By Journey Church PINEVILLE, La. (Journey Church) – Journey Church will host a two-day Easter-themed event, March 30-31, complete with egg hunts, crafts, food trucks, photo booths for family pictures and jumpers for the children. “Each year, we strive to bring the message of Easter to life in a way that resonates with everyone, from the youngest child to the oldest member of our community,” explained Children’s Pastor Steven Roberts. “This year, we’re excited to offer something truly special, blending worship with family-centered activities, including a drama about Jesus’ love and sacrifice presented by the children.” DAY OF CELEBRATION, COMMUNITY The celebration at Journey Church, located at 2900 Donahue Ferry Rd., Pineville, will include Easter services (March 30, 5 p.m., and March 31, 8:30, 10 and 11:30 a.m.) The community also will be invited to attend various activities planned throughout the weekend: an egg hunt featuring more than 5,000 eggs; photo booths; crafts for children; giveaways for children and adults; petting zoo; the Easter bunny; silent auction; food trucks; and bounce houses. "We believe that by creating a space where worship and community intersect, we can offer a deeper, more meaningful … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - David Jeffreys has been named acting president of Louisiana Christian University by the board of trustees, following the March 8 retirement announcement of Rick Brewer, LCU’s ninth president. “Prior to this assignment, he served in an executive leadership role at the university, gaining substantial knowledge about its operations and objectives,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Anthony Bunting. “On behalf of the board, we would like to congratulate Dr. Jeffreys on his appointment and look forward to his leadership in continuing the vision and mission of the university.” Jeffreys has served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the university under Brewer since January 2022. “I know Louisiana Christian University is in faithful and capable hands as David Jeffreys steps into the role of interim president,” Brewer said. “For the past two years, he has been an invaluable asset with resource development, facilities management, denominational relations, strategic planning and special projects.” Brewer also worked with Jeffreys during his six-year tenure on the board of trustees Jeffreys holds a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer CAP HAITIEN, Haiti (LBM) – Urgent prayers have been issued for the safe return of two Louisiana Reach Haiti Children’s Village staff members who are trapped in Port-au-Prince, the capitol city of a country that has seen recent explosion of gang activity. Ministry President Darrin Badon told the Baptist Message that the staff members were visiting family members when the most recent explosion of violence occurred and have been trapped since. Badon said that the children and other staff at the Children’s Village are safe in Cap Haitien, a city located 85 miles north of Port-au-Prince. However, he said the airport in the city is closed and they are starting to see shortages of food and goods that come from Port-au-Prince. The ministry is a partnership between the Louisiana Baptist Convention, Haiti Baptist Convention, Louisiana Baptist churches and the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries. “There are no flights or bus service, so the two staff members can’t get out of Port-au-Prince,” Badon said. “This is our biggest prayer request now.  Pray for these two ladies to remain safe, for God to meet their physical needs and for God to find a way to get … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff WASHINGTON (LBM) – Two Louisianans were among the special guests invited to attend the annual State of the Union address, March 7. House Speaker Mike Johnson invited his pastor, John Fream, while Sen. Bill Cassidy invited Louisiana Right to Life Director Ben Clapper. The State of the Union address is delivered each year by the president of the United States to a joint session of the United States Congress. Fream, pastor of Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, said he interacted with Johnson multiple times this week, including at a lunch and prayer time inside the House chapel on March 6 and during a reception prior to the State of the Union address. “Mike and (his wife) Kelly love the Lord deeply and praying with them meant the world to them,” Fream told the Baptist Message. “It was such an honor to be there to support my friends Speaker Johnson and his wife. Cypress Baptist Church is so proud of the Speaker and stand with them in prayer. To be there for such a big part of history was a chance of a lifetime. God bless this nation and our leaders.” Clapper said he was excited to attend the event on behalf of all those who support the pro-life movement. “It was an honor to attend the State of … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Student ministry leaders and Baptist Collegiate Ministry campus directors were motivated to develop a strategy to help them continue discipleship of high school seniors as they embark for college or the workforce during the Forum. Held Feb. 23 at the Baptist Building in Alexandria, the Forum featured encouraging messages from keynote speakers Brian Mills, pastor of Together We Church, Yukon, Okla., and Anthony Vargas, student pastor at Together We Church, and a time of fellowship for the 36 student ministry leaders and eight BCM campus directors. Louisiana Baptist Youth Strategist Lee Myers said many churches report that seniors “check out” of their youth group and church before graduation and he hoped the Forum provided some tools to help them bridge that gap. “This year’s event was targeted towards the great senior drop-off that happens each spring,” Myers said. We wanted to address the issue of 12th graders in our ministries checking out before they head off to college or the work force. It was important that we have that conversation as Louisiana Baptists. We want to lead seniors to finish strong and stay involved in church and collegiate … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – First through sixth grade boys will hit the fast lane with Christ during the 2024 Royal Ambassador Congress, March 22-23, at the Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center, according to organizers. Keeping in step with the race car theme, the event will feature go kart racing, pit row (how to change a tire), classic car show and an encouraging message by “Champion Chaplain” Allen Huffman, the 2023 Southeast Super Truck Series champion. RA Congress also will include a Pinewood Derby, soap box races, breakout sessions with missionaries and a Gospel presentation. “RAs is a mission education ministry which seeks to teach and engage boys in first through sixth grade in missions,” said Louisiana Baptist Ministry and Disaster Relief Strategist Stan Statham told the Baptist Message. “One of the sessions will offer the RAs a chance to paint small wooden cars and pack them in gift bags with Christian-themed coloring books and crayons for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.” For more information or to download a registration form, please visit the RA Congress website. … [Read more...]

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University convergence media and public relations students recently swept the Southeast Journalism Conference on-site awards, Feb. 25. The students placed second in the overall number of awards given and brought home seven first place awards and a total of 14 top-three finishes. “Ecstatic doesn’t even come close to how proud I am of our entire team,” said Elizabeth Clarke, chair of the Department of Media and Communication. “These students earned so much validation for their hard work. LCU is the smallest member school in SEJC, and this shows the quality of education and time our faculty have to invest in our students, and it pays off when they are committed to their craft like these students are.” Nine students attended SEJC at Troy University in Troy, Alabama, Feb. 23-25, and participated in on-site competitions against students from other universities across the Southeast. The following LCU students placed: Victoria Watson – Arts and Entertainment Photography, third place; Nathan Roper – Arts and Entertainment Radio Reporting, third place; Cayden Walls – Arts and Entertainment TV Reporting, first place; Cayden Walls – Feature TV … [Read more...]