By Elizabeth Clarke, LC News PINEVILLE, La. (LC News) - From a college class of about 300 in small-town Louisiana, to working with Amazon to deliver smiles. Life since graduating from Louisiana College in 2018 has been nothing short of an adventure for Lake Charles’ natives Grant and Lauren (Hixson) Phillips. Grant and Lauren Phillips, both 25, say honoring the Lord and having a loving family with a supportive community have brought continued blessings into their young but successful lives. “We are proud of Grant and Lauren as they represent the ‘best’ of Louisiana College’s alumni base,” said LC President Rick Brewer. “Indeed, they faithfully amplify the Mission and Vision of their Alma mater by living the gospel of Christ in the place God has called them to serve. I am confident Grant and Lauren are the people they are because of a solid Christian example from Godly parents and the LC ‘family’.” Family may have played a major role in young Lauren Hixson’s choice to attend LC, as she hails from a long line of LC alums. Her great-grandfather James Hixon was, in fact, one of the founding language professors at the college. Her aunt and uncle, Sandy and Paul Hixson, attended LC, and cousins Meggie and Emma Hixson … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer ANCHORAGE, Alaska (LBM) – David Gamble has served as a church planter with the North American Mission Board for the last 10 years in Anchorage, Alaska, but he told the Baptist Message that he is constantly reminded about his roots by the continuing encouragement he receives from his home congregation of Wood Springs Baptist Church in Grand Cane. Before Gamble and his wife, Kristi, relocated to Alaska, WSBC provided financial support to help the couple prepare for the journey northwest, he said. Since the couple moved there, WSBC has shipped a trailer for use in the ministry, contributed money to help refurbish a mission hub that teams use while in Anchorage and the nearby Wasilla area, and mailed or emailed hundreds of notes. “They encourage us in so many ways,” Gamble told the Baptist Message. “We are enjoying our time here and love serving the Lord in Alaska, but there’s something special -- even 10 years after moving up here -- when somebody from your home church encourages you. Sometimes you feel alone and forgotten on the mission field, but then we get re-energized when you hear from people in Louisiana who ask how they can pray for you.” The Grand Cane congregation … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – John Sefcik occasionally attended church and some days even read his Bible for the first 49 years of his life, but he had not been “all in” for Jesus, he told the Baptist Message. But the Holy Spirit used a conversation with Kevin Paul, His Church associate pastor, that brought Sefcik under conviction to repent and become a devoted follower of Christ. He publicly shared about his spiritual decision, along with 39 other new converts, during a special baptism service sponsored by His Church, June 6, at Lake Buhlow in Pineville. “When I look back, I realized God has been pursuing me all my life,” Sefcik said. “I had forgotten about God, then COVID hit and difficult circumstances brought me to my knees. The more I got into the Bible and fellowshipped with others, the more my attitude changed about life. I thought I was doing the right things, but eventually understood what being a Christ follower was all about. I’m glad God didn’t give up on pursuing me all these years.” MORE GOOD NEWS For member Gil McKee, baptizing his two sons was an early Father’s Day present. Both Gabriel, 10, and Caleb, 11, had soaked in biblical truths from him and their mother, … [Read more...]