By Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist state missions and ministry directors and entity heads rolled out the welcome mat for more than 19 new pastors and eight spouses, Sept. 12. Held at the Baptist Building in Alexandria, the event featured remarks by Louisiana Baptists Executive Director Steve Horn, introductions by state ministries and entities, a tour of the building and lunch for those in attendance. The event was open to any pastor or staff member who had transitioned to the role of pastor since 2020. “The strength of our cooperation rides on the back of the strength of our relationships,” Horn told the Baptist Message. “Central to that cooperation is the strength of our relationships with pastors. And, how can we have strength in those relationships with those with whom we haven’t even met? “So, our ongoing vision is to start that relationship as early as possible when a new pastor arrives for his first pastorate in Louisiana,” he continued. “The intention of this event was to open the physical front door of our convention so pastors could hear the presentations from state missions’ directors and entity leaders and also tour our facilities,” Louisiana Baptists Pastoral Ministry Team … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WASHINGTON (LBM) – A Facebook post by Congressman Mike Johnson warning families about the new FX cartoon “Little Demon” has reached more than 12 million people and been shared more than 157,000 times since Sept. 5. Johnson, who represents Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District and is a member of Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, shared his concerns about the show that was previewed during the Florida State-LSU football game Sept. 4 on ABC. According to the FX website, the show features a “reluctant” mother and her antichrist daughter as they try to live an ordinary life in Delaware. However, they are “constantly thwarted by monstrous forces, including Satan, who yearns for custody of his daughter’s soul.” Johnson, who has made four other Facebook posts about the show, said he was shocked Disney, which owns and markets FX, would expose so many individuals including children such as his own 11-year-old son to a trailer about a cartoon that has elements of satanism, graphic violence and profanity. “When I saw the trailer, I was alarmed,” Johnson told the Baptist Message. “It was not expected, and I couldn’t get to the remote fast enough to shield my son from it. I wondered … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – While refueling at an Alexandria gasoline station, Aug. 26, Disaster Relief volunteer James Irvine struck up a conversation with a young man who inquired about a job with the organization. Instead of securing employment, Justin left with something far better than a job opportunity … he left with a relationship with Christ. Irvine, who along with LBDR Strategist Stan Statham, prayed with Justin onsite as he gave his life over to the Lord. It served as a reminder that all Christ followers should look for opportunities to share the ‘good news’ found in the Lord. “Anytime you can lead someone to the Lord it’s an awesome experience, Irvine told the Baptist Message. “On that day the timing was right, and he was ready to change his life for the Lord. A lot of people miss those opportunities but when it is there you must step up and allow the person to either accept or reject Christ. I’m so excited Justin was willing to turn to Jesus right then and there.” Statham, who has maintained contact with Justin for discipleship and to help him get connected with a local church, said the incident served as a reminder of the ultimate purpose of disaster … [Read more...]

By Staff, LCUNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCUNews) -- Steve Horn, executive director for Louisiana Baptists, encouraged Louisiana Christian University students during the first chapel of the 2022-23 school year, Aug. 26, to make decisions with their end goals in mind. Speaking from Revelation 1:1-8, Horn said the lessons in Revelation allow believers to go through life’s trials with the end in view. “Hopefully, you came to this university with the end in view. Not just graduation, but education and learning—to make a contribution to this world,” said Horn. “The decisions you make in the weeks, the years to come, are progressing you to the end. Revelation is the kind of book that calls on us to focus on the end.” Four years ago, Louisiana Christian University President Rick Brewer began selecting a single book of the Bible for extensive study for the year. His selection this year was the Book of Revelation. According to Brewer, “Revelation is often misunderstood and therefore neglected, but Dr. Horn made it easier to understand with his message to the students by emphasizing the overarching themes of the Book. “Our chapel experience today was a worshipful time of praise, prayer and proclamation unlike any I have ever … [Read more...]

By Staff, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – The first chapel of the 2022-2023 school year on Tuesday, Aug. 26, proved to be a busy one as the school welcomed its 2026 freshman class and honored former and present athletes and their accomplishments. Besides university officials recognizing the athletic accomplishments, including three athletes named as ‘Pillars of Football,’ LCU introduced the establishment of three new athletic awards, named after former LCU alumni standouts, announced the promotion of current athletic director/basketball coach Reni Mason to vice-president of intercollegiate athletics, and named current LCU quarterback Sal Palermo III as ‘President for a Day.’ RING CEREMONY LCU President Rick Brewer and new women’s soccer coach Kendall Ayers awarded the Lady Wildcats soccer team with their 2021 Red River Athletic Conference championship rings. The team won the regular season and tournament and qualified for the national tournament, a first in school history. Martina Terra Garcia became the program’s first to receive All-America honors as she was an honorable mention selection. “You all have set a standard for the other programs to live up to for all the positive attention you have brought this … [Read more...]

By Staff, LCUNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCUNews) -- Louisiana Christian University welcomed the Class of 2026 to campus over the weekend, Aug. 19-21, with several LCU traditions and some new activities to help them get initiated into the Wildcat family. The freshmen moved in Friday afternoon, got unpacked and hung out with their navigators -- upper-class leaders who are assigned a group of freshmen to mentor for the year -- before participating in servant leadership exercises the following day. On Saturday, Aug. 20, the entire freshmen class served the local community by working at the food bank and hosting a back-to-school giveaway for community children. “We are excited to have the opportunity to prepare our graduates at LCU by teaching our incoming class about servant leadership,” said Meredith Rennier, director of The Center for Calling and Career. “It is amazing to see how serving others can quickly bring a group of students that barely know one another together,” said Brian Manuel, dean of students. Classes officially began this morning, Aug. 22. Freshmen Convocation will be Tuesday, Aug. 23, at 11 a.m. in Guinn Auditorium. President Rick Brewer, who is starting his 36th year in Christian higher education … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — Louisiana Baptists are invited to recommend candidates to serve on state convention boards and committees, and, are asked to submit resolutions for possible consideration by messengers at the 2022 Louisiana Baptist Convention. COMMITTEES The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Committees will be conducting its work early this fall to fill 17 openings on five state convention committees: Credentials; Moral and Social Concerns; Nominations; Order of Business; and Resolutions. Nominations should be sent not later than Aug. 12 to Jake Roudkowski, interim pastor, First Baptist Church, Zachary, who is the Committee on Committees chair. Please forward your recommendations via email, jaker@nobts.edu, or the U.S. Mail, Dr. Jake Roudkowski, 78689 Hwy. 25, Folsom, LA 70437. BOARDS The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Nominations will begin its work, also in early fall, to fill 18 vacancies on the LBC Executive Board as well as the trustee bodies of the Louisiana Christian University, Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, Baptist Message, and Baptist Foundation. Nominations should be sent not later than Aug. 12 to Ron Thompson, member, First Baptist Church, … [Read more...]