E4 Conference

I just arrived home from the first ever E4 preaching conference sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention, Louisiana College, and New Orleans and Southwestern Seminaries at First Baptist, Pineville, LA.

It was refreshing and challenging. I walked away with a new list of preaching ideas, and a few reminders of the art. It was good also to network with great Christian leaders who taught and participated.

In particular, I was struck with the ability and passion of two professors of religion from Louisiana College, Dr. Chuck Quarles and Dr. Jason Meyer.

Their presentations were passionate, scholarly, and challenging. It is wonderful to think that these men are teaching our students at the college. I pray that the students will catch some of their "scholarship on fire." We desperately need it.

To be back on the Louisiana College campus, however briefly, brought back a flood of memories from my own college experience.

Bright young students.

Red brick buildings.

Tall pine trees.

And chapel.

Yes, chapel. The chapel service was worshipful and refreshing. The college chorale sang wonderfully. The preacher spoke passionately. The students listened intently. (I noticed. I was watching.)

I was able to catch up with one student from our church. He told me of the record enrollment this semester. He had to stay in a hotel for a couple of weeks. Here is what happens when a Christian college takes its Christian moorings seriously.

Because my own Alma Mater once strongly conservative now seems less so, I happily embrace LC as my own.

Congratulations, President Aguillard, faculty, and staff for a job well done.

And just beginning.

I am proud to be a Louisiana Baptist and proud to send students from our church to that institution knowing that their Christian faith will not be called into question, but strengthened.

We need more colleges like Louisiana College.