By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Celebrating the 200th church started in the state since 2010, Louisiana Baptists Executive Director David Hankins challenged and thanked church planters, urging them to not flag in their zeal and encouraging them with appreciation for the souls that have been saved because of their work to share the Gospel. Hankins made his remarks July 12 at a reception at the state convention’s ministry center in Alexandria. “I want to encourage you to institutionalize your churches,” Hankins exhorted. “Sometimes the word ‘institution’ gets a bad rap – interpreted to mean ‘staid, lifeless, cold, dead and unmoving,’” he said. “But I think ‘institution’ is a good word. It says something about strength, substance, dependability, safety, character and longevity. “That’s the kind of church I want you to plant,” Hankins continued, speaking to the group of church planters in attendance. “I want you, by God’s grace, to build a church that’s an institution, that people would look at that place where you gather for ministry and say, ‘That Baptist church is an institution of this town. We can count on it. It’s going to be there.’” “In 10 years, if the Lord hasn’t returned, and we … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE -- Louisiana College announced in December 2015 a $100K donor challenge from an alumnus who wanted others to join his efforts in underwriting campus beautification projects. Alumni and friends of LC responded, but only reached the halfway mark. After prayer and consideration, alumnus Don Hill and his wife Terry stepped up with the remaining $50,000, thus completing the $100K challenge. “This gift is transformational for the campus and helps build the spirit of community,” said Rick Brewer, president of LC. “I am profoundly grateful for the philanthropy of Don and Terry Hill. They have invested in curb appeal at LC, which is the third most significant consideration of college-bound students. While we are thankful for how the Hills’ gift will improve our campus, we are even more enthused by their example and the unified heart that inspires them.” The Hills already demonstrated their generosity toward LC when Don joined LC’s Board of Visitors in 2015 to support a scholarship fund that goes wholly and solely to qualified students. Don -- a 1964 summa cum laude alumnus of LC -- also served as Student Government Association President. His gift will fulfill a long-time goal of LC’s SGA … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE --New student numbers continue to trend upward at Louisiana College as evidenced by attendance at two pre-registration days this year. Called “Front of the Line,” these enrollment events drew a total of 226 students in 2017 as compared to 186 last year. Attendance to the June 24 Front of the Line was 63, almost double the 38 who attended in 2016. “Clearly, we have turned a corner at Louisiana College,” said Louisiana College President Rick Brewer. “Enrollment had trended downward significantly in the years before my arrival in April of 2015,” he said, “but the team we have assembled and the recruitment strategies we have employed are paying significant dividends. What we are seeing is the fruit of our labors and our gracious God’s blessings.” LC’s Front of the Line is not only a time for pre-registration, but also offers instruction on college life for incoming students and a session with parents on matters related to the college experience. Featuring numerous campus leaders, Vice President for Enrollment Management Brandon Bannon keynoted the event. While touting LC’s heritage of academic excellence and notable faculty, Bannon cited the college’s commitment to integrating … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA – It is a milestone worthy of celebrating. Louisiana Baptists will gather at the Louisiana Baptists building ready to celebrate the planting of the 200th church since 2010 July 12. By reaching this mark, it means Louisiana Baptists are two-thirds of the way toward reaching their goal of planting 300 churches by 2020. “When we started this journey, it seemed to be such a formidable task,” said John Hebert, director of the Missions and Ministry Team for Louisiana Baptists. “But through much prayer, hard work, a really good plan and God’s blessing we are not only going to meet our goal but possibly could surpass it. “We are over joyed and grateful to God for helping us to plant this many churches (200) in just seven years’ time,” Hebert continued.  “This is huge … really, really huge.” The goal was part of the President’s 2020 Commission report, affirmed by messengers during the 2013 LBC Annual Meeting in Alexandria. The report included 10 actions steps of which one was to plant 300 churches by the year 2020. “Church Planting Director James Jenkins is a wonderful partner in ministry, he is to be commended for his untiring work on helping us to reach this milestone so soon,” said Hebert. … [Read more...]