By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – The next generation of young professionals will be challenged to embrace Christ-centered relationships during the upcoming Collegiate Evangelism Conference, “Together,” set for Feb. 10-11 at Louisiana Christian University’s Guinn Auditorium in Pineville. “If you ask a student what they want to talk about, chances are it will be relationships,” Chad McClurg, University of Louisiana-Monroe Baptist Collegiate Ministry director and conference organizer, told the Baptist Message. “Relationships are a highly discussed thing in Scripture, and we want our students to have the correct perspective as they live out their daily lives. We hope to answer those questions they may have about different types of relationships during the weekend. “Our main sessions will focus on our identity in Christ as the primary relationship, as well as dating and marriage from a godly perspective,” he continued. “The breakout sessions will dive deeper into relationships in other areas of life that a college student faces now and in the future.” CEC will feature three speakers: Sean Walker, pastor, the Bayou Church, Lafayette; Kathy Nelson, laywoman, Calvary Baptist Church, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Mexico (LBM) – A team of 175 students and staff from six Baptist Collegiate Ministries in the state spent part of their Christmas break sharing the Gospel with thousands in Mexico. By the conclusion of the Dec. 7-14 mission trip in the state of Coahuila near the U.S.-Mexico border, the team witnessed 110 salvation decisions. Louisiana State University BCM Director Steve Masters said he was overjoyed with the stu[1]dents’ attitude of serving others first, no matter the unfamiliar situations they faced. “The students worked so hard and so selflessly,” Masters told the Baptist Message. “They put in long hours of work but had a lot of fun. They laughed, they prayed, they served, they gave.” The team included students and staff from LSU, Louisiana Christian University, University of Louisiana at Monroe, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, McNeese State University and Grambling State University. They worked in Piedras Negras, Acuna and Morelos, and slept and ate at a ministry center in Piedras Negras for a cost of $9 per night, Masters noted. The students formed into small groups and worked with more than 300 children and teenagers in Bible clubs. They … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Jenni, husband Stephen, Smith is the new worship leader at Trees Baptist Church, Vivian. Buster Jordan is the new worship leader at First Baptist Church, Zwolle. Meagan Stedman is the new Associate Metro BCM Director in New Orleans. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Haynesville: Revival-Total Surrender, January 22-January 25, Sunday, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Evangelist: Kyle Williams. Worship: Steve Reeves; Monday, 6 p.m., Evangelist: Luke Hockenjos. Worship: Herb Armentrout. Tuesday, 6 p.m. Evangelist: Steve Beard. Worship: Herb Armentrout. Wednesday, 6 p.m. Evangelist: Luke Hockenjos. Worship: Herb Armentrout. Pastor: Jeff Tinsley. Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Epps: Harvest Day Service, January 29, 10 a.m. Pastor: Todd Perry. Alabama Baptist Church, Arcadia: Revival, January 29-February 1, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – The search is on for Louisiana’s longest married couple. The Louisiana Family Forum is holding its annual contest to find the top 10 longest-married couples in the state, who will be entered into the family advocacy group’s Marriage Hall of Fame. “Marriage needs an ally,” Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills told the Baptist Message. “What better champion than the covenant keepers who have remained faithful for seven decades or longer. Help me identify and unpack the stories of Louisiana’s longest married couples.” Those eligible for the contest must have been married for at least 70 years before Feb. 3. Last year, Louisiana Family Forum named Gail and Patsy Richardson of Gonzales as the state’s longest-married couple at 81 years. Gail, a longtime member of First Baptist Church, Gonzales, and Patsy, who attends St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Gonzales, married on Sept. 1, 1940. Other couples who were runners up included: -- Lauris and Earline Broussard, Abbeville, 81 years -- James and Verna Wil[1]son, Marksville, 77 years -- William and Frances Rosevally, Covington, 77 years -- Clyde and Bertha Moody, Bogalusa, 74 … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Christian University is going on the “Total Truth Tour” this spring offering information and resources to fortify a biblical worldview with student groups. Scheduled at four churches, the tour will feature guest speaker J.D. Hankins, student minister at First Baptist Church, Rayville, and music led by the LCU’s Elevate band: -- Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville, Jan. 25, 6:15 p.m. -- First Baptist Church, Lafayette, Feb. 15, 6 p.m. -- First Baptist Church, West Monroe, March 22, 6 p.m. -- Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport, April 19, 6 p.m. Citing a 2021 Barna study that found just 6 percent of evangelicals adhere to a biblical worldview, LCU President Rick Brewer said events like the Total Truth Tour are needed to help buck that trend. “Unfortunately, even among evangelicals in our churches, only a small percentage of youth subscribe to a biblical worldview,” Brewer told the Baptist Message. “We are finding more and more high school students who simply don’t believe in moral absolute truth. The tour will help make students not just aware of LCU but equip students to grow in a deeper understanding of biblical … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Emily Jean Rodgers would have been celebrating her 25th birthday this week as a member of Louisiana Christian University’s Class of 2020. Instead, her family and friends are sharing memories and pictures on social media — trying to make her first birthday since her death in September as joyous as possible. To that end, the Rogers family and her professor, Elizabeth Clarke, have established the Emily Jean Rodgers Memorial Scholarship to honor her memory and legacy at her alma mater. “Though Emily's heavenly homecoming has left an earthly gap in our family, we are forever grateful to know Emily is in the arms of Jesus because she asked Him to be her Savior at the age of 10,” said her parents, Jeri and Joey Rodgers. “We miss her light and fun and spunk tremendously, but we rejoice that she is whole and healthy at the foot of God's throne.” Clarke echoed the thought. “I couldn’t think of a better way to keep Emily alive on campus for years and years to come,” Clarke said. “Anyone who knew Emily—when you think of her, you think Jesus, her family and LCU. I want future students to know the name Emily Rodgers and aspire to be the shining example of a Christian—and … [Read more...]