By Victor Villavieja PINEVILLE (LBM) — Louisiana College senior Lievin Manisha returned to Africa on a mission trip last Christmas break. The student from Burundi took part in an expedition that visited one of the biggest settlements of refugees in Central Africa, Nakivale Refugee Camp in Uganda, where he helped distribute backpacks to school kids, and buckets and water filters to over 100 families. Importantly, he also used the opportunity to share the Gospel with some of his 8,000 expatriated Burundian compatriots living in Nakivale. “I was very touched. I encouraged them to keep going,” Manisha recalled. “I told them that I had been in their shoes; that I am not better than them. I told them not to give up.” It was Manisha’s first visit to Africa since he moved to the United States in 2014. Manisha was 6 years old when he lost his family in the civil war between the two predominant Burundian ethnicities - the Hutu majority, and the Tutsi minority. In June 1993, after 25 years of Tutsi totalitarian regimes, Burundi’s first multi-party elections were held, and Melchior Ndadaye became the first democratically elected Hutu president. Four months later, Tutsi extremists assassinated Ndadaye and violence broke out … [Read more...]
Louisiana delegation votes to ‘STOP’ school violence
By Message Staff WASHINGTON, D.C. – All six members of Louisiana’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of the Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act, which was passed March 14 by a vote of 407-10. The legislation would provide funding for violence prevention training, greater coordination with law enforcement members and improved school security technology. Next, the bill heads to the Senate for consideration. U.S. Reps. Mike Johnson, Ralph Abraham and Steve Scalise were among 100 representatives to co-sponsor the bill. Johnson is a member of First Baptist Church in Bossier City and Abraham is a member of Alto Baptist Church. “Ensuring our children’s safety is of the utmost importance, and we are acting in Congress to ensure students are protected while at school,” Johnson said in a written statement. “Putting an end to school violence begins with noticing the warning signs and knowing how to proceed when they are present. The STOP School Violence Act educates students, school officials and local law enforcement on how to prevent tragedies before they happen. I am proud to have supported this legislation and look forward to continuing our efforts on this … [Read more...]
Louisiana College presents “The Music Man”
By Josh Landry, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE (LCNews) -- Louisiana College’s production of “The Music Man” starts this weekend and continues through next weekend The Tony nominated musical written by Meredith Willson opens Friday March 16 at 7 p.m. in LC’s Martin Performing Arts Center. Performance dates for the 1957 Tony-nominated musical are March 16,17 and 23, 24 at 7 p.m. and March 18 and 25 at 2 p.m. “The Music Man” is a musical comedy about a traveling salesman who is actually a con artist, and he gathers people in the town of Somewhere, Iowa to jump on board with him to create a boy band. Played by LC senior Jeremy Manuel, “The Music Man” uses what he calls “the think system,” wherein the con man listens to a tune and then is able to play it. Associate Professor of Theater Tabitha Huffman said the inspiration to perform the play came from band uniforms donated by Pineville High School, which had purchased new ones. “I got to raid their band closet,” Huffman said. “We have been holding on to the band uniforms because we need them for the boy band in the musical.” Huffman, who performed in “The Music Man” in high school, is directing the play and starring as Mrs. Paroo, the mother of the main character … [Read more...]
Louisiana College now accepts CLT entrance exam
PINEVILLE (LCNews) --Louisiana College now accepts the Classic Learning Test as an alternative to the ACT and SAT for certain students. And LC is slated as a test site for the April 17 Classic Learning Test (CLT). Louisiana’s TOPS program still requires the ACT or SAT, however. “Louisiana College is very pleased to announce our acceptance of the CLT as an option to other college entrance exams,” said Rick Brewer, president of LC. “We are particularly pleased to see many prestigious institutions from across the United States such as Hillsdale College, The King’s College, and Houston Baptist University among the dozens now accepting the Classic Learning Test.” Many of these institutions offer academic scholarships for students who test well on the CLT, and Louisiana College will be no exception, Brewer said. The CLT is “accessible to students from any educational background that elevates the good, the true, and the beautiful,” states CLTexam.com. “The ancient Greek philosophers stressed the same basic ideas about education that homeschool parents and classical school educators affirm today. How students learn to think, what they read, and how they live are all intricately connected. Many homeschooled students who have … [Read more...]
LC’s Preview Day registrants exceed 120
By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE (LCNews) -- Louisiana College’s Preview Day attendance has seen exponential growth since 2014, growing from double- to triple-digits. With more than 120 high school students registered for the March 24 event, Preview Day registration continues to steadily grow. “We shifted the start time from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management Fred Holt. “This makes Preview Day more convenient for our visitors who live several hours away from LC, such as those traveling from neighboring states or southeast Louisiana.” Previous days have drawn people from Colorado, California, Nevada, and as far away as Hawaii. “The growing awareness of Louisiana College’s turnaround is one reason for the increasing Preview Day attendance,” said LC President Rick Brewer. “Our innovative strategies of a flat rate tuition, creative scholarships, and the history of our outstanding academics all have intersected to bring the college further into a favorable light. These, among other reasons, are why our total enrollment for this spring is 18 percent more than last spring.” High school students of all grades, as well as transfer students, may attend Preview Day, which provides an overview … [Read more...]
