By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – Louisiana Baptists and others from the pro-life community are urging prayer and action to prevent the construction of a New Orleans Planned Parenthood abortion facility. After a May 2013 groundbreaking ceremony at the site on South Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans, construction on the facility has yet to begin. If built, the 8,000-square-foot facility originally scheduled for completion this year would become Planned Parenthood’s first location in the state to perform abortions. Since its announcement, those opposed to the facility have voice opinions through letters to the editor, on-site protests and campaigns. Not long after the groundbreaking, Franklin Avenue Baptist in New Orleans hosted a city-wide rally where community faith-based leaders educated the area on Planned Parenthood and also prayed. Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist, said that the facility represents an example of spiritual warfare to destroy lives all over the United States. “To me it’s a trap for these young ladies who may feel abortion is the only option,” he said. “And we know it’s not. “That’s what we are trying to share, that there is an option,” he continued. “I ask the body of … [Read more...]

From Message News Services PINEVILLE – Louisiana College’s Division of Nursing had a 90 percent first-time pass rate for the NCLEX exam, according to the 2013 annual report of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. The state average for Louisiana bachelor of science in nursing programs in 2013 was 87 percent. “This is a remarkable achievement for our program in a year when the pass rate lowered nationally,” said Dr. Kimberly Sharp, dean of the Division of Nursing and Allied Health at LC. “The results are a testament to the hard work of our students and the dedication to academic excellence among our faculty and staff.” The NCLEX is the exam that is taken by students when they graduate from a nursing school to determine whether they will be granted a license by the State of Louisiana in order to practice in the profession. The LC Division of Nursing has previously seen success in its pass rates for the NCLEX exam with results traditionally reaching as high as 96 percent for BSN programs and 100 percent for ABSN (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) programs over the past three years. The NCLEX exam is a computer adaptive test with a minimum of 75 and a maximum of 265 questions – depending on the ability of the students … [Read more...]

By Mark H. Hunter, Regional Reporter The home of Rev. Randy Johnson, pastor of Florida Blvd. Baptist Church in Baton Rouge was completely destroyed by a fire on Friday, Feb. 21. Church members are asking Louisiana Baptists to pray for them and help financially if possible. Livingston Parish firefighters said the blaze, located at 30947 Caney Branch Road near Denham Springs, was so hot it melted the boots and mask of one firefighter and caused another one to be  temporarily overcome by heat. Johnson did not preach on Sunday morning. The church has set up an account to help the family that lost everything. Fire Chief Joe Koczrowski told the Baton Rouge Advocate newspaper that the house, a restored 1966 Mustang and a minivan, were all destroyed at an estimated value of $330,000. The fire apparently started, the chief said, by a 9 year old boy playing with a lighter in the garage that ignited a bag of clothes that quickly spread. The son is distraught church members reported on facebook links. Johnson and his wife Leigh also have a 12 year old daughter and 15 year old son. For more information and to help please visit the church web site at: www.fbbc.org … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message Children will have two chances in March to experience a full day of a celebration of missions with other first through sixth graders. Based on Acts 4:20, M-JAM (short for Mission Jamboree) will allow the children  a chance to meet missionaries, learn about missions and have an opportunity to take part in a hands-on mission activity. “At M-JAM, children will explore missions, build on their faith foundation and hear the gospel presentation,” said Jess Archer, Louisiana Baptist Convention Children/Youth Mission Education strategist. John Frady, executive worship pastor at Celebration Church in Metairie, along with his wife Kathy will lead the group in worship and dramatic arts. They will address the theme “Hear and Tell.” Individuals in church leadership and directors of (students involved in…instead of directors of) Louisiana Baptist Collegiate Ministries will lead breakout sessions. They will include topics on the International Mission Board, church planting, salvation and chaplaincy. The children will also participate in a hands-on mission activity. They will make salvation bracelets for use during a Beyond the Walls Brazilians mission team this summer. M-Jam is schedule at First Baptist … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor God once used a donkey to alert a wayward prophet that he was on the wrong track. Could it be the Lord is using a “bear,” a Russian Bear, to do the same with the nations of the West, in particular the United States? “Many Euro-Atlantic countries have moved away from their roots, including Christian values,” Russian President Valdimir Putin said in his state of the nation address in mid-December, The Washington Times reported. Putin continued, “Policies are being pursued that place on the same level a multi-child family and a same-sex partnership, a faith in God and a belief in Satan. This is the path to degradation.” Some have dismissed Putin’s rhetoric as nothing more than political posturing. However, leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church have echoed their president’s assessment. Patriarch Krill I of Moscow, the leader of the Orthodox Church, “accused Western countries of engaging in the ‘spiritual disarmament’ of their people,” The Times reported. “The general political direction of the [Western political] elite bears, without a doubt, an anti-Christian and anti-religious character,” Patriarch Krill said. “We have been through an epoch of atheism, and we know what it is to live without God. … [Read more...]

