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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

LCU athletes score overall 3.04 GPA for academic year

By LCU Sports Information PINEVILLE, La. (LCU Sports Information) – Louisiana Christian University’s varsity student-athletes excelled in the classroom during the 2022-23 academic year, as the school announced the cumulative GPA for student-athletes was 3.04 for the year. “The cumulative GPA of 3.04 of is tremendous,” LCU President Rick Brewer said. “The goal of every college athletic program is a 3.0. LCU returned its athletics program to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in 2021 and resumed granting athletic scholarships after two decades in the NCAA’s Division III, which does not permit grant-in-aid based solely on athletic performance. That change did not hinder the academic excellence of Wildcat student-athletes, Brewer said. “We moved to the NAIA and didn’t lose our stride in the classroom,” Dr. Brewer said. “We should never underestimate the value athletics brings to LCU. This also amplifies our vision to add more athletic programs going forward.” LCU women’s soccer team reported the highest cumulative GPA of any team with a 3.52 GPA, while the men’s golf team’s cumulative GPA of 3.47 was the highest of the five men’s teams. All nine varsity teams reported a cumulative GPA of 2.64 or … [Read more...]

Dew reminds graduates there is ‘gain in loss, life in death’

By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS (NOBTS communications) – Jamie Dew, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College, shared with the 254 graduate candidates and their families gathered for graduation May 12 a question that keeps him up at night. Dew said graduation is a celebration but it is also one final moment for him as president to instruct and encourage them. He then cautioned graduates not to allow the things of the world to “consume” them and keep them from fulfilling God’s call on their lives. “I fear, I tremble, I stay awake sometimes at night fearing that the brand of Christianity and the form it has taken in our lives looks less and less like the New Testament descriptions of what Jesus had to say about being a follower … I simply must press on you one more time to remember who you are and what God has called you to do,” Dew said. Drawing from Matthew 16: 13-26, Dew explained that Matthew uses Peter’s confession in verse 16 to make clear who Jesus is and in verses 17-19 turns to promises of blessings for believers. Dew’s fear, he explained, is that “this is where our Christianity stops.” Dew urged listeners to see the “pivot” the gospel writer makes in verse … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists to vote on women pastors at annual meeting

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – The Southern Baptist Convention Credentials Committee reported May 16 that two churches who were disfellowshipped in February for ordaining women pastors plan to appeal the decisions during the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting, which is going to be hosted in New Orleans, June 13-14. This means messengers will vote to decide whether women pastors, now excluded by the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, will be allowed to serve in member congregations. Those two congregations are Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California, and Fern Creek Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky. Meanwhile, Freedom Church, Vero Beach, Florida, intends to appeal its ouster for alleged lack of cooperation in resolving concerns regarding a sexual abuse allegation. The Credentials Committee said it would set aside “a time for miscellaneous business during the afternoon session on Tuesday, June 13, for the consideration of the appeals received.” A representative of each church will be allowed to speak, and a member of the Credentials Committee or Executive Committee will speak. Afterward, messengers will be asked to vote on the question, “Shall the decision of the Credentials Committee and … [Read more...]

SBC CP rises in April, trends down for FY 23

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) -- The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee released the April 2023 financial report, May 8, showing that gifts to SBC causes through the Cooperative Program rose 1.92 percent while designated giving for the month dropped 12.64 percent compared to April 2022. Meanwhile, year-to-date figures showed both funding channels in decline. From October 2022 through April 2023, CP contributions were down 6.41 percent overall compared to the same timeframe for the last fiscal year. Likewise, designated giving was down 4.94 percent year-to-date for the same months. Both the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering were negatively affected. The national report showed April giving to SBC causes by Louisiana Baptists rose 8.78 percent for CP and dropped 8.48 percent for special offerings. However, the year-to-date data showed Louisiana Baptist giving through the CP and to designated offerings trended higher for both funding channels, 1.62 percent and 9.18 percent, respectively. … [Read more...]

LCU grads urged to impact world through Christ

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Frank Ashley, executive associate dean of Texas A&M Bush School of Government and Public Service, told the Louisiana Christian University Class of 2023 graduates to change the world for Christ. Speaking during the college’s 168th Commencement May 6 at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, Ashley said anything is possible for those who trust in God. “Earning this degree is only the beginning,” he said. “You have got to keep on learning. “Go out there and make an impact,” he continued. “An impact changes lives.” The school conferred 259 degrees (182 undergraduate and 77 graduate) during the ceremony. LCU President Rick Brewer praised the students for their perseverance through a tornado, two hurricanes, an ice storm and the pandemic. “I think you all deserve an A in persistence and tenacity,” he said. “We are proud of you. “We are a Great Commandment and a Great Commission university where we strive to teach our students to love God with heart, soul, mind and strength,” he continued. “Behind our students are tremendous faculty who have mentored, who have nurtured, who have poured into your lives, and to help flesh out this … [Read more...]

