By staff, Wildcat Media PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) - Louisiana College will host two events to celebrate Black History Month in February. The school will host a symposium Feb. 2 and a Gospel concert Feb. 16. Both events will take place at 6 p.m. inside Guinn Auditorium. “Recently, Niche.com recognized Louisiana College as the second most diverse college or university in Louisiana,” said Louisiana College President Rick Brewer. “The beauty of that fact is that this has happened not by a specific strategy but by people of all ethnicities desiring the Christ-centered educational experience we offer. At Louisiana College we celebrate our diversity by daily living out our Mission and Vision.” “We really have something precious here at LC,” said Joshua Joy Dara, associate vice president for engagement and enrichment. Just look at the facts, our student body is diverse, our faculty is diverse, our staff is diverse, our coaches are diverse, our leadership is diverse and even our SGA is diverse.” Panelists for the symposium will include: -- Juan Castro, professor of finance and economics, from Honduras -- Emmanuel Johnson, associate professor of social work, from India -- Neil Johnson, associate professor of English, from … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- Despite COVID-19 restrictions, pro-life supporters still found a way to band together at 32 locations statewide Jan. 23 to declare their love for life. Originally, the annual life marches were scheduled to take place around the state over a three-week period in January and February, but novel coronavirus pandemic concerns caused organizers to alter the format to a one-day, social-distanced life chain event for “Stand for Life, Louisiana.” Only the Baton Rouge event included a program that featured messages, music and prayer. Ben Clapper, executive director for Louisiana Right to Life, told the Baptist Message that while they did not have an official attendance count, he estimated more than 1,000 people turned out for the life chains. "Even in the face of the Covid pandemic, pro-lifers in Louisiana cannot sit idly by why abortion continues to take the lives of Louisiana babies,” Clapper said. “It is inspiring that more than 31 groups gathered to stand for life in their communities.  While we couldn't march this year as we normally do, we know that our march continues daily to save every baby and help every mother." Brian Gunter, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pollock who … [Read more...]

By Staff, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, LA (LBM) -- An act of generosity that began with a $100 scholarship for one Baton Rouge teenager has multiplied many times over during the last 60 years to affect countless young people at Louisiana College. Don Hill, president of DMH & Associates, a company that provides consulting and marketing services to clients in the financial services industry, said that $100 was enough back in 1960 to tilt the scales for him, and he enrolled in Louisiana College to study math and business. As a high school senior, Hill was given a $100 scholarship to attend Louisiana College, and that settled his college decision. “My whole life has been God leading me,” he said. “Louisiana College was the right spot for me.” Since then, Hill, a 1964 summa cum laude LC graduate, with his wife Terry, have spent their lives giving back. The Hills have been providing scholarships for five LC students each year for several years now through the Board of Visitors Scholarship Fund started by the school’s president, Rick Brewer, in 2015. The Hills were founding members. They also have used various ways to give back to LC from cash donations--from donating appreciated stocks to making Qualified … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer JOYCE, La. (LBM) – Hurricane Laura damaged the fellowship hall of Union Baptist Church in Joyce, Aug. 27, leaving the congregation of 30 active members to seek God’s help in rebuilding the facility. Five weeks after the storm blew a tree on top of the facility, their prayers were answered. Throughout November, as the result of organizing efforts by leaders of the North Central Baptist Association, the congregations of First Baptist Church in Calvin, First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Winnfield and Sweetwater Baptist Church in Quitman sent volunteers to remodel the kitchen and replace the roof. Members of Atlanta Baptist Church, Bethlehem Baptist Church in Winnfield, Quitman Baptist Church, South Winnfield Baptist Church and Welcome Home Baptist Church in Dodson also provided meals each day for the volunteers. Pastor Mike Green told the Baptist Message he was encouraged that so many churches stepped up and modeled the body of Christ in action for those in need. “My hat goes off to everyone who gave up their time and resources to come out and help us out,” Green said. “They were a great Godsend when we needed a helping hand.” Craig James, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer COTTON VALLEY, La. (LBM) – The 10 active members of Cornerstone Baptist Church were finalizing plans to close in late 2019, meeting with Webster-Claiborne Baptist Association Director of Missions Randy Hales to share their desire that the property would continue to be used for ministry after they disbanded. For several months the association, which was given ownership of the campus, resisted offers to sell the facility, believing God would provide a church to continue ministry efforts at the former Cornerstone Baptist site. Then in July, Unity Baptist Church in Cotton Valley approached Hales with the idea of using the assets as a community ministry hub. Two months later, the location was brought back to life. Since Unity Baptist launched the ministry center in September, they have hosted a prayer gathering, organized two food distribution events and invited an African-American congregation, formerly affiliated with the Methodist Church, to meet in the facility every Sunday. Gene Gibson, pastor of Unity Baptist, said the community of 1,000 has embraced the effort. “The community absolutely loves this,” he said. “They have stopped by the church office to ask when the next food … [Read more...]