By Terry Dorsett, NAMB Church Planting Catalyst The other day I was going to visit a friend who was interested in becoming involved in ministry. He gave me the address where I was to meet him, but when I arrived, I could not find the street number. There were buildings with the number right below it and right above it, but the particular street number I was searching for seemed to be missing. After driving up and down the road a couple of times, I called him on his cell phone. It turns out that I had gone to Stevens Street, when I was actually looking for Stephens Street. The two streets sounded the same but, of course, have a slightly different spelling and, it turns out, are on opposite sides of town. I would have never found him at the first address because that address does not exist. We had a good laugh about it when I finally got to the right place. What a difference a couple of letters make. That experience has caused me to think about how important it is to make sure we get our facts right before striking off on some task, journey or line of thought. If we have a faulty premise, it will lead us in the wrong direction and we may never find what we are looking for. Even if the mistake is subtle and sounds right (as in … [Read more...]

By Al Mohler, Jr., President of Southern Seminary Super Bowl XLVIII may have been a bust as a football game, but it was a blockbuster as a cultural event. The telecast attracted a record 111.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched television event of all time. That record will most likely be eclipsed by the next Super Bowl, and the trajectory shows no signs of dissipating. America takes its sports seriously, and Americans take football with the most seriousness of them all. In a real sense, big-time sports represent America’s new civic religion, and football is its central sacrament. The relationship between sports and religion in America has always been close, and it has often been awkward. The “muscular Christianity” of a century ago has given way to a more recent phenomenon: the massive growth of involvement in sports at the expense of church activities and involvements. About 15 years ago, the late John Cardinal O’Connor, then the Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, lamented the fact that Little League baseball was taking his altar boys away on Sundays. “Why is it religion that must always accommodate?” the archbishop asked. “Why must Little League and soccer league games be scheduled on Sunday mornings? “Why … [Read more...]

By Art Toalston, Editor Baptist Press Without doubt, one of the facts of faith is that we must obey God. Moms and dads, in varying ways, yearn for their children to obey. And we surely marvel at children who indeed obey their parents. Citizens, sometimes grudgingly, understand they must obey the law. And if we think about it, we’re glad for every moment of safety that the law, when obeyed, accords us in our homes, our automobiles and in our communities. But obey God? We tend to accuse God of unilaterally issuing an edict: “Just do as I say.” God is far from the only one, however, with an expectation of obedience in today’s cultural milieu. Pro-choice advocates, though they don’t use the word, strive for the society to obey, or yield to, even laud their beliefs for abortion rights. And yes, those who see the hand of God in all moments of human life also attempt to sway people to their moral ground. The same push and shove to obey, sometimes with civility, is evident among homosexual rights advocates and among those who see a loving God calling humankind to refrain from homosexuality. The tussle for public opinion is evident between proponents of marijuana legalization and those who sorrow over anyone’s flight from reality … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 02/24/2014 - 13:08 Carl Gulde, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Colfax, (left) receives an honorary doctorate from Trinity Theological Seminary President Harold Hunter in a Feb. 16th service at the church. COLFAX – Carl Gulde recently received the highest honor that Trinity Theological Seminary awards. Presented by Trinity President Harold Hunter, the honorary doctor of divinity degree was given to Gulde during a special service at Bethel Baptist in Colfax, the church where he serves. The seminary located in Newburgh, Indiana, has awarded the degree six times since its founding in 1969. Criteria for the degree include a lifetime of record achievement in faithful service to God, extraordinary personal character and nomination by a member of the Trinity Board of Regents. A native of Trout, Gulde’s first pastorate was at Pritchard Baptist in January 1997. He also has served as pastor of Crowville Baptist and Oak Grove Baptist. He has been pastor of Bethel for the last three years. “I’m honored and overwhelmed from receiving this honor,” Gulde said. “I cherish it and will revere the title and will do my very best to live up to expectations of it for the rest of my … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Ronnie Chiasson ordained into the Gospel Ministry at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Franklinton. Stephanie Howard new as Children Ministry Assistant at Airline Baptist Church, Bossier City. Bill Treadway retires as pastor of Ida Baptist Church. Chuck Johnson has resigned at Youth Minister at Pine Grove Baptist Church, Livingston.   REVIVAL/HOMECOMING Trinity Baptist Church, Eunice: Celebrated 15th anniversary with former members and friends, Feb. 16 at morning services and Dinner on the Grounds. Speaker: James Spell. Pastor: Alvin Ogea. Fair Park Baptist Church, West Monroe: 65th anniversary, March 9, 8 & 10:30 a.m. followed by Dinner on the Grounds, 1:45 a.m. Pastor: Waymon Warren. Cotile Baptist Church: Revival, March 13-15, 7 p.m. nightly. Speaker: Don Gauthier. 32nd Homecoming/Anniversary Service,  March 16 ,11 a.m. followed by lunch. Gautheir will close out revival that day. 11th Hour will be in concert, 1:30 p.m. A love offering will be taken for the group. Pastor: Johnny Miller. Longview Baptist Church, Deville: Revival, March 16-19. Sunday, March 16 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. March 17-19, 7 p.m. Speaker: Bill Robertson. Worship: Second Chance Trio. Pastor: Robby Poole. Judson Baptist Church, Walker: … [Read more...]