By Message Staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) - Chief H. “Butch” Browning, the state fire marshal, has issued specific guidance for churches regarding how to conduct indoor, in-person worship services in accordance with state safety directives intended to protect against transmission of the novel coronavirus. The complete set of "Open Safely" instructions can be found by clicking here.   … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LC executive assistant to the president for communications and marketing PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews)—Louisiana College’s nationally accredited TEACH certification program goes 100 percent online this summer in response to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. Students usually travel from all corners of Louisiana to the Pineville campus to earn teaching credentials, but now the trip will be via computer, not car. The digital move of Louisiana College’s fast track TEACH program should appeal to those who seek certification but are apprehensive about travel bans and social distancing, said Dr. Amy Craig, Dean of the School of Education at LC. “The online approach helps answer these concerns and adds to the advantages we offer.” Louisiana’s 2020 Elementary Teacher of the Year Jessica Borlund said, “Through LC’s TEACH/MAT program, I fulfilled my dream of becoming a teacher, enhanced my educational skills, and built upon my knowledge of classroom strategies.” Borlund described LC’s atmosphere as “caring and intentional. The professors were always available to guide and encourage me as I needed it.” Exclusive to Louisiana College is that successful TEACH completers may apply all 21 hours of the practitioner … [Read more...]

By Erich Bridges RICHMOND, Va. - Retired Southern Baptist missionary Gladys (“Glad”) Martin, a farmer’s daughter from Louisiana bayou country who helped lead thousands of prison inmates and students to Christ during more than 30 years in Thailand, died May 8 following a stroke. She was 81. Alongside her husband and missionary partner, Jack, she pioneered ministry to Thai prisoners, perhaps the most hated and rejected members of society in the overwhelmingly Buddhist nation. The Martins’ determination to give inmates hope -- and the message of a God of second chances -- eventually won the respect and cooperation of national prison authorities and the admiration of Thailand’s royal family. Jack, an outgoing visionary and passionate soul winner, was the face of the prison ministry and the bustling Baptist Student Center in Bangkok, which trains more than 10,000 Thai professionals and college students each year in English and the Gospel. But as he cheerfully acknowledged in later years, the better-organized Glad often was the brains. They made an ideal team. “Dad gets a lot of the credit for what Mom actually did,” recalled their youngest son, Craig, who watched them in action before going on to his own media ministry … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)–Via Dropbox and video messages Louisiana Baptist Convention entity heads delivered their respective reports to the Executive Board, May 5. LOUISIANA COLLEGE Louisiana College President Rick Brewer told board members that God is working despite challenges presented by the novel coronavirus pandemic. He shared that the school has received more than $15,000 toward production of a 3D printer to make frames for the protective face shields that are in demand by hospitals and clinics. Natalie Maxey, an assistant professor of engineering at Louisiana College, has used an on-campus lab to make the shields since March 25. “Almost every minute of almost every hour she is making essential items that we are sending to places like Lafayette, places here in central Louisiana, places around our state who need this protective equipment and who will continue to need it,” Brewer said. Another innovation has been to shift all instruction online, March 30, to facilitate remote learning – a move made possible by a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Brewer said the school received the grant in 2019, and saved Louisiana College more than $100,000 in … [Read more...]

By Message Staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – The Acteens at First Baptist Church in Pineville were moved by the growing number of needs in their community arising from the lockdown due to the novel coronavirus; and, overcoming the obstacle of social distancing formulated and implemented a creative plan to share Christ's love with 250 local residents. The group of 16 seventh to twelfth grade girls made and mailed cards to church staff, Sunday school leaders and homebound single and senior adults, and they also crafted uplifting signs that were placed on the windows of each of the 100 residents of the Lexington House Care Center in Alexandria. Adrienne Martin, leader of the FBCP Acteens group, said her girls have lived out the mission of this ministry. “I’m so proud of the girls for their willingness to bring God’s message of hope and love during this difficult time,” Martin told the Baptist Message. Jess Archer, children/youth missions strategist for Louisiana Baptists, said she is encouraged by Acteens in the state who are serving their community. “Being that we are living in unprecedented times through self-quarantine, Acteens have stepped up to the plate to reach others in Jesus’s name,” Archer said. “I’m delighted … [Read more...]