Submitted by philip on Fri, 02/07/2014 - 10:43 Louisiana Baptist Convention State Disaster Relief Director Gibbie McMillan stands with Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer James Irvine. For his commitment to disaster relief work, Irvine was among four recently awarded the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Distinguished Service Award. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer James Irvine and his Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief trailer have a lot in common. Since first driving the trailer down to south Louisiana to respond to his first disaster days after Hurricane Katrina impacted the area in 2005, Irvine and his trailer have traveled thousands of miles across the US to respond after hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and fires with one mission in mind – giving a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name. “Whatever it takes,” said Irvine, who in 2012 alone took the trailer more than 10,000 miles. “In a time of disaster is when people have their greatest need. Some may think it’s a material need but they also have a spiritual need. People see those of us with a yellow shirt on and know that disaster relief workers are here to help.” For his commitment to disaster relief work, Irvine was among four recently awarded the … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: World News Briefs are copyrighted by World Magazine and are used with permission.   Nagmeh Abedini, the wife of imprisoned American pastor Saeed Abedini has cancelled plans to pray in front of the White House during a March protest of her husband’s detention. Abedini announced her decision the same day her lawyers revealed her husband has been moved to a less dangerous wing of the Iranian prison where he’s being held. The March protest, spearheaded by Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, is an effort to pressure President Barack Obama to help secure Abedini’s release from an Iranian prison. Since protesting on White House grounds is illegal, the action likely would have resulted in Nagmeh Abedini’s arrest. “After further prayer and counsel, I have determined it is not in the best interest of Saeed and our family for me to participate in the March 8th event that would have resulted in my arrest,” Abedini wrote on the “Pray for Pastor Saeed” Facebook page. “As a mother of two who has been without my husband and father of our two children for more than a year now, I will continue to focus on doing everything I can...to secure [his] freedom,” Abedini added.   March For Life … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message WOODWORTH – Hands-on ministry and challenging messages from a church planter and missionary are among the highlights of the upcoming Voyage 2014 conference for junior high and high school students. Scheduled for Feb. 21 and 22 at Tall Timbers Conference Center, Voyage will allow youth to learn how they can find their own place in missions according to God’s plan for their life. “At our Voyage weekend, we will encourage and challenge youth to grow strong in their faith, stand firm for Christ in daily living and boldly share the Good News through word and deed,” said Louisiana Baptist Convention Children/Youth Mission Education Strategist Jess Archer. “Through missions education we not only want to build solid conferences and weekend retreats, our prayer is that these programs build disciples and that the end result of these experiences would be a missional lifestyle that glorifies God.” Friday night’s session will include messages from Kyle Jagers, pastor of NOLA Baptist Church in New Orleans, and Meleah Nunn, an International Mission Board journeyman. Breakout sessions include how to prayer walk, sharing one’s faith, how to have a quiet time and living on mission for God every day. Saturday will … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message DALLAS (BP) – A federal judge’s ruling that the ministers’ housing allowance is unconstitutional has been appealed by government lawyers who argue the allowance should be upheld. The appeal will be heard by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. The November decision by federal Judge Barbara Crabb was stayed pending appeal, meaning it had no immediate impact on ministers. The court challenge to ministers’ housing allowance was brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). The appeal, being waged by Justice Department attorneys, is welcome news for ministers and provides an opportunity for the federal appeals court to uphold the longstanding statute that allows churches to provide a tax-free housing allowance to ministers. A 2010 ruling by Crabb, an appointee of President Jimmy Carter, that the National Day of Prayer violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment was overturned by the Seventh Circuit in 2011. “Pastors and others in ministry are facing challenges here in the United States that would have been unthinkable as little as a decade ago,” said Tim Head, GuideStone executive officer for denominational and public relations services who was a lawyer before being … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE   Jerry (wife Debra) Pipes new as executive pastor at First Baptist Bossier City. Kevin Willis new as pastor at Indian Village Baptist Church Kinder. Landon (wife Summer) Robin new as youth minister at South Bossier Baptist Church. Kristian Brown new as student/education minister at Trees Baptist Church. Jerry (wife Sandra) Martin has retired as pastor at Pine Grove Baptist Church, Castor after 37 years. David (wife Reta) Keeny new as minister of music at Koran Baptist Church, Haughton. Katie Golgin new as preschool director at Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport.   