By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Shortly after several Central Louisiana schools received social media threats of possible shootings, Louisiana Christian University President Mark Johnson travelled to be the light of Christ on the campuses of Alexandria Senior High School, Peabody Magnet High School, Pineville High School and Tioga High School, Sept. 29-30.
“Normally I’m allowed to go and visit with students in lunchrooms but recently they’ve had a lot of shooting threats in our area,” Johnson told the Baptist Message. “We’ve been having a lot of opportunities to sit alongside young people and remind them they’re going to be okay.
“I went from being president to pastor real quick because they’re nervous over these last few days,” he continued. “And it turned out to be a time of great encouragement and hearing from the students.”
All four schools received threats on social media, Sept. 29, though the shootings never took place. The juveniles who made the threats were arrested, placed into the Renaissance Home for Youth in Alexandria and charged with terrorizing, according to the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Department. Additionally, Peabody Magnet High School’s homecoming parade and football game, scheduled for Sept. 27, was canceled after the school principal, local officials and law enforcement learned of a possible credible threat to harm parade goers.
In response, a community prayer gathering has been scheduled outside the Rapides Parish School Board office in Alexandria, Oct. 2 at noon. The event will include public prayers for students, teachers, families and the community as a whole. Jeremy Shepherd, pastor with Pineville Park Baptist Church, Pineville, and Brad Webb, pastor with Family of Grace Church, Alexandria, are among those who will share a word of encouragement.
“We’re gathering on Thursday at noon outside the Rapides Parish School Board to pray for our students, teachers, and community in light of the recent threats,” said event organizer Nathan Martin, pastor with the non-denominational Christian Challenge Worship Center, Pineville. “Scripture calls us to humble ourselves, pray and seek God’s face — and that’s what we’re doing. We believe God hears prayer, and we’re asking Him to bring peace, protection and healing to our schools and city.”