Gambling Incorporated bets big on expansion in 2018 Louisiana legislative session
BATON ROUGE — Just as casinos feature sumptuous buffets to lure patrons, the Louisiana Legislature is offering a veritable smorgasbord of gaming expansion and de-regulation this session. Although "gambling" has always lurked in the shadows of Louisiana's past, because of the propensity for illegal activity and potential for corruption it was frowned upon in public policy. That changed in the 1990s. Now, favorable forces want to "modernize" the industry and may have a friend on the 4th floor of the Capitol. It should come as no surprise that Louisiana Baptists and Louisiana Family Forum (LFF) will oppose expansion as well as de-regulation of Louisiana's gambling statutes. "What some consider 'modernization' of industry regs, should not become a forfeiture of essential fiduciary responsibilities legislators hold as gambling's primary regulator. If 'modernization' involves removing the original safeguards put into place to avoid corruption, prevent proliferation, and protect residents from predatory practices, then it should be opposed," said Gene Mills, President of Louisiana Family Forum. Mills continued, "When faced with the choice between protecting Louisiana families or de-regulating gambling, it is the … [Read more...]
Leadership key to success says Curtis
By Message Staff PINEVILLE - Whether in the office building or on the battlefield, proper leadership is vital to succeeding, Louisiana National Guard Major Adjunct General Glenn Curtis told a group of businessmen and women at the First Baptist Church in Pineville. Curtis shared at the monthly First@First Business Leaders Luncheon March 5 how leadership skills influence his decisions leading more than 11,500 members serving in the Louisiana Army and Air National Guard. As Adjutant General, he is responsible for the deployment and coordination of programs, policies and plans affecting the members of the Guard. “Leadership is key no matter what you go after, whether it’s a private business or running a church or running a military operation,” Curtis told the Baptist Message before his presentation. “Inside of that, being loyal is probably the most key attribute.” Stewart Holloway, pastor of First Baptist, Pineville, was struck with the attitude of humility Curtis modeled during his presentation. “My takeaway from Major Curtis’ talk was as much from what he didn’t say as what he said,” Holloway said. “It is evident that Major Curtis is an excellent example of a humble, effective leader. We can be proud that he is … [Read more...]
Governor to host premiere of adoption documentary ahead of its online release
By Louisiana Right to Life Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards will host a Red Carpet Premiere March 6 of the short documentary adoption film “I Lived on Parker Avenue” from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge. The film is scheduled to be released online March 8 at 7 p.m. “I Lived on Parker Avenue” is a film about the life of Metairie native and current LSU law student David Scotton, who journeys to Indiana to meet his birth parents, Melissa Coles and Brian Nicholas, for the first time. The story also tells the story of David’s parents, Susan and Jimmy Scotton, who adopted David at birth. New Orleans filmmaker Philip Braun III directed the film and Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Benjamin Clapper produced it through Joie De Vivre Media and Louisiana Right to Life. “I Lived on Parker Avenue” has been showcased at the Docuslate Film Festival by Newfilmmakers Los Angeles and has been nominated for the "Best Documentary – Short Category" award. The film was also featured on a live segment on Fox & Friends. For more information on the "I Lived on Parker Avenue," visit the film website or Facebook page. … [Read more...]
Jonesboro man celebrates being new Christian, Louisiana Baptist
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer JONESBORO (LBM) – Paul Wilkerson was enjoying high times from his worldly living until early 2016 when he lost nearly everything he valued. Burdened with heartache, he began seeking hope, which he found in Jesus Christ shortly after. Wilkerson celebrated his transformed heart and life a year later by being baptized by Michael Brakefield, pastor of the Hope Chapel in Jonesboro. Brakefield spent the year teaching Wilkerson, but Wilkerson’s delay in being baptized wasn’t a factor of discipleship, but to wait until the church became an official member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention in early 2017. “I grew up in the presence of the Lord as a kid in church but I had never received it,” Wilkerson said. “I had heard the calling from the time I was little but ran from it. I was trying to fill this big massive void. I was the success story, thinking I was better than I was. “Over a matter of six months I lost everything,” he said. “I was homeless and in a position where I had no other place to turn. I was in the desert. Because I had nowhere else to turn I found the truth.” Wilkerson is one of 13 new believers baptized in 2017 at Hope Chapel. The church has grown rapidly … [Read more...]
Friday evening electrical fire damages Trinity Heights sanctuary
By Message Staff SHREVEPORT – A fire late Friday, March 2, caused moderate damage to the worship center at Trinity Baptist Church in Shreveport, but church officials are thankful no one was injured. Dan Lay, associate pastor of children and administration, told the Baptist Message the fire took place around 11 pm Friday. Lay said an electrical fire broke out in the ceiling of the worship center, where crews installed new LED lighting in the worship center during the week to replace the old incandescent system. The fire occurred in the old wiring, Lay said. The Shreveport Times reported fire crews arrived at the church shortly before 11:30 p.m. and spotted smoke from the roof of the worship center. On-scene Incident Commander, Battalion Chief K. Frazier requested a second alarm as a precautionary measure to have more available manpower and resources on hand, though they were not needed. Twenty-eight firefighters from the 10 fire crews at the scene brought the situation under control in 40 minutes. The fire was determined as accidental, according to the fire department. “By the grace of God, the installing crew was still onsite and discovered and reported the fire,” Lay said. “The fire department responded very … [Read more...]
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