By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Comedian Mike Goodwin delivered many laughs and life lessons during the 4th Annual Dr. Maggie Martin Marketplace Leadership Summit, April 14, at Louisiana Christian University. Known for his ability to make his audiences laugh, learn and grow, Goodwin offered attendees a refreshingly clean brand of authentic humor, drawing on everyday life experiences. Following a hilarious comedy set, Goodwin finished with some inspirational remarks for leaders. “Mike has taken his talent that God has given him and parlayed it into something that also lifts the hearts and minds of people,” said LCU President Mark Johnson. Goodwin said he has only gotten to where he is in life by the grace of God and through good leadership along the way. He encouraged the crowd, as believers in Christ, to have joy. “Joy is a fruit of the spirit,” he said. “It’s incumbent upon us to be some of the most joyous people on Earth. Fill yourselves with joy. Sorrow doesn’t care about your schedule, so make sure you’re full of joy.” He offered three tips for those in leadership positions in their organizations and families. Be diligent. He encouraged attendees to be diligent in everything … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University honors students presented research at the 6th Annual C.S. Lewis Honors Forum, April 11. Ten students presented at this year’s forum. “It is a privilege to see our C. S. Lewis Honors Students' projects come to a fruitful conclusion at the C. S. Lewis Honors Forum,” said Sarah Payne, director of the C.S. Lewis Honors Program. “I continue to be impressed with the students and their dedication to academic excellence and growth in their chosen fields.” Sarah Grace Becker, a senior elementary education major from Springtown, Texas, presented “The Think Aloud Strategy: Modeling Thoughts in 4th Grade ELA.” The goal of Becker’s research was to assess the effectiveness of the think-aloud strategy for elementary students in both large and small groups during lessons about finding evidence and matching claims to evidence. Becker’s immediate plan after graduation is to teach elementary school. Samuel Hair, a senior public relations major from Sulphur, presented “Phantom Terror: How a Public Relations Meltdown Turned Three Mile Island into a Disaster.” Hair’s research examined the 1979 mechanical failure at the Three Mile Island … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - “Would you ever be able to catch someone in a lie if there was no truth?” Renowned Christian apologist Frank Turek asked the crowd, April 7, inside Louisiana Christian University’s Guinn Auditorium. Turek, founder of CrossExamined.org and host of the program “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist” addressed four questions. Does truth exist? Does God exist? Are miracles possible? Is the New Testament true? He said we live in a relativist post-modern world today, where some people argue that all truth is relative. However, there can’t be “my truth” or “your truth,” only “the truth.” “Instead of teaching kids how to think, we are teaching them what to feel,” he said. “So many things you hear today violate the law of non-contradiction.” The law of non-contradiction states that two opposing ideas cannot both be true. For example, the statement “there isn’t the truth, only my truth.” If there is no truth, then that statement can’t be the truth. “There’s only one answer to ‘Jesus Christ rose from the dead.’ It doesn’t matter if you believe it or not,” Turek said. “Do you have to believe in gravity to stay on the ground? Do people who don’t … [Read more...]

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) - The Louisiana Athletic Club will celebrate its 25th birthday, April 9 at 10 a.m. Among the activities planned are cake, door prizes, including LAC merchandise and memberships, and zero-enrollment-fee memberships with a 12-month contract for $25 per month. … [Read more...]

By LCU News, Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University will hold its first SENDLA event, March 24. The event, which is a phonetic play on the familiar CENLA for Central Louisiana, is rooted in the call of Matthew 28, where Jesus commands His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations.” The program will take place each semester as the campus community steps out together in service. In partnership with local nonprofits, students and faculty will spread throughout the parish to minister in practical and relational ways, showing the Gospel in action. Participating organizations include First Baptist Church, Pineville; Philadelphia Baptist Church, Horseshoe Drive, Alexandria; Family of Grace Church, Alexandria; the Hope House, Alexandria; Fostering Community, Alexandria; the Food Bank of Central Louisiana; First Baptist Church, Ball; Main Street Mission, Pineville; Rapides Parish Library System; CENLA Pregnancy Center, Alexandria; Pineville Park Baptist Church, Pineville; and Faith Baptist Church, Tioga. In addition, LCU President Mark Johnson will lead a group of students to visit with residents in the neighboring community. The Louisiana Baptist Convention and Send Network … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University alumnus and Sports Hall of Famer Mattie Stine stepped into the role of head softball coach this season, and she said that some of the most important and lasting wins have happened off the field. “Stepping into the head coach role at LCU has been both humbling and incredibly meaningful,” Stine said. “God often places us in new positions to grow us beyond what feels comfortable, and this season has stretched me in all the right ways.” She said that coming back to a place that shaped her as a student-athlete makes this opportunity deeply personal, and she is grateful. “While the title has changed, my heart has not,” Stine said. “My goal has always remained the same: to love these young women well and to keep Christ as the foundation of everything we do. "Wins and losses will come and go, but we are building a culture rooted in faith, love for each other and servant leadership," she continued. "I want our players to know they are valued for who they are, not just what they produce on the field. I want our players to love each other well and to go out and love others well.” Before taking on the role of head coach, Stine was … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University has launched a new podcast, featuring LCU President Mark Johnson and his wife, Heather. The eight-episode first season of the P356 podcast debuts this spring, with episodes released biweekly. “This came about because of my travels, meeting people across the nation and who are part of the Wildcat Nation,” President Johnson said. “It gives us the opportunity to sit down with amazing alumni and highlight some of the great things they are doing and make connections with them.” The conversations will be built around the four pillars of worship, scholarship, stewardship and leadership from Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. “We have built connections with people in our world—together and separately, and we are excited to share those with listeners,” Heather Johnson said. Heather said one of the key messages she hopes listeners will take away from the podcast is encouragement for their Christian daily walk. Podcasting technology gives believers another way to access biblical messages and hear from other believers living … [Read more...]