REVIVAL/HOMECOMING   Trinity Baptist Church, Natchitoches: Celebrating the 62nd anniversary of Trinity’s founding on Feb. 23, 10:30 a.m. All former pastors, music/youth directors and former members are invited to attend. Lunch will be served. Speaker: Tom Curry. Music: Wayne Bridges. Pastor: Josh Currie. Southside Baptist Church, Shreveport: 100th anniversary and new church dedication on Feb. 23, 10:45 a.m. Pastor: Buddy Hankins.   LAGNIAPPE   First Baptist Church, Sulphur: “All One Body” a special Carey Association-wide worship service promoting racial unity on Feb. 16, 5-7 p.m. This service is open to all … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 02/07/2014 - 10:57 Bi-vocational Pastor Glen Harrigill and his wife Penny teach together but also serve together at Riverside Baptist Church in Vidalia. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RIDGECREST – The 3 o’clock hour has arrived at Concordia Parish Academy of Math, Science and Technology and Glen Harrigill is preparing to teach his weekly guitar lesson. “Try this bar,” Harrigill tells his attentive student on this January Tuesday afternoon. “I know you can get it right.”  A few minutes later, and to Harrigill’s delight, the student reproduces the note. Mission accomplished. But Harrigill is much more than a guitar man. When Harrigill and his wife are not at the school, he may be found visiting a nursing home, counseling, performing a wedding or funeral or preaching his Sunday sermon where he serves as pastor of Riverside Baptist in Vidalia. Such is the life of a bi-vocational pastor, who never has a typical day. “Depending on what a bi-vocational pastor has on his plate for the day often determines how much earlier he will get up in morning or stay up later at night,” Harrigill said. He recently was named as Louisiana Baptist Convention Exemplary Bivocational Pastor of the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer A homosexual rights group has filed a lawsuit challenging Louisiana’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages and Louisiana Baptist leaders are hopeful the courts will not comply. Filed by Forum for Equality on Feb. 13, the lawsuit charges that Louisiana’s refusal to recognize homosexual marriage is in violation of the US Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection and due process. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that same-sex couples are forced to lie when filing joint tax returns by claiming they are single on state returns. The Forum for Equality says that is against the couples’ First-Amendment rights to free speech. Three of the couples reside in New Orleans while the other couple lives in Shreveport. The amendment in the state was enacted by 78 percent in 2004, after it was first proposed and passed by a two-thirds, bipartisan majority of both houses of the Louisiana Legislature. The amendment was ultimately affirmed unanimously by the Louisiana State Supreme Court. “The lawsuit filed today by Forum for Equality is wholly without merit, and they know it,” said Mike Johnson, a Shreveport attorney who helped argue and win the case upholding Louisiana’s Defense of Marriage … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 02/24/2014 - 12:50 New Orleans television sportscaster Fred Hickman (left) moderates the panel of NBA greats at the Fatherhood and Family Summit hosted by Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. Participants included (from left) former NBA standout Keyon Dooling, former college coach Wade Houston, two-time NBA All-Star Allan Houston, New Orleans native and 2006 NBA Coach of the Year Avery Johnson, and New Orleans Pelicans head coach Monty Williams. By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter NEW ORLEANS – When SBC convention president Fred Luter, Jr. got a phone call “out of the blue” asking Franklin Avenue Baptist Church to host the All-Star Fatherhood and Family Summit with former NBA star Allan Houston, he knew it would be a good fit. Luter, a father of two and grandfather of one-year-old Fred Luter IV, knows that fatherhood is a responsibility that has to be modeled. “I have the conviction that a kid can never be what he’s never seen,” Luter said. “I saw the difference growing up in a home without a dad, so fatherhood is something I’ve always, always promoted here at Franklin Avenue.” Luter said the church calendar is clear on Friday nights so families can spend time together. The All-Star … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 02/24/2014 - 12:53 Jordan Easley was the speaker for the two-day Collegiate Evangelism Conference held at East Bayou Baptist Church in Lafayette. Speaking from Matthew 14:22-32, he told students that ‘Faith pleases God.’ By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LAFAYETTE – Many believers want to stay comfortable and remain in their boat of security. But God is calling believers to do just the opposite. When that happens, God will provide and blessings will follow, Jordan Easley said. “When God calls me to do something and I do it, I don’t have to have all the answers; I just have to have faith,” Easley told students during the recent Collegiate Evangelism Conference. “Faith pleases God.” Citing Matthew 14:22-32, Easley said that Peter had the faith to get out of the boat and walk on the water to meet Jesus. Easley said like Peter before he stepped out of the boat, many Christians may not be sure what God is calling them to do. “Jesus called Peter out of the boat and it was a call to the uncomfortable,” Easley said. “God may be calling us to be doing the uncomfortable as well.” Easley said that human nature is to gravitate toward that which is comfortable. He said just as Peter did in … [Read more...]