By Frank Page, President of the SBC Executive Committee On Tuesday morning (March 25) I had the privilege of speaking with Vyacheslav Nesteruk, president of the Baptist Union of Ukraine. A fellow Baptist who works in Ukraine helped facilitate the phone call and served as our translator. Vyacheslav is a faithful servant of Christ. It was a wonderful conversation between brothers in the Lord. During our conversation, I expressed my prayerful support for pastor Nesteruk and let him know that I would be calling on all Southern Baptists to pray for our Baptist brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Russia’s seizure of Crimea and subsequent military build-up on the border of Eastern Ukraine has serious implications beyond just the politics of the moment. This is a spiritual crisis of the highest order. After speaking on a number of points of mutual interest, we discussed specific prayer requests. Brother Nesteruk specifically asked Southern Baptists to pray for the following: n That there would be no war in Ukraine, but peace. n That there would be a sense of peace in the hearts of Ukrainian people, rather than a sense of unrest or anxiety. n For the economic situation, as sanctions imposed by Russia have already begun making life … [Read more...]

By Steve Horn, President of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Lafayette Dear Louisiana Baptist Family, By God’s grace, we have enjoyed a season of peace for several years in the Louisiana Baptist Convention. For that, we are thankful to the Lord. Recent developments associated with Louisiana College have apparently and unfortunately disrupted our peace. I pray, however, that this disruption will be for a brief moment. However, this moment is where we find ourselves, so what do we do now? We can let this crisis consume and divide us, or we can meet this crisis head on and pray to get through it quickly so that we move on to matters that are eternally infinitely more important. So, again, what do we do now? Respectfully, as your President of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, let me offer a few suggestions. First, we should pray. That goes without saying, but I am reminded that the Apostle Paul did not go without saying it. He implored the saints of his day to pray, and on one occasion, he urged them to pray without ceasing. We must pray urgently and authentically. We must also pray introspectively. The prayer of the Psalmist ought to be part of our daily prayers as he prayed, “Search me, God, … [Read more...]

TO THE EDITOR Being a Baptist, it saddens me concerning the recent conflicts, issues, and problems involving Louisiana College and Dr. Joe Aguillard. The TOWN TALK and The BAPTIST MESSAGE have and are reporting the problems. I appreciate these reports or news articles. It would be nice if Dr. Aguillard would present his views. That will help resolve these problems. Without resolution, this once great institution will continue to struggle. As Baptists, we need closure to the problems. Daily I pray for Dr. Aguillard, the administrators, the faculty, and the students that God would restore Louisiana College to its prominent role of educating the future Christian leaders. Jimmy Anthony Pineville … [Read more...]

To the Editor Once upon a time there was a small private Christian college.  Its stellar reputation was known far and wide. Her faculty was among the finest in the nation.  Her buildings were well-maintained. The student body was strong and proud and growing steadily. Students were proud of their school.  Her graduates were the cream of the crop.  Alumni were proud to say she was their alma mater. There was another Christian college.  Her buildings were in a state of disrepair.  A spirit of despair permeated the campus.  The best and brightest among the faculty had left for greener pastures. Students lived in fear of retaliation if they spoke up.  As a result, the student body was shrinking each year. Millions of dollars had been spent launching expensive new programs that never materialized, draining the coffers of valuable funds that could have been used to maintain the existing campus. Donors were alienated by the administration and took their millions elsewhere. Alumni and students tried to speak up. The administration ignored their cries – accusing them of trying to tear down the school. It should be painfully obvious that both schools are Louisiana College. The former was LC in her heyday. The letter is LC today. A … [Read more...]

