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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Louisianans prepare for National Day of Prayer

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists will gather at churches and other venues across the state, May 2, with the single purpose of calling out to God as part of the National Day of Prayer. Tom Harrison, coordinator for the Louisiana National Day of Prayer Task Force, is anticipating a mighty movement of God throughout the state on this special day. “The mission of the National Day of Payer is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Harrison, executive pastor of the Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport. “We try to unify the public for prayer for the United States of America.” This year’s National Day of Prayer theme is “Life up the word – light up the world,” based on 2 Samuel 22:29-21. “For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God — his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.” According to the National Day of Prayer websites, numerous events are planned throughout the state including: Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia, 7-8 a.m. Monroe City Hall, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. First Baptist Church, Sterlington, 11 a.m.-2 … [Read more...]

Greek professor connects with students in class and on course

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Disc golf is Greek to Justin Langford. Of course, Langford has a doctorate in Greek. Langford, dean of the School of Ministry and Performing Arts, started teaching at Louisiana Christian University in 2013. He also started playing disc golf that same year when a student introduced him to it. He fell in love with the school and the sport. “When Dr. Langford came my senior year we convinced him to come and play with us one day,” said LCU alumnus Parker Pearson. “He loved it and was hooked. He came and played many more times that year, and honestly we all thought he was the coolest guy for coming.” Pearson, who is now the director of student activities with Grace Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, is the alum whose LCU’s disc golf course Pearson Park is named for because he worked to establish the course his senior year in 2014. Pearson said it was an honor he wasn’t expecting — and it should probably be renamed the Langford-Pickard course now because both Langford and history professor Scott Pickard can beat him any day. “Out of all the professors I have had, both in my undergraduate and my master’s, none have had as great an impact on my life as Dr. … [Read more...]

McGee returns to LCU as development, alumni director

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University has welcomed back Byron McGee as director of development and alumni. McGee retired at the end of 2018 after a 35-year career at the university, having worked in the admissions office and alumni relations, and concluding his tenure as vice president for institutional advancement. McGee is also a 1979 graduate of the college. “I love the college,” said McGee, a 1979 graduate of college. “I always have. The school took me, a country boy from Oakdale, and helped me understand higher education. The progression of what the school did for me and has done for so many others, it can do for so many others.” McGee said he feels honored and humbled by the university for reaching out to him to assist during this time of transition. He added that his first order of business will be to reconnect with the community and alumni. “My hope is that I can help facilitate things during this period and help the new administration get off to a good start,” he said. Rick Brewer, who served as the university’s 9th president since February 2015, retired earlier this month. Executive Vice President David Jeffreys is currently serving as acting … [Read more...]

LCU recognizes Dean’s, President’s List recipients

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University recently announced students who earned placement on the Dean’s and President’s List for the fall 2023 semester. The students were recognized in a ceremony, April 16, in which they were thanked their parents, along with faculty and staff who supported them in their academic pursuits. “We rejoice in the academic achievements of our students,” said Acting President David Jeffreys. “And we appreciate the students who recognize their parents’ contributions to their success, as well as the gratitude they give the LCU faculty and staff.” The Dean’s/President’s List ceremony is an annual event at LCU. It includes students who have earned a minimum of 12 hours in the designated semester with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 and no grade below a “C”: Zoi Akrivaki Thessaloniki, Greece Adrian Navarro Alicante, Spain Ja’Kaylib Anderson Lafayette Kaitlyn Antilley Coushatta Payton Arcement Katy, Texas Alex Archield Deridder Micah Ardizzone Lake … [Read more...]

LCU recognizes outstanding students at Honors Convocation

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University recognized outstanding accomplishments of students in academics and athletics during its 63rd annual Honors Convocation, April 16. “What a great day to celebrate our students,” said Acting President David Jeffreys. “It was a living testimony of how Louisiana Christian University prepares graduates and transforms lives.” Student awards and recipients are listed below by department, including hometowns: Art Central Louisiana Ad Club Scholarship Award - Lena Cogghe of Temse, Belgium Grady Harper Scholarship Award - Abby Johnson of Jonesville Thilo Steinschulte Scholarship Award - Maryane Mafra of Moreira Maia, Portugal Athletics NAIA Student Athletes of the Year - Olivia Scott of Lafayette and Cy Fontenot of Alexandria Business ACBSP Student Leadership Award - Julia Keller of Metairie Outstanding Graduating Seniors in Business Administration - Brooke Ross of Oak Grove and Misty Tanner O’Banion, of Alexandria Outstanding Juniors in Business Administration - James Sanders of Trout and Elisabeth McGrath of Westlake Senior External Major Field Test, Second Highest - Caroline Lucius of Pineville Senior … [Read more...]

