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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Apologist explains evil’s existence at LCU’s C3 event

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Christian apologist Frank Turek said evil actually is evidence of God during Louisiana Christian University’s final Christ-Church-Culture event of the spring semester, April 10. “Why does He allow those who love Him to suffer?” Turek asked the students and guests gathered inside Guinn Auditorium. “Why believe in this being?” While going through tragedy, Turek said nothing makes sense or will make the pain go away. But, he added, evil that proves there is good. “God is the standard of good that proves evil does exist,” he said. “There’s got to be an external standard for us to see that something doesn’t measure up.” The reason God allows evil is because He created humans with free will. “He gave us free will so we can do good, but because of that we can also do evil,” Turek said. When humans are doing well and prospering, they often forget about God, but suffering develops character, he said. If humans got everything they wanted, they would be ruined and spoiled. “We need difficulty in our lives,” Turek said. “With it we become more like Jesus.” He said difficulties can make us better, or they can make us bitter. Humans don’t have the perspective to understand … [Read more...]

LCU music alum Thomason receives national honor

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News ) – Louisiana Christian University alum Teresa Thomason, Alexandria, has been well-known in the Central Louisiana music community for decades and has earned local, state and national accolades for her amazing and long-standing work in the music teaching field. On March 27 in Reno, Nevada, she was recognized for her contributions by the Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fellow. The MTNA Foundation Fellow is given to people who have been important to the organization and who have made outstanding contributions for their years of service. Thomason received the award March 27 in Reno, Nevada, for her commitment to the organization and for contributions to the music profession. “When they called me, I was speechless,” she said of the notification by University of Louisiana – Lafayette professor Chan Kiat Lim, also current president of Louisiana Music Teachers Association. Thomason, a 1991 graduate of Louisiana Christian University (formerly Louisiana College), first began teaching piano lessons as a teenager and soon after served as a pianist at Central Baptist Church, Springhill. Since graduating from LCU, Thomason has taught piano at Country Day School in Alexandria … [Read more...]

LCU students to participate in Adopt-a-Street clean-up

By Elizabeth Clark, LCUNews PINEVILLE, La. LCUNews -- Louisiana Christian University Greek student organizations Kappa Omicron and Lambda Chi Beta will be participating in city clean-up efforts in Alexandria on April 14. The university has adopted an area of Versailles Boulevard through its partnership with the City of Alexandria's Adopt-A-Street program. "LCU is committed to teaching servant leadership to our students through service-learning projects within the Central Louisiana community,” said Meredith Rennier, vice president for Student Life. “We are excited to partner with the City of Alexandria's Adopt-A-Street program in bettering our city." Terrell Phillips, coordinator of student activities said the Adopt-a-Street program encourages local organizations to take on the responsibility of picking up litter on a specific section of roadway.  Volunteer organizations are recognized by having their name on two roadside signs provided by the City of Alexandria. The first clean-up will be April 14 from 1-3 p.m. … [Read more...]

Christian apologist Frank Turek to speak April 10th at LCU

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCUNews) -- Louisiana Christian University welcomes back renowned Christian apologist Frank Turek, April 10. Turek will discuss the topic: “If God, Why Evil?” A crowd favorite at LCU, Turek, president of the Christian apologetics ministry CrossExamined.org and best-selling author of “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist,” will speak in Guinn Auditorium. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Christian apologetics uses science amd reasoning to prove the truth of Christianity and cross-examines claims against it. More information about Turek’s ministry is available on CrossExamined.org The C3 event, the final Christ, Church, Culture event of the spring semester, is free and open to the public.   … [Read more...]

Clara Springs Camp celebrates 70 years of Kingdom impact

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PELICAN, La. (LBM) – Several hundred people gathered during the Clara Springs Baptist Camp 70th anniversary celebration, March 24 and 26, to celebrate the life-changing impact the camp has had on their lives. Held on the grounds of the camp in Pelican, the event featured the traditional Fourth Friday Fish Fry, concerts by Southern Plainsmen and Vines and Company, fireworks, games, and the Overcoming Obstacles Ministry’s American Ninja Warrior course. The weekend also included a reunion of campers and a time for sharing memories of Clara Springs. Bubba Mills, who has served as director since 2007, said the celebration reminded him of how God’s hand has been on the camp for the past 70 years. “God has brought us through the good and bad times and blessed us tremendously,” Mills told the Baptist Message. “Most people would say God has blessed the camp through the buildings on the grounds and that certainly is true. But blessings also have come from those who have accepted Christ here and the hundreds we know committed to ministry and who are serving in ministry all over the world.” LASTING LEGACY The idea for the camp was presented and adopted at the 1952 District 8 … [Read more...]

