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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Pregnancy Center expanding into Avoyelles Parish April 9

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MARKSVILLE – The effort to protect more unborn babies just got a shot in the arm with the announcement that Avoyelles Parish will soon have a pregnancy center of its own April 9. The 600-sq.-ft. facility, located at 115 Ferdinand Street in Marksville, will be the first of its kind in Avoyelles Parish. The center, which will be a satellite of the Cenla Pregnancy Center in Alexandria, will operate Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will offer pregnancy decision coaching by trained advocates, free pregnancy tests, information about pregnancy options, maternity and physical resources and post-decision support including parenting education and post-abortive healing. Center leaders hope to purchase an ultrasound machine once they can raise the necessary funds. Heidi Peavy, who has worked as office manager at the Cenla Pregnancy Center since it opened in December 2017, will be at the helm when the center opens. “Many of the women think they have no other option other than abortion, and we are here to make sure they know that there is another option other than abortion,” Peavy said. “We have gotten a sense the community is open and supportive of a pregnancy center … [Read more...]

SBTS’ Greenway to lead SWBTS

By Will Hall, Message Editor FORT WORTH, Texas (LBM)--Adam W. Greenway, dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Ministry at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has been unanimously selected by the search committee of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as their presidential nominee. A SWBTS press release noted that Greenway, 41, has served in many denominational leadership roles, including vice chairman of the Southern Baptist Convention Evangelism Task Force (2018), president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention (2011-2012), trustee and board chairman for LifeWay Christian Resources (2005-2015), and current chairman of the SBC Committee on Order of Business. Greenway also was credited with leading the SBTS Billy Graham School since 2013 to become the largest graduate school at any SBC seminary. As dean he has led the school to grow from 1,381 students, including 501 Master of Divinity candidates, to 2,138 total students, with 994 enrolled in the master’s program. He is an SWBTS alumnus, having earned the Master of Divinity in 2002 before completing a doctorate in evangelism and apologetics at SBTS in 2007. SBTS’ SBC INFLUENCE GROWS Greenway joins an extensive list of SBTS … [Read more...]

Oak Hill student wins prestigious Smith scholarship to Louisiana College

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE (LCNews) -- Louisiana College held its annual Smith Scholarship competition Saturday, January 26, with 23 entrants. Oak Hill High School senior Samantha Aaron took top prize: a scholarship to LC that includes tuition, books, room, and board. "I was just praying to God, asking him to give me clarity," Aaron said. "And if this was what he wanted from me that he would give me that clarity. Then they said my name, and I just couldn't believe that I was so blessed with this opportunity." Aaron is a dual enrollment student at LC and said she was “excited to continue my studies, here.” She will pursue a Missions and Ministries degree but hasn’t chosen a specific occupation yet. “I will do whatever God would like me to do,” she said. “I’ve already taken some Missions and Ministry courses here through dual enrollment and I can’t get enough.” A member of Homewood Baptist Church in Alexandria, Aaron said when she first became a Christian she “felt the call to talk to people about God. That call is for every Christian, but mine was a deeper call than just the average.” “We are very thankful for the students who honored us by entering the competition,” said Louisiana College President Dr. Rick … [Read more...]

Gary Cook assists in LC trustee development

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE (LCNews) -- The chancellor of Dallas Baptist University Gary Cook addressed Louisiana College trustees at their January 22 meeting as part of the college’s ongoing trustee development. Cook reflected on the state of DBU when was elected president in 1988, saying the school faced significant debt, had no building projects in 18 years, had difficulty making payroll, and faced more than 30 recommendations from its accrediting body. “Two faculty members hired a detective to check me out,” he said. And a science professor met with Cook to check out his aura, which was the “acceptable” blue hue. A survivor of leukemia, Cook said his first five years at DBU were far more difficult than enduring cancer treatments. “Things were not just perfect, there. And what happened there has happened elsewhere,” he said, alluding to several issues Louisiana College has overcome since Rick Brewer was unanimously elected president in 2015. “I am so glad it goes well, here,” he added. “I hear nothing but good things about Louisiana College.” Cook cited the book “The Dying of the Light,” which chronicles the many Christian colleges and universities that abandoned the Christian faith upon which they were … [Read more...]

McGee’s long, noteworthy LC career wraps up December 31

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE -- In the minds of many people -- many hundreds of people -- Byron McGee is a name synonymous with Louisiana College perhaps because he invested 35 years of his life on the Hill in Pineville. More than that, McGee -- a 1979 LC alumnus -- worked in Louisiana College’s admissions office for more than three decades, also worked in alumni relations, and concluded his tenure with three years as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “In one sense it seems like 35 years have passed, and in another it seems just like yesterday,” said McGee, whose last official day is Dec. 31. “I’ve made some great friends and worked with great colleagues. The people working here now are doing a great job under Dr. Brewer’s leadership.” “The relationships I have made over the years mean the most to me. I met my wife Cay here. All my children went to school here. It’s been a great time. Louisiana College has been my life, and I will cherish the memories very much,” he said. “Byron went from recruiting thousands of students to hundreds of donors,” said Rick Brewer, Louisiana College president. “He’s done a great job. He’s one of the most easy-going people I’ve ever worked with. The past three years of … [Read more...]