Beech Springs Baptist transformed through prayer, soul winning

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer QUITMAN, La. (LBM) – Shortly after Jason Womack arrived as pastor with Beech Springs Bap­tist Church, he and other members of a men’s prayer group made a “dream list” of prayer concerns and took those requests to the Lord. Fifteen months later, the church has seen God answer those prayers through personal revival, lives transformed and a rise in baptisms, including 16 since January. “There just seems to be true revival taking place in individuals and in the church at large,” Womack told the Baptist Message. “God is moving through this church and in this community just like we are praying about. “I know it’s not me,” he continued. “All I’m doing is preaching the Gospel, loving on people, sharing the Gospel. But I’m not the only one. Others are sharing the Gospel. God is moving through our church, and He is using the church to build His Kingdom.” Womack, now 51, was a member of BSBC until he was 34 years old and returned as pastor in May 2022. When he arrived, the church had baptized just a handful the previous year. He sensed the church’s hunger for growth and believed God had some­thing special in store for BSBC and the commu­nity. “When I met with the pulpit … [Read more...]

Rescue Church restores hope in Bawcomville

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WEST MONROE, La. (LBM) – Patrick Adams had been in and out of multiple state detention centers for 22 years when an encounter with Jesus changed his life. In September, Adams was released from Rich­land Parish Detention Cen­ter in Rayville after serving a conviction of simple bat­tery and three days later found freedom in Christ during a service at Rescue Church, West Monroe. “I let it go and gave it to God,” Adams told the Baptist Message. “That’s a hard thing for me to do and while I knew there was a God, I didn’t know a per­son like me could change. “But the love I felt the moment I walked into this place really grabbed my heart,” he continued. “I felt tingly all over and heard a voice saying, ‘I’ve got you son.’ At that moment I turned to Christ, and I haven’t looked back since.” Adams, who responded to a Gospel invitation from Pastor Russell Caldwell, Sept. 5, attended the ser­vice as part of his participa­tion in a recovery house on the church grounds – a ministry that includes daily small group Bible studies at 5:30 a.m., nightly meetings, a work requirement and Sunday morning services with Rescue Church. He is thankful for the men who pour into him … [Read more...]

More young men, fathers race to RA Congress

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – The recent Royal Ambassador Congress, March 22-23, saw an increase in attendance and fathers accompanying their sons (first through sixth grades) at the Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center event. The two-day conference drew 160 boys and adult leaders from eight churches and featured: Gospel presentations by “Champion Chaplain” Allen Huffman, the 2023 Southeast Super Truck Series champion; go-karting; pit row (how to change and plug a tire); a classic car show; and the Pinewood Derby and Soap Box car races. Louisiana Baptist Men’s Ministry and Disaster Relief Strategist Stan Statham believes the event reflected a renewed interest in RAs around the state. He noted the RA Congress drew 160 participants and fathers. “More churches are wanting to get back to emphasizing missions education and RAs is a great way to do that for young men who will carry on that passion for missions into their teenage and adult years,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “Events like RA Congress helps to train young boys to become godly men. I’m very encouraged to see more dads come out here and spend quality time for a couple of days with their sons. Additionally, the … [Read more...]

Cypress Baptist dedicates sports facility to Christ

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BENTON, La. (LBM) – Cypress Baptist Church recently celebrated the grand opening of a new field house that will serve as place not only for fellowship and recreation but to plant Gospel seeds. Dedicated on March 24, the 81,687-sq.-ft., named the 3:16 Field House, features two courts that can accommodate basketball, pickleball and volleyball competition; a 48-yard by 66-yard indoor turf field; and a mezzanine to hold spectators. The church also will offer seasonal leagues and camps for a variety of sports and is available for local schools to use the facility year-round, including for non-sports community events. The first event featured a 5K and 10K race, age-based egg hunts (kindergarten through fifth grade) and a sports skills competition as part of its Easter Family Day, March 30. Cypress Baptist Recreation Pastor Brian Loe believes the facility will reach beyond the Shreveport-Bossier City area. “This is bigger than just Shreveport-Bossier,” Loe told the Baptist Message. “I envision we will draw people from the Ark-La-Tex and impact those who don’t go to church but want to play basketball, flag football or another sport. “This is a wonderful facility but … [Read more...]