Revival challenges Big Creek churches to seek Christ

DRY PRONG, La. (LBM) – The 30 churches of the Big Creek Baptist Association gathered for a joint revival, March 26-29, in preparation for a possible spiritual awakening in Grant Parish. Held at the B22 Auditorium in Dry Prong, the revival featured messages by evangelist Bill Britt of Haughton and music by Jimmy Crabtree, minister of music at New Prospect Baptist Church, Dry Prong, and other musicians in the association. Additionally, the Adult and Teen Challenge choir shared testimonies and special music and First Baptist Church, Dry Prong, hosted a pizza supper before the final night of the revival. Association moderator Travis Sanders, also pastor of Hebron Baptist Church, Dry Prong, said the revival has helped unify the churches as they seek the Lord for a great harvest of souls in their communities. “Churches feel more connected and less alone,” Sanders told the Baptist Message. “When God’s people are revived, then we will see a great crusade.” … [Read more...]

LCU students present research at third annual C.S. Lewis Honors Forum

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Ten students presented research during the 3rd Annual C.S. Lewis Honors Forum at Louisiana Christian University, March 23. The interdisciplinary research project is the final requirement in fulfillment of the C.S. Lewis Honors Program. “The University’s C.S. Lewis Honors Scholars’ annual presentations serve as a solid reminder that great work can happen at a smaller university,” said LCU President Dr. Rick Brewer. “I am grateful for the professors who shepherd our students toward incredible, creative research underscoring the application of Colossians 3:17.” The following students took part in this year’s forum: Shelby Cumpton of Quitman will graduate in May with a degree in history and minor in political science. She recorded her presentation “A Language of Resistance: The White Rose and the Use of Framing,” as she was representing the LCU Debate Team at the National Championships in Boise, Idaho. Ashley Young of Shreveport will graduate in May with a degree in missions and ministry. The title of her research was “An Exegetical Study of Psalm 137.” Delaina Nacole Walley of Alexandria will graduate in May with a degree in English and minor in art. Her research examined … [Read more...]

Journey Church celebrates 100 baptisms in 2022

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Journey Church is in revival and all signs point to this movement of the Holy Spirit continuing for some time. Since January, Pastor James Greer has seen lives changed as they have recorded 222 salvation decisions and 43 baptisms. “I’ve never seen anything like what has happened the first four months of this year,” Greer told the Baptist Message. “It’s not what we are doing but what God is doing.” Originally Lee Heights Family Church in Pineville, the congregation moved in 2009 to the former site of Donahue Family Church and changed the name to Journey Church. Since then, the congregation (which averages 562 in Sunday worship and baptized 105 in 2022) has celebrated the baptism of 1,072 new members into the body of Christ and witnessed hundreds of other spiritual decisions, including repentances to restore fellowship with Christ, and commitments to vocational missions and ministry. The congregation’s core value, “Growing People Change,” facilitates growth. Meanwhile, its message to the lost, “I mess up, you mess up, we all mess up,” helps start conversations to convey the truth that Christ is the answer. That mindset is what drew Arlene … [Read more...]

SBC task force recommends pro-LGBT Guidepost Solutions for additional role

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force has recommended the Southern Baptist Convention Credentials Committee hire Guidepost Solutions to establish and maintain a “Ministry Check” website database for those credibly accused of sexual abuse, according to Baptist Press, the news division of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. The Pathway, the news service of the Missouri Baptist Convention, reported that the task force’s recommendation of Guidepost was made despite criticism about Guidepost’s open support of “Gay Pride” month. Last June, Guidepost Solutions, which, on behalf of the SBC, published the disputed “Report of the Independent Investigation” about alleged mishandling of sex abuse by the SBC EC, tweeted, “Guidepost is committed to strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion and strives to be an organization where our team can bring their authentic selves to work. “We celebrate our collective progress toward equality for all and are proud to be an ally to our LGBTQ+ community,” the post added. Marshall Blalock, ARITF chairman and pastor of the First Baptist Church in Charleston, South Carolina, conceded to SBC EC members that … [Read more...]

LCU launches Scholars Academy for stand-out high schoolers

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University has launched the Louisiana Christian Scholars Academy this fall for high school students looking for a jump-start on their college studies. Those enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to earn 60 hours of college credit, the equivalent of an associate of arts degree in general studies. Additionally, students may attend in-person or remote classes at a cost of $2,500 per semester (for 15 hours of credit, including textbooks). Outside the classroom, Scholars Academy students will have the opportunity to attend campus activities, athletics, chapel sessions, Baptist Collegiate Ministry gatherings and cultural events. They also will have access to the Louisiana Athletic Club. “Parents seeking a Christ-centered education for their high school student need to look no further than Louisiana Christian University and our Scholars Academy,” LCU President Rick Brewer said. “In the midst of a decaying culture, LCSA offers an alternative that promotes God and Country while equipping students with the requisite ‘tools’ needed to approach the world with a Christocentric mindset.” For more information, visit the Scholars Academy website. … [Read more...]