“God’s timing is perfect timing,” said Jamie Wilson, Miss Louisiana 2006 and a competitor this past January for the Miss America title. “I think everything always works the way it’s supposed to.”         MINDEN – “God’s timing is perfect timing,” said Jamie Wilson, Miss Louisiana 2006 and a competitor this past January for the Miss America title. “I think everything always works the way it’s supposed to.”       Wilson, 23, first became involved with pageants when she decided that she wanted to represent her home town and become Miss Minden.       “I initially thought it would be something fun to do, but I’ve become ever more aware of how influential this position can be and how I can use it to encourage others,” she said, emphasizing that she always looks for God’s guidance.       After becoming Miss Minden, Wilson shifted her sights toward the Miss America crown, which required winning the state title first. That goal took five years to accomplish.       At first struggling to break into the top ten, then the top five, then winning first runner up, Wilson was finally crowned Miss Louisiana … [Read more...]

Plans for a marching band at Louisiana College are well under way. PINEVILLE – Plans for a marching band at LouisianaCollege are well under way.       Despite all the excitement about it, not many people are aware that the band is a reinstatement, or that it was once an established extracurricular organization. But since LC has not had a marching band for almost 50 years, it is probably accurate to call it an “inaugural” band.       Joe Rivet, former trumpet player in the 1952 marching band and an LC alum, recalls the group had about 35 members and included boosters.  Band members wore blue and orange uniforms. The new band will include a color guard and a spirit line.       Andrew Hunter is to arrive June 1 at LC to organize the new band. Hunter at the present time is directing the pep band that he organized at La GrangeCollege in La Grange, Ga., a United Methodist school said to be the one of the oldest women’s schools in the nation. It became a co-ed institution in 1953.       Forming a band at LC will be “a great opportunity which will develop a more comprehensive instrumental music program,” Hunter … [Read more...]

Many legislators have attempted to, and partially succeeded in, banning prayer in public schools. However, in one Louisiana city, students at Alexandria Senior High are engaging in their right to pray. 7:14 prayertime takes place beside high-traffic parking-lot-to-classrooms corridor.       Many legislators have attempted to, and partially succeeded in, banning prayer in public schools.  However, in one Louisiana city, students at Alexandria Senior High are engaging in their right to pray.  Led by the founder of Orange Ministries, Greg Ziecker, about 15 students meet to pray every Monday and Friday morning.       The group, labeled 7:14 Prayer Circle, have been meeting since August.  “It all started as an attempt to get involved,” said Ziecker, a member at Calvary Alexandria. “Soon we plan on expanding past our school into other local junior high and high schools. We’ve found that more people are willing to pray in a group if they are given the opportunity.”       7:14 Circle is not limited to any denomination or church.  “If you want to take a stand for God, you’re welcome to pray with us,” Ziecker said. “It’s a simple idea for simple … [Read more...]

The Louisiana College Teacher Education Department recently was subject to NCATE evaluation. PINEVILLE – The Louisiana College Teacher Education Department recently was subject to NCATE evaluation.       NCATE, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, offers colleges a chance to receive a nationally-recognized stamp of approval. In considering LouisianaCollege for NCATE accreditation, a team of 10 representatives visited the LC campus Feb. 24-28 and assessed the Education Department in a number of ways: The team conducted interviews with faculty and students, as well as observed classes and student teachers in their school settings.       One of NCATE’s chief interests was the department’s conceptual framework, a 107-page document that outlines the department’s  philosophy concerning the future educators it produces, LC administrators said.       The conceptual framework of the department focuses on three aspects: Christian Service, Mastery of Subject Matter, and the Attributes of a Practitioner Teacher. The framework states that “the goal of the Teacher Education Department is to train teacher candidates to become Dynamic … [Read more...]

GOLDONNA – A Ladies Night Out is planned for Friday, March 16 at Goldonna Baptist. Registration starts at 5:30 p.m.       SLIDELL – Single moms and senior adults can get a free oil change and fluid checks starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at Grace Memorial Baptist, where Bob Heustess is pastor. “Please register for this by March 15 so the proper oil filter can be purchased for you,” leaders say.       Youth at Grace Memorial are planning a Homeless Night for Friday, March 30. Teens are on the lookout now for their cardboard box homes for the night.       NEW ORLEANS – A youth mission team from North Richland Hills Baptist in Texas is spending spring break in the Bywater area of New Orleans, participating in an evangelistic thrust led by Grace Baptist, where Bill Rogers is outgoing pastor and Charlie Dale, associate pastor.       Monday through Thursday, March 12-15, the youth are to be painting the inside of DouglasHigh School, across the street from the church.       On Wednesday, March 14, Grace plans to host a block party with live band, food and “some kid stuff,” Dale wrote in an … [Read more...]

