By Will Hall, Message Editor When the Louisiana legislature passed measures during a special session earlier this year to close the gap in the state budget, lawmakers targeted a number of transactions that included activities of local churches. The Louisiana Baptist Convention consulted with attorneys and tax experts to develop guidance on how these apply to congregations and associations pertaining to such areas as: Fundraisers (cake sales, auctions, golf tournaments and sponsorships) Admission and registration fees for conferences Food banks and clothing stores Snack shop and bookstore sales These changes are effective immediately; however, a second special legislative session will convene June 6 specifically to address some of the tax issues relating to nonprofits. The guidance for churches and associations is posted at https://louisianabaptists.org/tax-changes-louisiana-churches/. Meanwhile, ministry leaders should monitor BaptistMessage.com and LouisianaBaptists.org for updates. Cake Sales Overview:  A member church’s congregation bakes cakes and donates them to the church for sale to the congregation and/or general public. Analysis:  Prior to April 1, 2016, sales of items at a fundraiser event for a … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional reporter NEW ORLEANS -- Having overcome a crisis of faith to complete her college degree, Brenda Thornton walked the chapel stage at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. Thornton was one of 13 LCIW graduates in the first-ever awarding of bachelor degrees at the prison by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's Leavell College, marking a milestone for the program that began five years ago. "I'll be honest, I didn't think I would make it," said Thornton, who received a bachelor of Christian ministry degree with a minor in women's ministry May 18. Thornton credited Sandra Vandercook, NOBTS/Leavell College associate professor of English and education, with helping amid her spiritual storm, saying, "What helped me? My professor." NOBTS President Chuck Kelley challenged the LCIW graduating class to be ready for what God had planned next in their lives. "I don't know what God will do with you or through you, but I know He has plans," Kelley said. "Get ready. Get busy. God has something He wants to do." Drawing from the biblical account of Joseph, Kelley reminded listeners that those who sold Joseph into slavery meant him harm, but God in His sovereignty intended it for good and used it to … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – In a day when reports of demise for news media are common place, the Baptist Message is bucking the trend, according to Editor Will Hall. “We have good news about your Louisiana Baptist Message,” Hall told board members during their recent spring meeting. “About what we’ve been able to do the last six months, what we are looking to do the next six months, and beyond that.” Hall said the Message dedicated a good part of the year, so far, documenting recovery efforts after the record rainfall which devastated many parts of the state. “Early in the season, our focus was on the flooding across the state and Louisiana Baptists’ response to the tragedy through our comprehensive disaster relief efforts,” Hall said. “More than 18,000 homes were affected, according to FEMA. Importantly, most of these were in the north where most of our churches are located and most of our DR volunteers. So we emphasized the valiant work of our DR teams.” Hall reviewed several of the compelling stories published on the Message’s website and promoted through social media streams, and described how these articles translated into growth in online presence. The website and Facebook platforms now … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer DEVILLE – Six young children from Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville made a declaration that was simple, yet life-changing, after an Awana meeting on a Wednesday evening in March. The fifth and sixth graders approached Children’s Ministry Director Tracy Orr and called out in unison, “We want to get saved.” “All of you?” Orr responded, who was overjoyed by furiously yes-nodding heads and lots of excited laughter. Each of them prayed to ask for forgiveness of their sins and to commit their lives to Jesus within a week, and they were baptized. Orr saw them smiling with excitement prior to their baptisms and was reminded of the miracle of salvation. “Watching them, all in their white robes, they almost seemed to sparkle and shine with the new life that bubbled up inside them and spilled out,” she said. “They weren’t afraid. They were in love with Jesus, the only one who can do such miracles.” The six children are among 19, of all ages, who have been baptized at Philadelphia Baptist Church this year. Pastor Philip Robertson is hopeful the congregation will equal or surpass last year’s 70 baptisms. He said that baptizing is part of the Great Commission given to the church in Matthew … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MONROE – The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home is now northeast Louisiana’s second largest residential provider for homeless children and their families. Grinning with excitement, Children’s Home President and CEO Perry Hancock told trustees during the entity’s spring board meeting that the news from the Northeast Louisiana Home Coalition only reaffirms fulfilling a vision that was first dreamed of six years ago. “The need is so great because domestic violence is so high in northeast Louisiana,” Hancock said. “This creates a place to stay for a while and train the homeless mothers and their children in ways they can provide a better life.” Started in 2012, HomePlace provides homeless women and their children a place to stay for six to 12 months at no cost to the residents. While there, the women receive a high school equivalency degree and life and employment skills training through the Christian Women Job Corps. In April, some residents moved into a new cottage, offering an array of amenities to offer a true home environment for the women and their children in this transitional setting as they prepare for independent living. Since inception, 80 percent of the women participating in … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LAFAYETTE – One day, Caleb Lanclos’ tooth ached, so he turned to the Lafayette Community Health Clinic to have it removed. On April 16, Lanclos returned to the clinic with a different purpose – to give back to a business that was there for him in a time of need. Armed with a rake and pressure washer, Lanclos and fellow members of First Baptist Lafayette spent a few hours that Saturday morning cleaning up the grounds of the clinic. By the end of the day, the team had accomplished the name of their effort – First Baptist Loves Lafayette. “Because I was a recipient of their services, I knew this was a way I could give back to them,” Lanclos said. “This day is my favorite day of the year. You can be selfless and help someone out. It doesn’t even feel like work and you are there to serve those who live in your community.” Lanclos’ and his fellow team members were among 449 people from the church involved in some ministry project across Lafayette, to love their city in practical ways. These 26 projects included placing pine straw underneath shrubs on the University of Louisiana-Lafayette campus, laying mulch at an area park, cleaning city murals and picking up trash along a stretch of a … [Read more...]