[img_assist|nid=8043|title=Lawsuit Press Conference|desc=Louisiana College President Joe Aguillard comments at a April 4 news conference at the school on a judge’s favorable ruling for LC in a lawsuit over the school’s faith-based teachings. Photo by Al Quartemont.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=427]By Kelly Boggs, Baptist Message Editor PINEVILLE -- After almost seven years, the Ninth Judicial District Court has ruled in favor of Louisiana College and defended the school’s right to determine the content of its faith curriculum. The decision concerned a law suit filed by former professors who “sued to gain control of how religion would be taught,” Louisiana College President Joe Aguillard said April 3 during a news conference on campus. The lawsuit, filed in 2005, was heard by Judge Mary Lauve Doggett of the Ninth Judicial District Court ruled March 27. The professors who sued the college alleging loss of academic freedom and infliction of emotional distress were Carlton L. Winbery, Fredrick L. Downing, James R. Heath and Connie R. Douglas. New Orleans attorney Ted LeClerq, who represented LC, said the court made a landmark decision. “The case was dismissed because for the court to make a decision, it would … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=8045|title=Prayer under the Oaks|desc=LBC Executive Director David Hankins (right) addresses a small crowd under the stately oak trees that surround the St. Martin Parish Courthouse in St. Martinville before leading them in prayer. As the Wave of Prayer rolls through the state, it is building in intensity toward the April 29 finale on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=360]By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor   BATON ROUGE – The Wave of Prayer that started in early March is building in intensity as it rolls south through Louisiana, stretching between the borders of Mississippi and Texas, and from as far north as the border with Arkansas to as far south as the Gulf of Mexico.   Southern Baptists across Louisiana are invited to gather for the final stop of this two-month journey on at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 29, on the steps of the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. Hundreds are expected to participate in the late afternoon event, which will feature a 100-voice combined choir,   David Hankins, Executive Director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and, perhaps, Governor Bobby Jindal.   “It’s been inspiring to hear … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=8047|title=Memorable Gift|desc=Louisiana College’s Randall Hargis, Vice President for Business Affairs, and Luana Cunningham, Director of Alumni and Foundation Relations, hold a $2.5 million check from the Carl and Helen Vogel Trust. It is the largest financial gift in LC history. Photo by Al Quartemont.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427]By Kelly Boggs, Baptist Message Editor   PINEVILLE – Louisiana College announced April 5 at a news conference held on its campus that it has received the largest single gift in the history of the school.   The Carl and Helen Vogel Trust totals approximately $2.5 million and has been donated to LC as an unrestricted endowment.   Carl Vogel, a 1931 graduate of LC, was a postman who, along with his wife, for years bought savings bonds. The couple had no children and left all they had to LC.   Joe Aguillard, president of LC, shared how Carl Vogel telephoned him seven years ago, shortly after Aguillard had been named president.   “After about 90 minutes of answering questions about the state of the college and our endowments, he [Vogel] turned the conversation to the great days he experienced at Louisiana College,” Aguillard … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Baptist Message Editor   The “non-religious” from across America gathered in Washington D.C. for what was dubbed as the “Reason Rally.” Self-identified atheists, agnostics, secular humanists came to a meeting that had been promoted for months as “the largest secular event in world history.”   While the event was touted as emphasizing reason, it seemed that some participating in the rally believed ridicule and bullying were the preferred ways for combating religious belief and spreading the joys of atheism.   One lady attending the rally held a sign that read: “So many Christians, so few lions,” according to the Washington Post. The sign was an obvious reference to Christian persecution by the Roman Empire.   Another sign read, “Obama isn’t trying to destroy religion – I AM!” A photo of a woman holding this sign appeared in USA Today.   It is plain to see where those brandishing the aforementioned signs stand on the issue of reason and open debate.   Richard Dawkins, one of the rally’s best known speakers, advocated for an aggressive in-the-face-of-faith approach to attacking religious belief, particularly Christianity.   Dawkins, the … [Read more...]

By Ronnie Floyd, Senior Pastor Cross Church in Arkansas Imagine what your life would look like if you only committed 2.56 percent of yourself to the things you do. How healthy would your marriage be if you told your spouse, “I love you with 2.56 percent of my heart”? Where would your career be if you performed at only 2.56 percent of your capability? We wouldn’t dream of doing such things. Yet, this is exactly the attitude the average Christian has when it comes to financing the work of the church. The average church member only gives an estimated 2.56 percent of his or her income to any church or charity. We can’t accomplish the massive goals of telling every person in the world about Jesus and making disciples of all nations with such miniscule giving. While it is true that much of the problem is the sin of greediness in the lives of average church members, it also could be the case that our lack of sacrificial giving is the result of disorganization. That’s why there is a great need for Christians to begin to evaluate their financial lives. Here are four steps each of us can take to begin meeting the financial aspect of fulfilling the Great Commission. 1. Give at least the first tenth of your income to your local … [Read more...]