By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – The pool for candidates of Louisiana College’s next president has been narrowed down to a few people but no one has been chosen yet to fill the position. That was some of the news shared during the most recent meeting of the school’s board of trustees. “Every day my prayer is Lord, help us get the right person for LC,” LC Board President Tommy French told trustees during its Dec. 16 meeting held on the campus in Pineville. The school is searching for a new president after the contract of then-President Joe Aguillard was not renewed. His contract as president expired on July 31, 2014, and the board approved an agreement which allowed Aguillard to remain on campus as president emeritus beginning Aug. 1, 2014. Argile Smith then became interim president of the college once Aguillard’s contract expired. Before being named interim president, Smith served as Executive Vice-President for Integration of Faith and Learning at LC. Smith has said on multiple occasions that he has no desire to serve as president of the school beyond the interim status. Among the characteristics the presidential search committee told trustees during the meeting that it has found in all the candidates … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 12/19/2014 - 11:48 Dick Linman By Holly Jo Linzay, Regional Reporter LAKE CHARLES – At nearly 91 years old, Dick Linam did not let his age weigh in as a factor when asked to serve as a deacon for First Baptist Church in Lake Charles. He may not be the oldest person ever ordained as a Baptist deacon in Louisiana, but Linam imagines he is among a select group, and did not want his age to deter him from serving God. A few weeks ago, Linam was one of five new deacons ordained in a special service at First Baptist Church, and it is the first time Linam has ever been a deacon. “It is very humbling to be accepted to this position. This is my first time to serve as a deacon. I hope I’m worthy of their trust,” Linam said. The role of being a deacon is one Linam plans to take seriously, “I plan to dedicate the rest of my life to serving the Lord and helping in any way I can.” Linam joined First Baptist Church of Lake Charles in 2002. He became active in several ministry outreaches of the church right away. Bruce Baker, who serves as the interim pastor and who is also the executive director of the Carey Association, said Linam’s dedication to the Lord is evident. “Dick’s very active and loves … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor Two-thirds of Americans do not trust their fellow citizens, according to a recent survey conducted by the Associated Press and GfK Public Affairs and Corporate Communications. GfK, according to its website, is a research company “working to discover new insights into the way people live, think and shop....” A similar survey in 1972 found that half of Americans professed trust in their fellow man. I suppose the AP-GfK survey does raise at least one question: Did those participating in the project trust the person conducting the survey enough to provide trustworthy answers? With such a preponderance of participants exhibiting such low levels of trust, it makes one wonder. Most of us probably can conjure up enough anecdotal evidence to support the results of the AP/GfK survey. The news is constantly reporting on scams and those who do not honor a contract, must less their word. And who among us has not been on the receiving end of someone lying, cheating or stealing from us? Several surveys in recent years have indicated these behaviors are on the rise in our society. While it seems well-documented that greater numbers of our fellow citizens are behaving in ways that violate trust, social … [Read more...]

By David Jeremiah, Pastor at Shadow Mountain Community Church Ever thought about writing your autobiography? Just jot down key dates and events in your life. Beside each date write something. It’ll be a treasure to your grandchildren later. Our words and deeds are actually writing our autobiography every day, creating a legacy for good or ill. Our decisions are blazing a trail for others, setting the course, determining the future of those we love. What kind of legacy are you creating? It’s time to begin “righting” the story of your life. Writing and living your autobiography requires the same handful of crucial elements. KEEP THE END IN VIEW Good writers think through their plots, mapping them out, beginning with the end in view. Are you an immediate-thinker instead of an ultimate-thinker? As long as everything is status quo in the here-and-now, you don’t think much about where you’re headed. Travis, 37, no longer liked his job, his prospects. A friend recommended a counselor who said: “Write the epitaph you would like engraved on your tombstone.” That rattled Travis. How would he want to be remembered? What did he want to accomplish? What would you like your epitaph to read? What do you want to accomplish? What is … [Read more...]

