By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON – Business is booming for the Rolling Hills Ministries’ thrift stores with no signs of slowing in sight. Unexpected warm weather in February not only caused an early need for donations in the thrift stores, but the demand has also spilled over into Monroe – the future site of a new thrift store ministry location. The ministry has purchased land at 5339 Desiard St. in Monroe to construct its fourth thrift store. A possible ground breaking is scheduled for April, with a projected completion date of late December. Financial donations for making a difference in Monroe are being accepted for the $1.8 million thrift store ministry center. Once complete, the 14,000-sq.-ft. store will provide clothes, furniture and other items at a deeply discounted price. The Rolling Hills Ministries’ Monroe thrift store ministry center will be partnering with the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, and will be offering a career center where women will learn job readiness skills, life skills and receive spiritual guidance. “Our hope is the ladies will gain spiritual and educational assistance through the career center, and develop needed skills by volunteering in the thrift store ,” said … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer TROUT – A year after floodwaters destroyed the nearly 100-year-old building which serves the congregation of Zenoria Baptist Church, members celebrated the remarkable progress that has been made on a new facility. Friends and neighbors from around the community, including congregants of other area churches, gathered with the saints of Zenoria Baptist, March 11, 2017, to commemorate how nearly 80 Kingdom Builders literally raised a new building from the slab up over the course of a five-day period. Located at 3133 Hwy. 500 in Trout, the new worship center will seat 138, and there will be classrooms and a fellowship hall when the structure is completed. HOPE & THANKS Pastor Joel Johnson is hoping his congregation of 65 will be in their new spaces by Easter Sunday. “It’s going to be a time of jubilee,” Johnson said. “We couldn’t have pulled this off without the help of people in the community, sister churches and the Kingdom Builders. We’re not finished yet but we’re approach ing a place where we can soon meet together again.” The former building was destroyed after 9 feet of water from the Little River – located less than a half-mile away – submerged the church, March … [Read more...]

By Marvin Jones PINEVILLE – Imagine a world where racial tension and racial inequity does not exist. A SKIN SIN Imagine a world where issues of biological racism are never given credence or credibility – where prejudice towards another person because of his family or race doesn’t exist. Biological racism can only survive when we deny the imago dei to all human beings. Biological racism survives when one ethnic group considers another ethnic group to be sub-human because of their birth. So imagine a world where people consider their fellow human beings valuable and worthy of respect because of their status as God’s creation in His image. SOCIAL SEPARATION Imagine a world where cultural racism is non-existent – where cultural differences no longer create barriers that divide the populace. Imagine a world that does not advance the cause of racial tension in cultural dynamics. Imagine a world where humanity does not promote racial distinction as harmful but embraces racial differences, gender differences, social, and economic differences as God given design to promote the well-being of all humanity. RECONCILED IN CHRIST The problem is that any given society – all of humanity for that matter – can only … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAUGHTON – Will Taylor stepped into the baptismal waters, joining his wife, Lori, and their teenage daughters for a moment in time his family will never forget. As Pastor Gevan Spinney baptized each member of the family, the Taylors beamed with excitement over the journey that brought them to this point in life. ALL IN THE FAMILY The family had resided in Haughton for four months when the historic floodwaters in March 2016 nearly overtook their neighborhood. But tragedy became jubilation as they continued to see how the church ministered to families in the community. One by one, they grew closer to Christ as they became more involved in the life of First Baptist Church in Haughton. First, Lori and Will Taylor joined a small group, leading to growth in what had been a stagnant spiritual life after both had made commitments to Christ. He at 17 and she at nine. Then Will and Lori repented to restore their fellowship with Jesus, and their resulting zeal for the Lord manifested in big changes in how they lived. Their teenage daughters witnessed the authenticity of the transformation, and subsequently accepted Christ at the 2017 Louisiana Baptist Convention Evangelism … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LC News PINEVILLE -- Louisiana College has announced a new C.S. Lewis Scholarship and established a cohort as part of a newly launched Honors Program. Enrolling freshmen who scored a 28 or higher on the ACT are eligible for the annual scholarship of $8,500. “These academic innovations are Louisiana College’s rewards to high school students who excelled academically, and who aspire to continue the level of Christian impact upon his culture C.S. Lewis had,” said LC President Rick Brewer.  “Lewis -- whose intellectual acumen and Christian influence -- exemplifies one who integrated his faith and learning, thus reflecting our goal of preparing graduates and transforming lives.” Additional advantages of being a C.S. Lewis Scholar include: - attending classes focused on C.S. Lewis and his writings; - representing LC as an ambassador at Christian worldview conferences; - mentoring other students academically; - interning at local industries and businesses that relate to your major; - upon approval, pursuing additional courses beyond the 18-hour maximum; and - at student’s expense, studying at Oxford University, where C.S. Lewis taught. Leading the cohort of C.S. Lewis scholars will be Russell … [Read more...]

