By Lexi Rachal, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, La. (Wildcats Media) – Louisiana Christian University has added another dining option to the food court at the Hixson Student Center food. President Rick Brewer, who was on hand, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open a new Pizza Hut on Jan. 11, said the restaurant was added after the student body, in the spring 2021 semester, indicated they most wanted pizza and wings as new food court offerings. “It was really in response to students,” Brewer said. “That’s why we did it.” Students such as Jai Melancon waited in line up to 30 minutes before the ribbon cutting to receive one of the 100 free t-shirts handed out by the school to mark the occasion. “I love that our school’s investing back into the student body,” Melancon said. Pizza Hut joins Starbucks, Subway and Wildcat Grill as dining options available to students. Brewer said he is hopeful LCU will add even more food options in the future. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Pastoral Leadership Director Ray Swift announced that resources are available for ministers who need someone to lean on. Swift said the Convention’s ‘Shepherd’s Rest’ ministry provides support for a pastor to take a brief sabbatical (up to four Sundays) with the assurance that the church where he serves will have pastoral oversight. This ministry is provided at no cost to the pastor or congregation. “Pastors should know they don’t have to face it alone,” Swift told the Baptist Message. “The reality is every pastor, every church, is facing similar distractions, difficulties and problems. The best resource we have is to reach out to one another and speak to another pastor and engage in guidance from the LBC. Most of all we have God. His promise is He is going to build the church and no pandemic or hurricane can stop that.” Swift also shared that the Pastoral Leadership team is available to help congregations seeking a permanent pastor – by providing training for search committees, something he said should be helpful at this time when 257 of 1,611 congregations are without pastors. For more information about the ‘Shepherd’s Rest’ … [Read more...]