LCU approved for new nursing degree programs

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana State Board of Nursing has approved a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Accelerated Bachelor of Science for Louisiana Christian University. Approved during the board’s April 13 meeting, the new program that will begin in January 2024 aligns with the Next Generation National Council Licensure Examination to adapt to the evolving demands of the healthcare system. The move also will allow for better assessment of students' clinical judgment skills and will be offered in a nontraditional method based on new higher education trends. “The examination that was utilized in the past, while it was effective and good, it didn’t accurately measure what nursing are actually doing,” said Dean of Nursing Tomekia Luckett. “The next generation test is what has led to the transitions. It’s to prepare them for the nursing care they do now. It’s more focused on their ability to make decisions and clinical judgments. Basically, they are thing is standing between life and death for our patients. We are hoping to see our nursing students better prepared to make those clinical judgments so that in a crisis situation they know exactly what to do, they know exactly what needs to … [Read more...]

LBC EB updated on CP, entities

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – During a May 2 meeting, the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board received updates on Cooperative Program giving and the ongoing work of the four convention entities. BUDGET REPORT Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told board members that gifts through the Cooperative Program from January to March totaled $495.112.54 more than budgeted for 2023, so far. He added that churches, from January to March, have given $61,072.50 less through CP this year than the same timeframe as last year. ENTITY REPORTS Louisiana Christian University President Rick Brewer shared that the school has migrated its Master of Arts in Teaching, Master in Education, Master in Social Work and Master in Business Administration programs to 100 percent online offerings along with three undergraduate programs: Criminal Justice, Business and Applied Science. These programs will now be available online nationally and internationally. Additionally, the university plans to offer a certificate in multimedia ministry, a restructured worship arts and production degree and the Louisiana Christian Scholars Academy that will allow high school students to earn up to … [Read more...]

Baptist Community Ministries to highlight faith-based impact of National Nurses Week

By Baptist Message staff NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – The live-saving ministry of nurses through church ministries will be highlighted during National Nurses Week, May 6-12. Baptist Community Ministries is among the organizations that will recognize the contributions of all nurses, including those in the faith community as part of their congregational wellness division. Among the events scheduled is BCM’s annual symposium, May 20. All nurses will be invited to attend the free event (though seating is limited) and will receive six continuing nursing professional development credits. Vendors and massage therapists will be on hand at the event. “We believe and know that the church is the healing place,” BCM Vice President of Congregational Wellness Frances Hawkins told the Baptist Message. “We are focusing in on what we can do to make sure this healing occurs. Our ability to be vessels in the community to focus on spiritual, emotional and physical needs of people in the community helps that healing occur .” BCM has trained nearly 250 nurses and has 85 active nurse-led church ministries. These nurses not only may work a full-time job, but they volunteer 20 hours of their time each month to ministry in one or more of 138 churches … [Read more...]

LBC Executive Board highlights evangelism, Louisiana Send Network

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn, on the heels of a pair of evangelistic events preceding the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans, encouraged Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board members during their May 2 meeting to create a culture of evangelism. Additionally, board members approved Send Network Louisiana, a church planting partnership with the North American Mission Board. CULTURE OF EVANGELISM Horn said for a culture of evangelism to take place, Louisiana Baptists must believe: every person is an evangelist, every person can be saved, in being sensitive to the Holy Spirit, every scripture points to Jesus, in progressing every decision towards discipleship, every decision is celebrated but we cannot settle, and the community must be saturated with the Gospel. “Louisiana is known for its culture,” Horn said in his report to board members. “Sometimes it’s a good thing and sometimes it’s not. What if it would be known of us and said of us that we would be known first and foremost for having a culture of evangelism.” Horn told board members he is encouraged that churches have signed up to … [Read more...]

SBC EC trustees vote down Wellman as president, CEO

By Baptist Message staff DALLAS (LBM) – Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee trustees, during a special called meeting May 1, voted not to elect Jared Wellman as the next president and CEO. According to news reports, only 30 of the 81 trustees at the meeting inside the Grand Hyatt DFW hotel cast their ballots for Wellman. Wellman, pastor of Tate Springs Baptist Church, Arlington, Texas, took to Twitter after the meeting to thank Southern Baptists for the opportunity to serve as a trustee of the EC. He recently served as EC chairman and a member of the search committee. “Our lives are in the hands of a sovereign God,” he wrote. “We’re called simply to be faithful and put our ‘yes’ on the table (Gen 22). My prayers are with the EC. I’ll always cherish getting to serve.” David Sons, EC chairman and a member of the previous search committee, said in a news conference after the meeting that a new search committee will be formed. According to the Baptist Paper, the new search committee members are: Corey Cain of Tennessee, Neal Hughes of Alabama, Drew Landry of Virginia, Nick Sandefur of Kentucky, Sarah Rogers of South Carolina and Nancy Spaulding of Michigan. Sons will serve as an ex-officio voting member … [Read more...]