By Message Staff Authorities have arrested a suspect allegedly responsible for a string of church burglaries in Grant, Rapides and Natchitoches parishes from July to December 2016. According to a news release from the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Charles Wiltz of New Iberia conducted most of the break-ins during the evening and on weekends, concentrating on rural areas. The last burglary related to the investigation was reported on Dec. 12. Eight Louisiana Baptist churches were vandalized during that time, including Wayside Baptist Church in Pollock, Alpine First Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church in Colfax, First Baptist Church in Lecompte, Lamourie Baptist Church in Lecompte, Oak Grove Baptist Church in Bentley, Gateway Baptist Church in Ball and Riverview Baptist Church in Alexandria. “It’s a relief knowing he’s not going to be able to do it anymore,” said Jeremy Brister, pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church. “The only good thing that can come out of this is people can get saved from future break-ins he may have committed.” Lucas LaCour, pastor of Alpine First Baptist Church, who has more than 16 years of experience serving with the Grant Parish Sheriff Department, said in a Dec. 13 article off the Baptist … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS public relations NEW ORLEANS – Despite challenges and distractions, the church is all about Jesus and rooted firmly in His power, Jack Graham said during chapel services at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary March 7. “This is not about us. My church. Your church. It’s all about Jesus,” he said. Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, preached in chapel weeks after news broke that his church was escrowing Cooperative Program funds due to concerns over the actions by some Southern Baptist entity leaders. Even though the event was scheduled months before Prestonwood's decision to withhold funds, some called on NOBTS to revoke Graham’s invitation. NOBTS President Chuck Kelley rejected the idea, and instead, called on Southern Baptists to be more intentional about dialogue in times of disagreement. A group of NOBTS students printed and sold “I Heart CP” shirts. Though they disagreed with Graham regarding the escrowing of CP funds, they insisted that their goal was not to protest Graham or Prestonwood, but affirm their commitment to the Cooperative Program. After the chapel service, Graham met with the students for a short question and answer time. The students also gave Graham a … [Read more...]

By Louisiana College sports information BATON ROUGE - Louisiana College baseball has added a midweek game to its schedule for Tuesday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m. against LSU in Baton Rouge at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. The addition to both team's schedules comes after a rained out contest earlier this week between LSU and San Diego. The Wildcats had an open date on Tuesday, and will fill the spot on the Tigers schedule next week. With the addition of the LSU game, the Wildcats are now scheduled to play a total of six games in five days after the conclusion of the Marler Ford Classic at Billy Allgood Field this weekend. Wildcats assistant Matt Byrnes said, "LSU is a great team with great tradition. We have the upmost respect for their program and look forward to a great night of baseball." LSU and LC have met 22 times since 1914, most recently in 2012, when the Tigers posted a 10-2 win over the Wildcats. Over the past few decades, the Wildcats and the Tigers have played some tightly contested games, including a 7-5 Wildcat victory over LSU in 1994 and a close 2-1 LSU win three years earlier in 1991. … [Read more...]

By Message Staff Louisiana Baptists State Disaster Relief Director Gibbie McMillan has issued an urgent call for donations for ranchers who have lost thousands of acres of land and cattle from recent wildfires in several Midwestern states. The most pressing donations needed are bales or rolls of hay, trucks to transport the hay and money to purchase fuel to transport the hay or purchase additional hay bales. “It’s hard to get your hands on something this large, especially for us who are not familiar with that terrain and the kind of problems like this,” McMillan said. “But when people are hurting, what they need is a friendly hand and a shoulder to lean on. For the church to be the church, we need to care about people who are hurting. We’re not asking people to give all their hay away but I do know if a person has 100 bales, they should be able to share 10 round bales of hay without it crippling their yield for the year. And those people have nothing. That’s heart wrenching.” Around 811,000 acres of land in Kansas and Oklahoma and another 750,000 in the Texas panhandle have burned since the fires began. Six people have also perished due to the fires and the death toll for animals, which is being estimated into the … [Read more...]

By Brad Welborn, Louisiana College sports information The first year of college can be a trying time for any freshman. For many, it is the first time away from the comforts of a home cooked meal at the end of the day, the familiar surroundings of family and friends, and of course, the laundry service. For three Louisiana College freshman softball players, the adjustment to college life has been a quick one, as they are already leaving their marks on Lady Wildcat softball. Taylor Hammock, Sami Walters, and Shea Smith have quickly become staples in the top half of the LC lineup. The shortstop, second baseman, and right fielder; all freshmen, all starting, all from the same area of northwest Louisiana. Hammock spent her high school years playing at Calvary Baptist in Shreveport, while Walters went to school just 17 miles away at North DeSoto in Stonewall. Smith was a little farther out at North Webster High School in Springhill but all three spent their high school careers crossing paths on the softball diamonds multiple times a season. The path to the starting lineup started for each in their first semester on campus with early morning workouts. “I can definitely say that we work hard and our coaches have a lot of … [Read more...]