To The Editor First of all, thank you for informing Louisiana Baptists about the disturbing chaos at our much beloved Louisiana College. An age-old quote states it rather poignantly: “The greatest friend of truth is time.” Maybe time is what it will take to overcome the ranting and railings which continue about circumstances that seemingly were handled appropriately by its Board of Trustees and by its President. From a lifetime of watching from the wings, I see the Evil One do anything to destroy the testimony of the College and continue to “dig up stuff” from the pit. It seems there is always someone who will help him dig. My pastor, Kris Chenier of Trinity Heights Baptist Church, preached last Sunday on Matthew 5 and having a heart like Jesus and on the law of grace. When offended, try to make it right and restore relationships, which is the basis of evangelism. Pastor Chenier asked, “What about the lost and dying world watching us when we are insulted, bullied, and attacked?” He said that our Christian witness and ministry must be above our individual rights. We must stand staunchly on the truth – facts, not fantasies. The lost and dying world will see and wonder how we are careful in retaliation by going the “extra mile” … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 04/04/2014 - 09:52 Michael Johnson, an attorney from Shreveport hired in 2010 to be the law school’s founding dean, resigned in Sept., 2012. By Kelly Boggs, Editor PINEVILLE – A recent report by Alexandria’s daily newspaper questions not only the fiscal health of Louisiana College, but also the school’s enrollment, especially as it relates to freshmen. Alexandria’s daily newspaper indicates both have seen better days. The Town Talk report included Information from LC’s most recent 990 tax form, which is from the fiscal year that ended July 31, 2012. The document reveals that while LC generated $29.2 million in revenue it had $30.5 million in expenditures which resulted in a $1.3 million deficit. The 990 form is an annual reporting return that federally tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS and is a matter of public record. The most recent LC report via Guidestar for fiscal year ending in July 2012. For the 2011 fiscal year LC’s 990 reflected a $3.9 million surplus but in 2010 the IRS document showed the college had a $3.6 million deficit and the 2009 report also indicated a shortfall of $3.6 million. The information concerning LC’s IRS records was obtained via the Internet site of … [Read more...]

Editor’s note:  The Alexandria Town Talk’s Leigh Guidry wrote this story in which she attempts to present both sides of the on going controversy at Louisiana College. The Town Talk has given the Message permission to reprint the article. PINEVILLE – The controversy surrounding Louisiana College has stirred strong reactions from alumni and others connected to the private Baptist school in Pineville, flooding social media sites and inboxes of members of the Board of Trustees. Although most alumni who have taken a public stand appear to be calling for board members to “restore” the college to its former state through a change in leadership and increase in transparency, LC President Joe Aguillard also has his supporters. “Begin the process of rebuilding the school to its former greatness,” Trey Qualls, LC class of 2007, wrote. “There is simply no excuse for how the College has been run into the ground in the last nine years under (Aguillard’s) ‘leadership.’” William David Ellis of Ben Wheeler, Texas, takes an opposite view. Ellis wrote on Facebook that the laying off of some employees after Aguillard began his tenure in 2005 was a way of addressing what Ellis called the school’s “history of liberal professors, who denied the … [Read more...]

March 3, 2014 Dr. Tommy French, Chairman Dr. Joe Aguillard, President Louisiana College 1140 College Dr. Box 583 Pineville, LA 71359 Dear Dr. French and Dr. Aguillard: The purpose of this letter is to seek clarification on two important matters: the first concerns our legal duties and responsibilities as trustees of the Louisiana College Board of Trustees; and the second concerns the final resolution of findings in the recent independent audit of Louisiana College by the firm of Payne, Moore & Herrington. Regarding the first matter, I am concerned that some of the legal counsel we were provided at our last board meeting on December 3, 2013, may not have been entirely accurate. As you will recall, the board’s attorney answered questions during our discussion about the definition and scope of each board member’s fiduciary duties to the institution. Since that time, I have reviewed the relevant law on point and consulted with outside counsel on the general legal question of what responsibilities and liabilities are associated with a director of a non-profit. It is my conclusion that the information we were presented on December 3 was in error. The term fiduciary is a commonly misunderstood word. According to BLACK’S LAW … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Damon Kirk new as worship leader Richey Baptist Church, Center Point. Aaron (wife Layla) Shamp new as pastor at Redeemer City Church, Lafayette (a new church plant). Lavelle Spillers resigns as pastor from Pleasure Point Baptist Church, Homer. David (wife Leslie) Sullivan, Jr., new as family minister at First Baptist Church, Bastrop. Danny (wife Jo-Dee) Taylor new as pastor at Belle Park Baptist Church, Haughton. George Steer resigns as pastor from First Baptist Church, Arcadia. Robert “Bodie” Spicer new as interim pastor at Faith Baptist Church, Bastrop. Kevin McLeod resigned as pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church, Monroe to become pastor in Kilbourne. Marty Kutz new as interim pastor at Lighthouse Baptist Church, Monroe.   REVIVAL/HOMECOMING Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, West Monroe: Revival, April 13-18, Sunday, 10:15 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 p.m. Speaker: Brent Barker. Worship: Glenn Naylor. Pastor: Randy Burdeaux. His Church, Pineville: Revival, April 13-16, Sunday morning services will be at 8, 9:30, and 11:00. Sunday through Wednesday evening services 7 p.m. Love offering will be received at all the services. Evangelist: Casey Johnson. Worship: His Church Band and Jonathan Murrell will do … [Read more...]