By Staff, Wildcats media PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) -- Louisiana College has been named a Top 30 Christian College by BestValueSchools.org, a research and resource group committed to helping prospective students and families find the best colleges and universities that meet their educational needs and maximize the student experience. Louisiana College President Rick Brewer said he is pleased for the college to be recognized nationally by BestValueSchools.org. “The Best Value School ranking validates the efforts of LC’s world-class faculty, students and staff,” he said. “We are grateful for this ranking as it demonstrates our commitment to Christ-centered academic excellence, our affordability, our diversity, and our unparalleled commitment to teaching." Brewer praised the faculty and staff for this prestigious ranking. “It is a privilege to serve alongside so many wonderful colleagues and to serve the student body of Louisiana College as we achieve our mission together of preparing graduates and delivering a transformational Christian higher education experience,” he said. BestValueSchools.org uses tuition costs, graduation rates, student-to-faculty rations, and other statistics from the U.S. Department of Education as … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer BOSSIER CITY, La. (LBM) – Pastors and congregation members will ask God to intervene for a nation facing uncertain times during the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association’s sixth annual “Call to Prayer” Jan. 31, 6 p.m., at Airline Baptist Church, Bossier City. “Our churches will come together to ask God to create in me a clean heart, create in us a holy church, create in civil authorities righteousness and integrity, and create healing in those who are broken & hurting,” Director of Missions Lane Moore told the Baptist Message. Additionally, the Call to Prayer will include a special emphasis on health care workers. A nurse and physician from Willis-Knighton Health System in Shreveport/Bossier City will share words of appreciation to the association, and participants will have an opportunity to express their gratitude for the dedication and hard work of health care workers throughout COVID-19. While COVID-19 restrictions will prevent participants from gathering in small groups around the worship center, Moore said the spirit of prayer will be the same as previous Call to Prayer events. “We have so much to pray for in this current time in which we live,” Moore said. “Lord … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Matthew Hurst was a long-time skeptic of Christianity with little desire to follow the ways of the Lord when he met his roommate, Jonathan Jenkins, in August. Soon afterward, the two University of Louisiana-Monroe students developed a friendship that God used to soften Hurst’s heart to the Gospel. Through a series of spiritual conversations, Jenkins, a member of the Well Church in Monroe, answered Hurst’s questions about Jesus, causing Hurst to become a fully devoted follower of Christ. Hurst, along with three other new converts, shared about their transformations during a special baptism/one-year anniversary service attended by 51 people at the Well Church Jan. 3. “Seeing Jonathan’s passion, strength and faith in Christ along with answering all the questions reopened my eyes,” Hurst told the Baptist Message. “It lit a fire in me, and I started reading the Bible every morning and became motivated to learn who God truly is. “It was actually a little nerve racking to be baptized because of everybody watching, but easy at the same time because they were all excited for me,” Hurst said. “All glory goes to God in that moment of going in the water and coming … [Read more...]