Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Fri, 01/04/2013 - 08:52 Venise St. Hiliaire receives congratulations from Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Seminary, upon receiving her master of arts in marriage and family counseling degree. By Frank Michael McCormack, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- Although commencements at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary are joyous events, both for the new graduates and faculty and administration who helped them along the way, the Dec. 15 ceremony for NOBTS and its Leavell College took on a solemn yet resolved tone in light of the previous day's tragedy in Newtown, Conn. New Orleans Seminary President Chuck Kelley, greeting a class of 91 graduate, 64 undergraduate and 30 doctoral students, said, "What a wonderful, glorious day it is. But not everywhere. "Our nation is reeling in shock from another tragic, senseless shooting and the loss of so many innocent lives," he said, referencing the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 children and six adults dead. Tragedy and uncertainty also stretch overseas, Kelley said. People face the realities of war, and financial struggles abound, in "a world with problems that seem to … [Read more...]

By Michael Foust, Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) – The president of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries said he’s pleased with the extension of an Adoption Tax Credit that was part of the “fiscal cliff” bill signed into law earlier in the week. “It will certainly help many more children find forever families,” said Perry Hancock, president and CEO of the entity. “The most positive aspect of the new ATC is that it is now permanent rather than an extension of past legislation. “The new ATC, however, is not refundable as it was in 2010 and 2011,” Hancock added. “This limits the benefit of the credit to many low and middle income families. The new credit will, however, make adoption more affordable and encourage many families to consider providing a Christian home for children who need to know that they are loved.” The adoption tax credit was set to expire at the end of the year, and for months the adoption community had been lobbying Congress to extend it. The House and Senate did even better than that, making the credit permanent under the bill passed just before the New Year, according to the office of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D.-La.), an adoption advocate. Unlike a tax deduction, which only reduces … [Read more...]

Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Tue, 01/08/2013 - 19:20 During a commencement service in Haiti, 145 students received pastoral ministries certificates, persevering while their nation was in chaos from the 2010 earthquake to complete a three-year theological education program offered by New Orleans Seminary and the Florida Baptist Convention. Photo by Ken Touchton/Florida Baptist Convention. By Barbara Denman, Florida Baptist Convention TITANYEN, Haiti (BP) - Chrisner Hyler, a Haitian in his early 20s, loves music, plays the keyboard and serves the Lord at a congregation in Port-au-Prince. And he has earned a Certificate in Pastoral Ministries after three years of studies offered in Haiti by New Orleans Theological Seminary and the Florida Baptist Convention. "I wanted to take the courses, to know how I can preach and teach and make disciples like Jesus Christ," Hyler said. "Then I could 'go and make some disciples' with the Holy Spirit and this teaching." Even when the January 2010 earthquake damaged his own home, crumbled his homeland, killed 200,000 fellow countrymen and left more than a million people homeless, Hyler persevered, dedicating a week every quarter to classes to learn biblical … [Read more...]

Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Tue, 01/15/2013 - 10:15 Hobby Lobby's website reports that the company has 525 stores in the US, including six in Louisiana. The company is facing possible fines of $1.3 million each day, though lawyers for Hobby Lobby say they have found a short-term way to avoid the fines from the federal government over its decision not to comply with a plan for its employees that covers abortion-inducing drugs. By Michael Foust, Baptist Press OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) -- Hobby Lobby says it has found a way to avoid for "several months" being penalized by the federal government for not covering abortion-inducing drugs in its employee health care plans. Beginning Jan. 1, Hobby Lobby reportedly was facing fines of around $1.3 million per day for defying the Department of Health and Human Services' abortion/contraceptive mandate. Jan. 1 was the date its new employee health care plan was to take effect. But Peter M. Dobelbower, an attorney and vice president for Hobby Lobby, said in a Jan. 10 statement that that date had been delayed, although he didn't provide specific details. "Hobby Lobby discovered a way to shift the plan year for its employee health insurance, thus postponing the … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:23 In this photo, pro-lifers in Washington hold signs showing the number of abortions performed each year. On Jan. 22, America will reach the 40th anniversary of legalized abortion. There will be little to celebrate though, as Roe v. Wade has caused the death of millions of children who were aborted by their mothers. By Tom Strode, Baptist Press WASHINGTON, D.C. (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision not only awakened Southern Baptists eventually to the gruesome reality of abortion but helped power what came to be known as their convention’s Conservative Resurgence, two longtime observers say. America will reach the 40th anniversary of legalized abortion Jan. 22. On that date, pro-life advocates will grieve and abortion rights defenders will celebrate Roe, the opinion that – coupled with a companion ruling, Doe v. Bolton – had the effect of striking down all abortion restrictions and legalizing the procedure nationwide for virtually any reason at any stage of pregnancy. When the high court issued those decisions jointly in 1973, Southern Baptists were either uninformed or misguided – and consequently unengaged – at the grass roots but … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:26 These cans with a customized label were mailed to every Louisiana pastor to help promote this year’s Evangelism Conference. The goal was to capture a pastor’s attention and encourage them to bring a canned good to be distributed to the hungry in and around Lafayette. By Staff, LBC Communications STATEWIDE – Another year, another conference? Not this year, at least not when it comes to the 2013 Evangelism Conference. “We wanted to do something that would reinforce our theme and give those attending an opportunity to participate,” said Wayne Jenkins, director of Evangelism and Church Growth for the Louisiana Baptist Convention.   The result was an unusual delivery for every Louisiana pastor: a can. “We worked with John Kyle, our Communications Team Director, and came up with the idea of mailing a can with a customized label that promoted the conference,” Jenkins continued. “The goal was to send something that would capture a pastor’s attention and encourage them to bring a canned good for distribution to the hungry in and around the Layette area.” The theme for this year’s Evangelism Conference is “Serve.” It coincides with the North … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 01/17/2013 - 13:29 Logo for President's 2020 Commission By David E. Hankins, Executive Director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Last year was quite a year ... tragedies ... elections ... stagnant and uncertain economic times. For some, the best part of 2012 is that it’s over! However, Louisiana Baptists experienced God’s hand of blessing in many ways including: n Awaken – we spent all of 2012 preparing ourselves, praying, and pleading for God to move across our state. We spent the first 21 Days of January in an emphasis of prayer and fasting. We held public prayer gatherings in every parish. We celebrated 200 years of Baptist ministry in Louisiana on the Capitol steps in Baton Rouge and we continue to pray for a wide-spread spiritual awakening across our state. n GoLA(Go Louisiana) VBS teams comprised of college students traveled to churches across the state and assisted with Vacation Bible School. More than 650 children participated and 11, that we know of, prayed to receive Christ. n In November for the first time in its history, the Youth Evangelism Conference sold out as more than 7,500 students and sponsors gathered to worship and learn how to … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Baptist Message Editor Pot-puffers in Washington state celebrated their new ability to smoke marijuana legally on Dec. 6. Colorado joined the Evergreen State and allowed airheads to start getting Rocky Mountain high lawfully on Dec 10. I find it quite ironic that while it seems society has grown more accepting of marijuana, it has at the same time ridiculed, scorned and even shamed those who smoke tobacco. The products have come to be viewed very differently. Tobacco is reviled for the havoc it wreaks on the body’s respiratory system and its propensity to cause lung and other cancers – as well as its link to heart disease. Marijuana is touted by many as being practically harmless to health and void of any negative consequences. Those who puff on cigarettes are viewed by many as flawed and weak in character – especially those who smoke around children. Marijuana aficionados, on the other hand, are deemed to be progressive and open-minded. The opponents of tobacco smoking would probably gladly outlaw all products related to the practice. However, having learned from Prohibition the futility in seeking to ban a product many desire, they have instead gone the route of demonizing those who … [Read more...]

By Joe Alain, pastor Hebron Baptist Church in Denham Springs After the massacre of 20 children on Dec. 14 at a Connecticut elementary school, people are asking a familiar question, “Where Is God?” Many look for answers and in moments like this, there are no easy answers. What we do know is that God is with the suffering. He identifies with the hurting. When the President addressed the issue he quoted Psalm 34:18, a verse that reminds us that in times of trajedy, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. Where Is God? He’s right where He has always been, in the midst of those who hurt and who are suffering. The Nativity story in Luke 2:1-7 is a reminder to us that God and the hope He brings is often found in unexpected places. God chose to manifest His presence in a manger, probably nothing more than a simple cave with a feeding trough. Neville Callam reminds us that wherever God dwells, there is His majesty. “We may discover that God is often found in unexpected places.” Where is God? He is in the midst of the darkness bringing light,he is in the midst of the suffering and pain, bringing hope. Max Lucado noted that there was an eerie irony in the Connecticut tragedy coming just before Christmas, noting that the … [Read more...]

By Skip Rainbolt, Pastor orf Fillmore Baptist Church in Princeton, La. I am somewhat amazed at the level of participation in the observance of Christmas in our increasingly secularized society. Why do people who want little or nothing to do with Christianity still celebrate this Christian holiday? Ironies abound during this special season and 2012 was no exception. During December I read an article about an atheist organization renting a billboard in Times Square in New York which reads “Keep the MERRY – Dump the MYTH.” Interestingly, the Times Square billboard featured two pictures; one of Santa Claus above the phrase “Keep the Merry” and one of Jesus (at least the traditional representation) above the phrase “Dump the Myth.” Santa fittingly represents the materialistic, secularized aspect of Christmas and Jesus represents the religious aspect – the “myth” – which the atheists abhor and hope to liberate us from. Maybe I’m missing something here but isn’t Santa a myth? If their motive is truly to rid our society of myths, why don’t they trash Santa as well? Additionally, the “Merry” in “Merry Christmas” is void of any meaning apart from the good tidings of great joy heralded by the angelic host (Luke 2:10), … [Read more...]