50th anniversary of Apollo 8 Christmas at the moon

By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – Violence in the streets, racial tensions and a clash in social values mark a divide in the nation in 2018, but such turmoil also framed 1968, when the world was rocked by upheavals on a number of levels. Like now, there was a sense of “heaviness” across the country and the globe. But as the year drew to a close, NASA sent three men into space – the first time humans had broken free of the earth’s gravitational pull – mesmerizing the world as their space capsule circled the moon ten times as a prelude mission to a lunar landing by Apollo 11 the next year. The crew of Apollo 8 -- astronauts Jim Lovell, Bill Anders, and Frank Borman -- pose in their spacesuits in front of the Kennedy Space Center simulator in this NASA file shot. Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon, entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1968. That evening, Houston time, the astronauts held a live broadcast while orbiting the moon, showed pictures of the Earth and moon as seen from their spacecraft. They ended the broadcast by reading from the book of Genesis. NASA file photo. The crew of Air Force Colonel Frank Borman (mission commander), Navy Captain James A. Lovell Jr. (command … [Read more...]

LBC Executive Director Search Committee seeks candidates

ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- The Louisiana Baptist Convention’s 15-member Executive Director Search Committee held its first meeting Nov. 27, focusing on prayer but also completing the first actions of official business, according to a press release from the committee. Members elected Waylon Bailey, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington, as chair, and began developing a profile of the type of candidate they are seeking to lead Louisiana Baptists. Bailey, who also is president of the LBC Executive Board, told the Baptist Message the committee understands the near “impossibility” of pleasing everyone. But he said, “We want to do our very best for the future of our state. Our state needs Louisiana Baptists in order to be its very best.” The committee will nominate a successor to LBC Executive Director David Hankins, who announced Nov. 2 his plans to retire June 30, 2019. The LBC Executive Board will vote on the nominee, as stated in the state convention’s Articles of Incorporation. Bailey said the process for Southern Baptists to recommend candidates, or, for interested individuals to apply, is a simple one. Names and resumes should be emailed to Bailey at lbcexedirsearch@gmail.com or sent via postal mail to “Dr. … [Read more...]

Bob Anderson, former pastor and founder of Parkview Baptist School, passes away

BATON ROUGE -- Robert E. "Bro. Bob" Anderson, longtime pastor of Parkview Baptist Church and the founder of one of Louisiana’s largest private schools, Parkview Baptist, passed away on Dec. 13. The 84-year-old Anderson, who had battled Parkinson's disease for seven years, died at his home surrounded by family. Born April 29, 1934, his mother Edith died of tuberculosis just eleven months later. Bob and his brothers were taken in by his paternal grandmother. A Shreveport native, Anderson committed his life to Jesus Christ at a crusade meeting led by the Rev. Billy Graham in 1951. He graduated from East Texas Baptist University, received his masters of divinity from Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate from the International Bible Institute and Seminary. In 1951, 17-year-old Bob went with his Fair Park High football team to hear a young evangelist named Billy Graham speak in Shreveport. "I went forward and gave my heart to Christ," he said later. "Jesus became very real to me." So real, in fact, he answered the call to become a minister. His team won the state championship the next year. This began a life of winning from winning the heart of his high school sweetheart, Rochelle Reeves, whom he … [Read more...]

Bomb threat to LBC Building determined a hoax

By Staff, Louisiana Baptist Message ALEXANDRIA (LBM) -- The Louisiana Baptist Building received a bomb threat via email a little after noon today according to Louisiana Baptists Director of Communications John Kyle. "The email was time stamped around 12:19 p.m. and I noticed it around 12:40," Kyle said. "I immediately notified our chief information officer and her staff, who in turn notified the Alexandria Police Department." The APD responded along with other local and federal law enforcement officials and found nothing suspicious after thoroughly inspecting the building. "Later, the APD informed us that several institutions in Alexandria and across the country received similar emails," Kyle said. … [Read more...]

Battery backup system caused First Bossier fire

By Staff, Louisiana Baptist Message BOSSIER CITY – Fire investigators have determined Monday’s devastating fire on the campus of First Baptist Church in Bossier City was caused by an uninterruptible power supply battery back-up for a computer. According to a news release from the Bossier City fire department, based on fire patterns at the scene, the Dec. 10 fire began in an office space near Faith Chapel - the original worship center - before rapidly spreading to the attic and other buildings on the property. The determination was made following an extensive examination of the scene by investigators with the Bossier City Fire Department, the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Members and staff of First Bossier gathered Wednesday, Dec. 12, inside the Bossier Civic Center to pray, worship and prepare for recovery. They were joined by a number of community leaders, including Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker and Bossier City Fire Chief Brad Zagone. “What a powerful evening last night for our church as we gathered at the Bossier City Civic Center,” said Pastor Brad Jurkovich in a Dec. 13 statement to his congregation that was also shared with the Baptist … [Read more...]