Staff changes       n      Bill Rogers, pastor, Grace Baptist, New Orleans, resigned effective April 1. Charlie Dale, associate for the last two  years, is expected to be called soon as pastor.       n      Michael Sesvold, new youth minister at Springhill Baptist, Ringgold, assisted by his soon-to-be-wife, Ashley Strother. Both from BelieversBibleChurch in Pitkin.       n      Bryan Masters has resigned as youth minister at Hebron Baptist, Denham Springs. Joe Alain is pastor.       n      Lonnie Cook, new youth minister at Hebron Baptist, Denham Springs. Joe Alain is pastor.       n      Donald Collins is new music minister at Southside Baptist, Denham Springs. Bruce McKenzie is pastor.       n      Frank Valenzano resigned as minister of music at Walker Baptist, Walker, to become pastor of One Life Baptist, a mission of Walker Baptist.       Seeking staff       n      Westside Baptist, Natchitoches, is accepting resumes for full-time minister of youth and college. Please mail to 6834 Hwy 1, Bypass, Natchitoches LA 71457 ATTN: … [Read more...]

Two leading seminary educators called on Southern Baptist churches to emulate principles emphasized by 19th- and 16th-century believers, whom they said focused careful attention on ordinances, courageous convictions and church discipline.         Part 2 in a series of 4   JACKSON, Tenn. (BP) – Two leading seminary educators called on Southern Baptist churches to emulate principles emphasized by 19th- and 16th-century believers, whom they said focused careful attention on ordinances, courageous convictions and church discipline.       The two seminary leaders, Russell D. Moore and Paige Patterson, were among the featured speakers during the Feb. 15-17 Baptist Identity Conference II at UnionUniversity in Jackson, Tenn.       Moore, senior vice president for academic administration and dean of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary’s school of theology, recalled the life of Thomas T. Eaton, a key Baptist voice in debates and controversies of the late 19th century.       Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, presented examples from the experiences and historic beliefs of … [Read more...]

Missionary work has been part of Geoff Hammond’s life from his earliest days. He was born on the mission field to British parents who were serving in Nigeria. His father was born in China to missionary parents.     ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – Missionary work has been part of Geoff Hammond’s life from his earliest days. He was born on the mission field to British parents who were serving in Nigeria. His father was born in China to missionary parents.       “Among my earliest memories are the times I accompanied my dad, traveling from village to village in Africa and listening to him preach the Gospel,” the 49-year-old Hammond said.       Later, he and wife Debbie served seven years with the International Mission Board as missionaries in Brazil. Upon returning to the United States in 1997, Hammond became a director of missions in Arkansas for two years before responding to a call from Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia to be a church planting strategist. He was appointed as a missionary with the North American Mission Board in the same year and has been the SBCV’s senior associate director since 2002.       “I’m a missiologist at … [Read more...]

Alister McGrath and Daniel Dennett both advocate freedom of conscience. However, the two take very different paths with this freedom – McGrath embraces Christianity and Dennett embraces atheistic Darwinian naturalism.         Alister McGrath and Daniel Dennett debate the future of atheism       March 1, 2007     NEW ORLEANS -- Alister McGrath and Daniel Dennett both advocate freedom of conscience. However, the two take very different paths with this freedom – McGrath embraces Christianity and Dennett embraces atheistic Darwinian naturalism.     McGrath, Oxford professor and prolific Christian author, and Dennett, philosopher and professor atTuftsUniversity, spoke on “The Future of Atheism” at the Greer-Heard Point-Counterpoint Forum at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Feb. 23-24. The forum, now in its third year, is designed to help students and ministers learn to think critically about issues in secular society.       “Truth is objective and real, anyone who is searching for truth we believe will ultimately end up at the feet of Jesus Christ,” NOBTS President Chuck Kelley said about the event. “[The … [Read more...]

Honest dialogue, rather than heated debate, characterized day two of the Greer-Heard Point-Counterpoint Forum at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Feb. 23-24. Day two features honest dialogue between theists and skeptics   March 1, 2007   By Michael McCormack   NEW ORLEANS -- Honest dialogue, rather than heated debate, characterized day two of the Greer-Heard Point-Counterpoint Forum at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Feb. 23-24.   Scholars Keith Parsons, William Lane Craig, Evan Fales and Hugh McCann continued the ongoing discussion topic of “The Future of Atheism.”   Like in Greer-Heard Forums from the past, both scholars from the Friday night dialogue – evangelical theologian Alister McGrath and atheist scholar Daniel Dennett – responded to each person’s lecture.   Parsons and Fales, who both represented an atheist point-of-view, offered some of the most important and difficult questions of the day. Parsons, professor of philosophy at the University of Houston at ClearLake, started the Saturday sessions with his paper titled “Atheism: Twilight or Dawn.”   Parsons responded to the book by McGrath titled The Twilight of Atheism, in … [Read more...]