By Philip Timothy, Message Managing Editor Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4 DERIDDER, La. (LBM) – Monday, December 16, began like most at First Baptist Christian Academy with the students and staff in assembly to recite all three pledges, say a prayer, and listen to a morning devotional. “Our assembly is part of our school day,” First Baptist Academy Principal Pylla Turner told the Baptist Message. “On this particular day our devotional came from Philippians 4:4 in which we are instructed to not be afraid and that joy is the cure to all fear. We learned that to call on Jesus with joy and he will bring us peace in the midst of our storms.” Unbeknownst to Turner or her staff they would shortly be putting those words to use. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:5-6. The first alert came shortly after mid-morning as teachers began to receive weather warnings on their cell phones. As they had practiced, the teachers calmly gathered the students, 60 from the Academy and 50 more from the weekday … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Message Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The storm has passed and now the cleanup begins. And Louisiana Baptists are ready and willing to help. “We were in Pitkin yesterday (Dec. 17) helping Gravel Hill Baptist Church and Marlow Baptist Church but today (Dec. 18) we are in Pineville going door to door seeing if there is anything we can do to help the homeowners,” Gibbie McMillan, Louisiana Baptists Disaster Relief strategist told the Baptist Message. “If they are not home, we are leaving a note with our phone number. “We’ve got a few jobs … enough for today … but there are a lot of people who have sustained damage,” he continued. “Some have insurance and may want to wait for their adjustor or use a tree company, and that’s fine. But if they don’t have anyone, we can help.” McMillan asks that anyone needing assistance with downed trees or needing a tarp to cover roof damage can call 318.321.9738. An incident command center has been set up at Philadelphia Baptist Church at Horseshoe Drive and David Cheatwood is the incident commander. “I literally just got here today so I missed the crews before they left for their jobs,” said Cheatwood. “We’ve got two crews here and a third is due … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – A monstrous cold front spawned a number of tornados that wreaked death and destruction across South and Central Louisiana Monday, Dec. 16. According to the National Weather Service, one of those tornados traveled 63 miles – from DeRidder to Alexandria – causing widespread damage in its path, and one confirmed fatality. The fatality took place as the tornado passed through Rosepine, located in the eastern portion of Vernon Parish. Two Southern Baptist Churches, along with numerous homes, and businesses sustained moderate to significant damage in the tornado’s wake. “We have called all of our churches from Pitkin to Boyce checking on them. As of right now, Gravel Hill Baptist Church in Cravins, and Marlow Baptist Church, Leesville, are the only two that sustained any damage,” said John Hebert, Louisiana Baptists’ Director of Missions and Ministry. “Gravel Hill appears to be a total loss as the fellowship hall and the parsonage wasere both destroyed. The sanctuary sustained heavy damage but we won’t know how much until an engineer can get in there in the morning. “I have spoken with Anthony (Pastor Anthony Eaves) and he is just now getting to the church … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, Director of Planned Giving ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees received good financial news all the way around at its October meeting. In reviewing operations and investment performances for the third quarter of the year, trustees learned the Foundation’s portfolio continues to see positive returns for the year with each component performing well year to date. Fixed income portfolios are performing as should be expected based on interest rate movements.   With rates low the fixed income managers are being more “defensive,” meaning the portfolios have a shorter duration than their stated benchmarks in anticipation of rates eventually moving upward. The alternative investment portion of the LBF portfolio (preferred stocks, convertible securities, MLP’s, covered calls and infrastructure) continued to add value.  All the individual segments had strong returns with the majority showing returns in the teens.  The alternative mix is designed to enhance the overall portfolio while adding diversity and reducing volatility. Equities continue their positive performance for the year with the domestic and international components meeting or exceeding their benchmarks.  Morgan … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) --The 2018 Board of Regents Fact Book reports that Louisiana College in Pineville leads  the state with the largest number of teachers alternatively prepared who earned highly effective ratings in both professional practice and student growth outcomes during 2014–2017. Amy Craig, Dean of Louisiana College’s School of Education, notes several reasons for the TEACH program’s success in a highly competitive market that include fast-track hybrid instruction, intentional mentorships, targeted instruction, and affordability. “We leverage the best of classroom and online instruction for a hybrid, fast-track approach second to none,” Craig said. “Unlike an entirely online program, we offer personal attention and an intense two weeks of face-to-face classroom interaction in the summer to help develop individual relationships and effective mentorships between student and professor that the cold sterility of a solely online program simply cannot deliver.” While all programs provide a mentor for support, LC’s TEACH provides 2 for every student – one who focuses on professional practice with the second specializing in the content of the student’s certification area. The fast-track … [Read more...]

By Steve Horn, Louisiana Baptists Executive Director ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - As my alarm radio sounded on the morning of December 13, 2003, the first thing I heard was, “Though no official word has been given, Prime Minister Tony Blair is now giving his own confirmation that Saddam Hussein has been captured.” Simultaneously my wife and I sat up in bed as if to say without words, “Did you hear that?” No snooze this morning—indeed we had heard correctly what everyone would soon know. “Have you heard the good news,” I asked the lady who sold me coffee. “Praise Jesus,” she said, “That is good news.” I walked outside the store to see the newspaperman filling his machines. He knew. In fact he was lamenting that Sadaam’s capture did not happen early enough to be in the paper. “You will sell all of your papers tomorrow,” I assured him. My next stop was an early morning prayer group. None of those men knew yet. I had the great pleasure of telling them the good news. Later that day I thought of the good news the shepherds heard that glorious night in Bethlehem. “Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the … [Read more...]