By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer FOREST HILL – Eight-year-old Hendrix Ebert has experienced more setbacks in his young life than most people do in their lifetimes. Born with a condition where the pulmonary veins between his heart and lungs did not work properly, he had open heart surgery at birth. His trachea and esophagus were not attached to his stomach; three bones in each middle ear did not form correctly; he has pulmonary disease, and, he is undergoing a protracted program of speech therapy. Yet, Hendrix is not defined by these difficulties, but by his lovable personality which blesses each person who comes in contact with him. “People lift him up but he does the same for them,” said his mother, Rebecca. “He has this ability to know your need. “So many people want him to feel special, but he makes so many people feel special in return,” she continued. “Hendrix has this incredible zest for life that will touch you for a lifetime.” His story is being chronicled in a documentary, thanks to a request granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Since March, a film crew has followed him at his school, church, recreational spots in Indiana, and most recently at Elwood Baptist Church during Vacation Bible … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LAKE CHARLES – Trinity Baptist Church planned to baptize 24 people on June 28, as a special celebration of how God has blessed the congregation’s evangelism efforts so far this year. But by the time the last person came out of the baptismal waters, 46 had been obedient to the Holy Spirit, joining 108 others who have been baptized at Trinity this year. “When people started responding to that call to come, everyone stood up cheering and clapping,” said Greg Bath, minister of evangelism at Trinity. “It was unbelievable. During our second service of the day, we were here way past 12:00 (when the service was scheduled to end) and no one had left. “No one wanted to leave,” he added. “They wanted to see God moving.” The special emphasis, designated as Declaration Celebration, was promoted by the staff for several months. Nine new believers were scheduled for baptism during the first worship service, with 15 slated in the second. But time also was reserved for additional baptisms, and, just in case, TBC Pastor Steve James had brought a bag with t-shirts, shorts and towels to accommodate those who made decisions that day. The newly baptized members represented a broad range … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE B.K. Miller is new interim pastor at Cypress Baptist Church, West Monroe. HOMECOMING Richey Baptist Church, Deville: 71st homecoming celebration, July 5, 10 a.m. - noon. Dinner on the grounds will follow the service. Speaker: Former pastor Bob Galloway. Pastor: Grady Dodge. University Baptist Church, Lake Charles: 50th anniversary celebration with an open house, July 11, 2-4 p.m. Refreshments will be served and all former pastors and members are invited to attend. For more information call 337.480.9410 (Monday-Wednesday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.). Pastor: Carlys Beard. Hillcrest Baptist Church, Franklinton: Church anniversary celebration, July 19, 11 a.m. at the Education Building at the Washington Parish Fair Grounds. Attendees will meet in Education Building for a brief program and then proceed to the newly renovated Flower House for a pot luck meal/picnic. Pastor: Andrew Voss. LAGNIAPPE Randy Bowman is seeking interim, bi-vocational or pastorate position preferable in the southern portion of Louisiana. Please call 337.441.9637. First Baptist Church, Lafayette: Ice Cream Fellowship, July 5, 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Bring your ice cream, cookies and brownies beginning at 5:30 p.m. Judging will … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, Louisiana College Communications PINEVILLE –The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) reaffirmed on June 6 the accreditation of Louisiana College’s Division of Business. “Achieving ACBSP reaffirmation is a rigorous process,” said Cheryl Clark, LC’s interim vice president for academic affairs. “Each accreditation standard assesses a college’s ability to perform in critical areas, such as teaching, research, curricula development, and student learning.” “This reaffirmation of accreditation for our Division of Business is a credit to our exceptional faculty who clearly and compellingly teach with a commitment to quality,” she said. “Every one of our professors cares deeply about the college and about making sure that students have a tremendous experience during their years at LC.” First accredited in 1995, LC’s Division of Business is one of the oldest members of ACBSP. “ACBSP’s reaffirmation of accreditation confirms that Louisiana College’s business program meets the standards of excellence in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, student and stakeholder focus, measurement and analysis of student learning and performance, faculty and staff focus, and education and … [Read more...]

By Andy Kanengiser, Mississippi College Communications CLINTON, Miss. – Antioch Baptist Church kids and parents enjoyed every mile of the journey to a FUGE Christian camp at Mississippi College. Worship services, quiet moments for Bible study, sports, fellowship time and much more were a real blessing for the church delegation from Farmerville, Louisiana. The annual June trip to the 5,000-student Baptist-affiliated university in Clinton was the sixth for parent chaperones like David C. Byrnes. He calls it his best one yet. “We love coming to Mississippi College because of its location and the facilities are great,’’ Byrnes says. “The camp pastor was awesome and we had two kids get saved.’’ Seventeen children and seven parents were part of this summer’s contingent from Antioch Baptist Church. Well-known for its Louisiana Watermelon Festival in late July and fun adventures to go fishing, boating and swimming at D’Arbonne State Park, Farmerville is sandwiched between Monroe and Ruston. So, the trip for the Louisiana church delegation is a quick two-hour and 15-minute ride on I-20 to the Clinton, Miss. campus. Once they get off the bus, they see a Clinton campus that’s steeped in history. Founded in 1826, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer The innonence of a child must be protected at all costs. Fortunately, the expense can be minimal and the investment will reap dividends for churches that take proper child safety security measures. That’s the consensus among children’s ministry staff the Baptist Message talked to regarding this sensitive yet important matter. “It’s much less expensive to put these things in place than for a church to have a lawsuit or have their insurance removed,” said Carrie Moreau, children’s ministries coordinator at Sale Street Baptist Church in Lake Charles. “Isn’t it better to be prepared than not prepared? The benefits far outweigh the cost.” Though an improper incident involving an adult and child has never occurred at Sale Street, not taking action was something the church could not afford. Their first step was researching what steps other churches had taken. Since the church was undergoing a building renovation, Sale Street instituted security measures in the construction process. Those included installing large windows on each classroom door, placing locks on all storage closets and making a check-in/check-out station. At the check-in/check-out station, parents of children … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LEESVILLE – To say Lloyd Handorf wears many hats is an understatement. In the 40 years he has been a member of Old Anacoco Baptist Church, he has held just about every role in the church imaginable, from youth director to interim pastor. “There was no doubt God’s hand was in my coming to Old Anacoco,” said Handorf, who serves as music minister. “I always have that clear in my mind. I believe if it is for me to leave for some other place He will be just as clear.” For his service to the church, the Old Anacoco congregation and others who knew him surprised Handorf in a special recognition service. Nearly 225 people attended the day, which included several past members of the church and choir and brother, sister, children, grand-children, nieces, and in-laws traveling from Colorado and several locations in Texas and Louisiana. During his time there, Handorf’s other roles have included deacon, Sunday school teacher, New York and Nicaragua on mission trips, and committee member. He’s even served as Vernon Baptist Association music director and vice moderator. Pat McRae, Handorf’s sister-in-law as well as a fellow member, calls him the heartbeat of the church. “He’s the … [Read more...]