By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – With the raging Red River not far behind where he was standing, property owner Ricky Woodard surveyed the work a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief team in his Shreveport neighborhood was doing with amazement. Woodard, whose property is less than 100 yards from the Red River, estimates work done by the mud-out team from Zoar Baptist Church saved him nearly a month’s worth of clean-up. “They’re like a bunch of ants coming together and getting things done almost instantly,” Woodard said, with his two grandchildren standing nearby. “I’m so appreciative.” The team worked all day, removing mud and debris inside homes in the neighborhood heavily damaged by the river’s recent floodwaters. Loren Warren, a member of the team from Zoar Baptist Church, said that despite the temperatures that reached the upper 90s, the humidity was a small inconvenience compared to the blessings the team received. “It feels wonderful to be the hands and feet of Christ and help those in need,” Warren said. “I pray that when we are working that the people see Jesus.” Through June 24, teams completed 13 jobs and gave 32 gospel presentations, which resulted in four people accepting Christ … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy & Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writers ALEXANDRIA – By relying on God’s providence through the Cooperative Program, Louisiana Baptist entities and charitable organizations are not expected to feel the impact of an Obama Administration executive order like other faith-based groups in the United States. President Barack Obama’s signing of executive order 13671 on July 21, 2014 would force faith-based organizations and charities receiving federal funding or grants to hire LGBT applicants or lose their funding. “God has given the church, not the government, the task of caring for people in need,” said Perry Hancock, president and CEO of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. “Therefore, God’s people should be the source for funding His work.” Hancock emphasized the Children’s Home does not accept any type of federal funding, instead relying on gifts from the Cooperative Program and private donors for its funding. “We should be cautious of entering into agreements which limit our sharing of the gospel,” said Hancock. “I come from an evangelical/Southern Baptist faith tradition which emphasizes sharing a verbal witness. We do not want to be in a position where we limit our ability to share the good … [Read more...]

by Norm Miller, Special to Baptist Message PINEVILLE (LCNews)-- The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) reaffirmed on June 6 the accreditation of Louisiana College’s Division of Business. “Achieving ACBSP reaffirmation is a rigorous process,” said Dr. Cheryl Clark, LC’s interim vice president for academic affairs. “Each accreditation standard assesses a college’s ability to perform in critical areas, such as teaching, research, curricula development, and student learning.” “This reaffirmation of accreditation for our Division of Business is a credit to our exceptional faculty who clearly and compellingly teach with a commitment to quality,” she said. “Every one of our professors cares deeply about the college and about making sure that students have a tremendous experience during their years at LC.” First accredited in 1995, LC’s Division of Business is one of the oldest members of ACBSP. “ACBSP’s reaffirmation of accreditation confirms that Louisiana College's business program meets the standards of excellence in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, student and stakeholder focus, measurement and analysis of student learning and performance, faculty and staff focus, and education … [Read more...]

By First Baptist Chalmette, Special to the Message CHALMETTE - Something’s brewing in Chalmette and it’s not your mamma’s coffee!  Global Café, a coffee house located inside First Baptist Church, Chalmette, will host “Fourth Fridays” each fourth Friday of the month. The Grand Opening is on June 26, from 4 – 11 p.m. “Live music from local Christian musicians will be playing from 7-9 p.m.,” shared Tiffany Thomas, Fourth Friday Ministry Coordinator. “Fourth Friday is a great way to unwind,” she added, “Coffee, beignets, music, fellowship with good friends and neighbors.  It doesn’t get any better than this!” In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina when architectural designs were developed for the new First Baptist building John Dee Jeffries, long-term pastor of First Baptist Church incorporated the coffee house concept into the final plans. “Global Café has many functions,” related Jeffries, “with one of its primary purposes being that of a coffee house.  We’re delighted to have Tiffany develop this vision and bring the Fourth Friday concept into fruition.” The theme and motif of Global Cafe is global.  Large scale canvas portraits of people from various nations grace the walls.  A huge map of the world plus … [Read more...]