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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

James to be LBC 2VP nominee

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer JONESBORO, La. (LBM) – Craig James, associational missions strategist with North Central Baptist Association, will be nominated for the office of second vice president with the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2024 annual meeting of church messengers. Clark Palmer, pastor with Faith Baptist Church, Tioga, contacted the Baptist Message, Sept. 25, to share his intention to make the nomination. The yearly gathering of Louisiana Baptists is scheduled to be held in the facilities of Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport, Nov. 12. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT James, who is a member of Atlanta Baptist Church, has faithfully served the Lord and churches for decades, Palmer said. “Over the years when I mention his name I have found that his former church members love him,” he said. “His fellow pastors love him. His family loves him. And recently the thought came into my mind, that I should nominate him for one of our LBC offices. “If you know him you probably agree that he is a great representative of Louisiana Baptist pastors and leaders,” he continued. “He was surprised when I asked him if I could do this but agreed to allow me to nominate him as second vice-president … [Read more...]

Fall Preview Day at LCU set for Oct. 5

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University will offer high school students a chance to learn about the opportunities awaiting them in Pineville at the annual Fall Preview Day, Oct. 5. Scheduled from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., the event will offer prospective students a tour of the school’s campus, hear from current students and faculty members, learn more about student clubs and organizations, athletics, academic programs, ministry opportunities and residence life and gain scholarship and financial aid information. Additionally, two $1,000 Preview Day scholarships will be awarded. All high school students in public, private and home school are encouraged to preregister to attend the event. Registration begins at 9 a.m. for those who did not pre-register.    Interested students should sign up by going to the Preview Day registration form. Students who attend Preview Day will receive a free lunch and LCU merchandise. Students who pre-register for Preview Day will have the $25 application fee waived. Please contact the Admissions Department with any questions at admissions@LCUniversity.edu or (800)487-1906. … [Read more...]

FBC Baton Rouge: Dad passes pastor’s baton to son

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Andrew Ogea has been commissioned as a pastor with multiple church plants, but nothing compared to his installation as the pastor of First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, when his dad passed the mantel of leadership to him on Father’s Day. “A pastoral succession between a father and son is a unique experience that probably doesn’t happen very often, and for ours to occur on Father's Day made it especially meaningful,” Ogea told the Baptist Message. “My father handed me the baton after I promised to faithfully shepherd the congregation. For him to be the person passing that baton to me was incredible.” Ogea, who previously served as worship pastor and executive pastor with Vintage Church, New Orleans, and later as worship and discipleship pastor with Northshore Church, Slidell, said he will do his best with the Lord’s guidance to fulfill those promises he made, including keeping God first, family second and the church third and leading with love, encouragement and integrity to the church and community. Additionally, the church promised during the ceremony to pray for Ogea and his family and encourage them. He added that he has learned much about pastoring churches from … [Read more...]

Wildcat debate team starts semester with big win

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University Wildcat Debate Team took the trophy in the novice division of the 2024 Mendoza Debate Tournament at Lee College in Baytown, Texas over the weekend. Isabella McClendon, a sophomore social work major from West Monroe, took first place in the novice division, the largest division of the tournament. This year’s tournament included debaters from 14 colleges and universities across the three divisions of novice, junior varsity and varsity. Forty-six students competed in the novice division. “It was an amazing opportunity to get to represent our school and what we stand for at Lee College this past weekend,” McClendon said. “God blessed me with a super supportive team, and I'm excited to grow alongside them at future tournaments.” Two other Wildcats Debaters made an amazing showing at their first debate tournament. Bailey Brown, a freshman nursing major from Bogalusa, and Eva Villamor, a sophomore mathematics major from Burgos, Spain, both went 3-3. Wildcat Debate Coach Brian Manuel said he is proud of the team’s showing at the tournament. LCU fielded 10 competitors at this event. “This is our favorite tournament to start the … [Read more...]