 6 p.m. Dec. 23. Christmas … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director To say December is a busy month for Southern Baptist churches around the state is an understatement. Fireworks displays, live nativities, singing Christmas trees, candlelight services and musicals are a few of the long-standing traditions of Louisiana Baptist congregations. And behind each note sung and each Christmas tree branch decorated are months of planning by organizers. “Those who volunteer believe they’re doing something of lasting value and they’re willing to get involved,” said Alan Shoumaker, minister of music and worship at Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. “It’s an opportunity for the church members to connect and invite their friends. They feel like they’ve invested in something that’s beyond themselves.” For 16 years Jefferson Baptist has presented what Shoumaker said is known as a Baton Rouge Christmas tradition – the Twin Living Christmas Trees. As soon as the last performance ends, leadership starts brainstorming for next year’s event, though preparations are in full gear by August. About 350 people are involved in the production, including an adult and children’s choir, cast, greeters and parking crew. Shoumaker said such preparation is needed to … [Read more...]

Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Fri, 12/28/2012 - 15:30 A Disaster Relief chainsaw team helps members of Forest Baptist Church cut and dispose of a 150-year-old tree at the church. The damage was caused by a storm that passed through many areas of the state on Christmas Day. Photo courtesy of James Avance, pastor of Forest Baptist Church. A Disaster Relief chainsaw team helps members of Forest Baptist Church cut and dispose of a 150-year-old tree at the church. The damage was caused by a storm that passed through many areas of the state on Christmas Day. Photo courtesy of James Avance, pastor of Forest Baptist Church. Select rating Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5 Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5 … [Read more...]