By Chuck Bentley, CEO Crown Financial Ministries On a recent Saturday morning, I was waiting to pick up my son, John, from a musical practice at church, so I decided to walk around the building for some exercise. While walking, I encountered a man knocking on the front door of the building. Allow me to describe him to give you a better context of my experience. “Bill” (a pseudonym to protect his identity) is a healthy, white male about 50 years old. He was visibly angry, agitated and seemed ready to explode. Although I was a little frightened by his demeanor, I told him the staff had the day off and politely asked if I could help him. Bill, who does not have any apparent mental challenges, began ranting about the evil of living in America. He said the country no longer cared for the poor, that everyone was cold and cruel and that even the “church” was not any different. Bill said he was hungry, had walked six miles to get to a location where he normally had good success asking for money but was tired and did not want to walk another step. He put a large dip of snuff in his mouth and began to tell me of his aches, pains, rejection and bitterness towards “Christians” and “Americans” who just don’t care anymore. I calmly told … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 12/19/2014 - 11:55 By Diana Davis, Author and Speaker A tattoo artist, a CEO, and a homeless guy walk into your church’s worship service… But when those strangers walk into church, will they receive a warm welcome? How can a church assure that outsiders are accepted? The answer is spelled with just three letters: Y-O-U. Yes, you – the normal Christian person sitting in the pew on Sunday morning. It’s nice when the greeter at the door says hello, and it’s great if the pastor or church leaders have a moment to speak to guests, but what really makes a difference is when you offer a sincere hand of friendship to a guest. Will you make a New Year’s resolution to welcome every guest who sits near you during worship? Try this strategy: n Make a specific commitment. Look at your church layout and select an area, such as a section of seats, or three pews nearest you. Make a personal commitment to God to welcome anyone who sits in that area. Don’t fret if others greet them; no one complains about being over-welcomed. n Say a silent prayer as you enter church every Sunday. Ask God to direct you to those who need a welcome and to give you boldness to show His love to them. n Just say “hello.” Speak to … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 12/19/2014 - 11:59 Thirty-eight years after a car wreck left him paralyzed, Mike Richardson killed a magnificent Texas whitetail thanks to the Woodland Baptist Church Outdoor Ministry. The ministry helps those with disabilities to be able to enjoy the outdoors and receive a message from the gospel. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD – When a brain aneurism left Daniel Hoover paralyzed at 30, he felt that meant he never would have the opportunity to kill a buck again. However, this setback turned to hope when Hoover was introduced to a ministry at Woodland Baptist Church that allows individuals with disabilities, Down’s Syndrome and other conditions that make them unable to hunt to fully participate in a hunt. “He got out on a hunt and it was unbelievable the joy we saw on his face,” said Hoover’s father, Glenn, who accompanied him on the first hunt. “It brought more joy to me for him to kill one than all the deer I had killed in my life.” Since that first hunt, Daniel Hoover has killed three deer in all. His father, who is a volunteer with the ministry and a member of Woodland Baptist Church, said his son’s story is not unique. In all, more than 100 hunters have taken … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 12/19/2014 - 12:02 South Lafourche Baptist always has had a strong commitment to missions giving. But when Shane Terrebonne became pastor, he believed the church could take missions a step further through evangelism and reaching out to the community – something the congregation has wholeheartedly embraced such as through its food ministry. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer CUT OFF – South Lafourche Baptist Church is in the business of bridge building these days. When Shane Terrebonne first started as pastor of the church in September 2013, he noticed that many in the oil and fishing community were unaware that a church was there. So he decided a way to build a bridge would be through showing the love of Christ with various ministries. Nine months later, Sunday morning worship attendance has increased from 20 to 55 people and a growing number in the community are realizing that the South Louisiana church is there and cares for them. “We want to plug them into Jesus,” Terrebonne said. “This church has been without a pastor for a long time and had a reputation of being just there. The first few months we were trying to re-introduce ourselves to the community. “There’s a sense of … [Read more...]

By Gary Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS (BP) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s trustee executive board elected two new faculty members and approved a new undergraduate certificate center location during their Dec. 2 meeting. Trustees elected Arthur “Bo” Rice to the NOBTS faculty as assistant professor of evangelism and preaching. Rice will also serve as associate dean of supervised ministry and mentoring programs. NOBTS will task Rice with updating and enhancing the school’s supervised ministry efforts to better reflect the needs of today’s ministers, and launch its new mentoring program. NOBTS Trustee D.J. Horton, pastor of Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church in Anderson, S.C., noted Rice “makes NOBTS stronger for three reasons. He brings youthful energy and enthusiasm, a proven pastoral track record, and a heart to grow new leaders ready to be more effective in their own ministries.” Rice completed his bachelor’s degree at Auburn University and earned master of divinity, master of theology and doctor of philosophy degrees from NOBTS. During his studies in the NOBTS graduate program, Rice received the LifeWay Pastoral Leadership Award and preached the senior week chapel service in Leavell Chapel. While still … [Read more...]

MOUNT VERNON Ga. (BP) – The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has reaffirmed the accreditation of Brewton-Parker College, reversing an earlier decision. The Dec. 9 announcement means the Georgia Baptist college, which had been on probation and then lost its academic ranking on June 19, will remain fully accredited without any blemish on its record. The governing group announced its decision earlier today at the conclusion of its annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn. BPC President Ergun Caner and members of his executive cabinet met for an hour on Dec. 6 in Nashville with the SACSCOC Committee on Compliance and Reports to present new verified material evidence demonstrating the college’s compliance with the Principles of Accreditation. The evidence submitted and reviewed by SACSCOC shows Brewton-Parker College has sufficient financial resources to meet its obligations and its mission, is financially stable, is in control of its finances, and complies with its Title IV program responsibilities to the United States Department of Education. “This is a great day for Brewton-Parker College,” Caner said in a prepared statement. “We are thankful that after reviewing all the evidence SACSCOC removed us … [Read more...]