By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – During the 2022 Louisiana Baptist Pastor’s Conference, Nov. 14, in Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, speakers offered words of encouragement and conviction to pastors. TODD STRAIN Todd Strain, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, spoke during the opening session from 1 Corinthians 1:13-17, 15:1-6 and 2:1-2 to urge the crowd to endure for the Gospel. Ministry at times is difficult and pastors may be tempted to drift away and pursue other things, Strain said. However, the cross provides the fuel to endure to the end. He further shared how pastors can influence others to experience the power of the cross through the delivery of their message, content of their message and how they live their personal life. “A lot of times you step in mud holes because ministry is messy,” Strain said. “But what is going to keep you going to the end?  The Gospel is going to keep us going each and every day; that Christ died for our sins, He was buried and raised, and He gives us power. That Gospel is enough.” VINCE SMITH Vince Smith, pastor of the Circle Church, Alexandria, encouraged the pastors to endure groaning they might experience during … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn during 2022 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 15, at Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, encouraged messengers to be “all in” for participation in the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting and related evangelistic events in New Orleans. Originally scheduled to take place in Greensboro, North Carolina, the SBC Executive Committee, in April, voted to change the location to New Orleans, which has the meeting space to accommodate a larger crowd. “By the providential hand of God, the annual meeting of Southern Baptists has been adjusted to come to our state in 2023,” he said. “I don’t believe anything is by accident. Let’s believe that the reason that the SBC annual meeting has been moved to New Orleans is to have maximum Gospel impact in New Orleans and the entire region surrounding New Orleans.” Horn encouraged Louisiana Baptists to participate in Crossover, a large-scale evangelistic effort held before the SBC Annual Meeting, and the North American Mission Board SERVE Tour, an effort that seeks to involve participants in service projects as the foundation for evangelism the weekend before the SBC Annual Meeting. LBC staff … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Messengers, during the 2022 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 15, adopted an amendment to the Louisiana Baptist Convention Articles of Incorporation that allows a church to contribute solely to state causes and still be an LBC congregation. Previously a church was required to support Southern Baptist causes to be considered “in friendly cooperation” with the LBC. Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn, also speaking as a messenger from Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, noted he was in favor of the change. Horn said the change is not about redefining the Cooperative Program. “The Cooperative Program is not Louisiana Baptists’ definition,” he said. “It is the Southern Baptist Convention’s definition. So, we could not change the definition of the Cooperative Program. We are not seeking to do that with this particular article change. We are merely seeking to keep engaged the churches that have already made the decision and asked us not to send their gifts, through to us, to the Southern Baptist Convention.” Horn said the move is not anti-SBC or anti-CP, but “a conviction that if somebody is giving to Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Congressman Mike Johnson encouraged Louisiana Christian University students and community members to make a stand for biblical truths in a culture that has become increasingly hostile to the Gospel. “The Bible calls us to be salt and light,” Johnson said during the Values and Ethics Series, Nov. 10. “We are the salt. We are the light. If not us, who? It’s our responsibility. It’s the church’s job.” Johnson, who on Nov. 8 was re-elected without opposition to serve a fourth term in the U.S. House, was the keynote speaker for the 7th annual event held inside Guinn Auditorium. He said the founders insisted that religion and morality were essential to maintain the republic, but those foundations are being destroyed by those opposed to the faith. However, Johnson told the students they can help restore those pillars before it is too late. “We have an affirmative responsibility,” Johnson said. “We must defend the foundations. If you see the foundations being eroded, you and I as believers have that affirmative responsibility to do something about it.” Johnson said the United States is different from other countries. While other nations based the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Christian University has named Tomekia Luckett as its new dean of nursing. Speaking at a news conference, Nov. 10, Luckett said she is looking forward to helping prepare graduates to make a difference in the nursing field. “I look at the mission of LCU and not only are we preparing graduates, but we’re also transforming lives,” she said. “I have personally been a witness to the statement of how a nursing profession can transform your life. “I prayed about it and saw this as a different type of position to make a difference now,” Luckett said. “I’ve built my career on trying to be of service to other people. Nursing isn’t just a career, it’s a calling. As dean of nursing, I hope to help others find their calling.” Luckett brings more than 21 years of experience as a nurse and 12 years of administrative and leadership service. She has served as director of nursing for a Licensed Practical Nurses program at Antonelli College, Hattiesburg, Miss., associate professor of nursing for William Carey University, Hattiesburg, and, most recently, the associate dean of Nursing Continuing Professional Development for Walden University, an online … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Two members of the Louisiana Christian University debate team advanced to the novice out-rounds in the 47th annual Red River Swing Tournament at Louisiana State University-Shreveport, Nov. 4-6. LCU was one of 21 teams who participated in the tournament, which began with a full day of preliminary rounds to determine who would advance to the novice out-rounds, a single elimination bracket on the second day of debate. Sophomore Elijah McGrew made it to the finals before losing in a split 2-1 decision by the judges. Senior Misty Tanner, also competing on the second day, was eliminated in the first round. “I’m proud of the growth that I’ve seen in our team in the first half of our season,” LCU Debate Coach Brian Manuel said of his team of 15 students. “Elijah has competed in only two tournaments.  In the first tournament he reached the quarterfinals, and now the finals.” DOCUMENTARY SCREENING TO HIGHLIGHT SUICIDE AWARENESS “My Ascension,” a documentary film about Dutchtown teen Emma Benoit’s road to healing after a 2017 suicide attempt, will be shown at LCU, Nov. 14. The event, which is sponsored by the social work organizations and communities’ class as … [Read more...]

By Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louis Charrier, pastor of Washington Baptist Church and four other congregations, will be nominated for second vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2022 annual meeting. Jacob Crawford, director of City Life NOLA, a ministry which serves the homeless in New Orleans, notified the Baptist Message of his intention to make the nomination. The LBC annual meeting is scheduled to be held in the facilities of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, Nov. 15. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT Crawford noted Charrier’s passion for adding to God's Kingdom. “Brother Louis is known across the state of Louisiana as a serial church planter,” Crawford said of Charrier, who has planted 19 churches. “He loves Jesus and he loves this state. I have never seen a man of God with so much energy and zeal for missions.” Crawford believes Charrier will faithfully serve Louisiana Baptists, and inspire them to point others to Christ. “Brother Louis is an encouragement to everyone he meets,” he continued. “I am proud to call him my friend and partner in ministry.” PERSONAL DATA Charrier earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, and a master’s degree in biblical studies from … [Read more...]