By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY – The widow of American Sniper Chris Kyle will share her testimony during two worship services at First Baptist Bossier City on Aug. 30. Taya Kyle will share about her husband’s commitment to fighting for his country and the impact his Christian faith had on him. Throughout his book that became a New York Times bestseller, Chris Kyle mentions numerous times of his reliance on Christ. Known as the most lethal sniper in US military history with more than 160 kills, Kyle was honorably discharged in 2009. He died in 2013 while visiting a shooting range with a friend when another man, Eddie Ray Routh, allegedly killed the two men. His story was made into the movie “American Sniper” and was released in 2014. She will speak during the 9:15 and 10:45 am worship services as part of the church’s “Honor Our Heroes Sunday.” Active military, police, firemen and first responders will be honored during the services and at a breakfast reception at 8:15 am and lunch at 12 pm. Brad Jurkovich, pastor of First Bossier, said the day allows his church to actively serve those who protect them. “We need to encourage these families as much as possible,” Jurkovich said. “They all are on the … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications Director NEW ORLEANS – The first day of a new semester was marred by sadness as New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s Leavell College students learned of the death of beloved professor John Gibson. Gibson, 56, died Aug. 24. A memorial service for Gibson will be held in Leavell Chapel on the seminary campus Aug. 28, at 10:30 a.m. The service is a joint effort between NOBTS and First Baptist Church, New Orleans where Gibson’s wife, Christi, served as minister of discipleship and missions. Gibson was discovered at his home on the seminary campus at approximately 5:30 p.m., Aug. 24, by his wife when she arrived home from work. After finding Gibson unresponsive, she immediately notified emergency medical service. EMS workers were unable to revive him, and Gibson was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death is still undetermined. Born in Louisiana to a long line of Baptist ministers, Gibson spent many of his formative years in Mississippi where his father served in pastoral ministry. Gibson earned his undergraduate degree from Mississippi College and went on to earn a master of divinity and doctor of theology degrees at NOBTS. Gibson served as youth minister and … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, Louisiana College communications PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) - Mrs. Janet Huckabee, wife of presidential hopeful Governor Mike Huckabee, will visit Louisiana College Aug. 26 for an hour-long open forum. Mrs. Huckabee will arrive at approximately 11 a.m. and will address the public shortly thereafter in the Granberry Conference Center. She will entertain questions from the media following her public comments. Pastors are cordially invited to attend as honored guests with reserved seating. At the close of Mrs. Huckabee’s remarks there will be a time for prayer. Pastors and/or church groups planning to attend should notify Louisiana College via the contact info above. This event is free and open to the public. … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message BATON ROUGE – It was supposed to have sent a clear and loud message to Gov. Bobby Jindal and the state of Louisiana about Planned Parenthood’s dissatisfaction to proposed cuts to funding for services provided by the organization. The rally, though, did not come close to living up to expectations or hype. Less than 50 people, most of whom were carrying pink, pre-printed signs that read “Don’t Take Away Our Care” and “Stand With Planned Parenthood,” attended the rally, which was staged in a field across the street from the Governor’s Mansion. The group was protesting Jindal’s decision to stop almost $300,000 in reimbursement to Planned Parenthood for health care services. In a statement from the Governor’s office, Jindal said, “Planned Parenthood supporters are welcome to protest.” But in a counter-protest, Jindal’s office set up a movie screen and speakers under a tent and played on a loop the Center for Medical Progress investigative videos of Planned Parenthood employees talking about the harvesting of unborn babies to sell on the open market. “I want to ensure anyone who shows up will have to witness first-hand the offensive actions of the organization they are supporting,” said … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, Louisiana College Communications PINEVILLE (LCNews) - Louisiana College’s annual faculty/staff workshop features nationally known experts in their respective fields, who will lead several plenary, and breakout sessions Aug. 17 and 18. The Aug. 17 sessions include Dr. Peter Beck, associate professor of Christian Studies at Charleston Southern University (CSU). Beck’s topic, “Integrating Faith and Learning and Then Some,” posits that Christian colleges “exist to extend the Kingdom of God beyond the church into every area of life.” Beck notes that Christian educators “are called to integrate faith in every area of our lives,” and that includes the relationship between Christ and campus. The director of the Honors Program at CSU, Beck -- whose theological writings have been published broadly -- received the 2013 Excellence in Teaching Award from the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. “Globalizing a Liberal Arts Faculty and Staff and Then Some” is Dr. Carolyn Bishop’s topic. She will explore how faculty and administrators can partner through the Consortium for Global Education (CGE), where she is president, to build their departments or programs, enhance courses, and find meaningful and mutual … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ANGOLA – Burl Cain won’t be joining the list of candidates running for Louisiana governor, at least for now. The warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola announced the news on Wednesday during a meeting of the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, ending months of speculation on his status for running in the governor’s race. “I wouldn’t have the money to do it,” Cain said in an article by the Baton Rouge Advocate newspaper. “I looked at it. I’m still looking at it. … I’d have to resign my job.” The longest-serving warden of any prison in the U.S. and in the history of Angola itself, Cain had said during the Louisiana Baptist Senior Adult Lunch at Summer Grove Baptist Church in February that he had not yet made a decision whether he would or would not run for the office. Signs in support of his potential candidacy can be found around Louisiana and the Facebook page “We Want Warden Burl Cain La Governor 2015” has garnered nearly 2,000 likes. “It’s important to serve Him and look for His blessing and direction,” Cain said at the time. “When you are not in God’s will, disaster occurs. No answer would mean I didn’t get an answer and I would stay here at Angola Either answer is … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PONCHATOULA – First Baptist Church in Ponchatoula is counting their blessings after an automated external defibrillator (AED) the congregation received years ago saved the life of one of its deacons. The incident occurred as parents and teenagers gathered for a lunch and meet-and-greet with the church’s prospective youth minister on Aug. 9. Suddenly, a deacon fell back and burst his head. Byron Willie, a member of the church and the Ponchatoula Fire Department, was just outside the building when he called to the scene. A circle of prayer was formed while Willie performed CPR. David Cranford, pastor of the church, soon arrived with the church’s AED and the deacon was brought back to life. Willie said he is thankful God prevented what could have been a tragic situation. “Everyone is saying y’all saved that man’s life,” Willie said. “I told them God put that man in the right place at the right time with the right people. God took care of everything else.” An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses irregular heartbeats to could lead to cardiac arrest in a patient. When used, the device can help re-establish an effective rhythm in a … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, Louisiana College communications PINEVILLE - Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana College, announced Aug. 7 a shift for two senior executive team members. Brewer named Byron McGee as vice president for Institutional Advancement, a position he already has filled as interim. McGee vacates his long-tenured service as vice president for Enrollment Management. Brandon Bannon, vice president for Student Life, succeeds McGee and leaves his role as dean of students. "Although I have spent most of my career at Louisiana College in Enrollment Management, I am very excited about moving into the Institutional Advancement role,” said McGee, a 1979 alumnus of LC. “This wonderful institution has meant so much to so many through the years, and I believe that, with our new leadership, our community and alumni are ready to partner with us to make Louisiana College the best that it can be," McGee said. Beginning his thirty-third year of employment at LC, McGee joined the staff in 1983 as an admissions counselor, advanced to director of admissions in 1987, and has twice served as alumni director. “More than anything else, institutional advancement is about relationships. And Byron’s longevity of service to the college … [Read more...]