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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

LC’s C3 to tackle ‘Critical Race Theory’ from biblical perspective

By Sierra Boudreaux, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Coach Dale Clayton, a 40-year veteran of college baseball and athletic administration will speak on the “The Biblical Response to Critical Race Theory” Monday, Sept. 20 at the C3 conference. The C3 (Christ, Church, Culture) conference was started by LC President Rick Brewer to discuss today’s issues through biblical truth not only the campus community, but the surrounding communities as well. And there is no bigger topic today than the critical race theory. The theory is based on the idea that race is a social construct that has been embedded in many policies and legal systems instead of it being the product of individual bias or prejudice.” The conference starts at 6:30 p.m. in Guinn Auditorium and the public is invited to attend. Masks must be on worn in the building. “Critical Race Theory as a Marxist construct is problematic on multiple fronts and antithetical to the Gospel,” Brewer said. “As a Christ-centered college built on the truth of God’s Word we view our culture through the lens of Scripture. Coach Clayton will address the fallacies of CRT by offering biblical application and truth. “According to Christopher F. Rufo, founder and director of … [Read more...]

Opelousas sophomore chosen as LC’s president for a day

By Staff, Louisiana College PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) -- Isabel “Izzy” Armand, a sophomore exercise science major from Opelousas, was selected as Louisiana College’s inaugural honorary student president for the day during the school’s first chapel of the 2021 fall semester. Armand, who is a Wildcat navigator this year, facetiously told a packed Guinn Auditorium she wanted to increase the pay for faculty and cut student tuition as he first order of business. After LC President Rick Brewer explained the reality of her decisions, she said if she really had to choose something that she could do it would be to help her softball team and give them a locker room update. “My illustration of granting Izzy both a PhD and Honorary President role was to demonstrate how someone (Christ) paid the price and placed her in a position of honor (PhD/President) through his (Christ’s) finished work at the Cross,” Brewer said. “All Izzy had to do was to receive the gift and step into her “calling” (putting on the robe, doctoral hood, cap & medallion).” Following chapel, she was feted at a catered luncheon in the President's dining room along with her closest friends and  Brewer. Armand said she believes Brewer chose her for the honor … [Read more...]

20 years after 911, three SBC leaders reflect on that fateful day

By Jill Waggoner, Ethics, & Religious Liberty Commission Today is the the 20th anniversary of 9/11, three Southern Baptists leaders who held significant leadership roles on Sept. 11, 2001, help us to remember that infamous day in American history and consider its impact on the convention and our world. At that time, Dr. Richard Land was the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission; Dr. James Merritt was the president of the Southern Baptist Convention; and Dr. Jerry Rankin was the president of the International Mission Board. Each man shared his experience and reflections with us. Their words remind us of the difficult decisions during that time, the preciousness of our religious liberty, the value of every human life, and our call to take the gospel to the nations. Jill Waggoner: Where were you when you heard the news on Sept. 11, 2001? Richard Land: We were in the middle of our trustee meeting. I was getting ready and listening to the news when I saw the first plane hit. I called Bobby Reed, our chief financial officer, and I said, “Have you heard? Call the rental companies and get every rental car you can find, because they are going to shut everything down.” We ended up carpooling some of our … [Read more...]

Two Texas volunteers seriously injured by falling tree

By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor COLYELL La. (LBM) – Two volunteer members of a Texas Baptist disaster relief chainsaw crew were seriously injured Friday, Sept. 10, when a tree they were cutting fell prematurely. The incident happened in the Colyell community of Livingston Parish. Presently, there are more than 1,000 volunteers from 14 states assisting with disaster relief in Louisiana. “This is a solemn reminder that the work we are doing is dangerous,” Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry Team Director John Hebert said Saturday, Sept. 11. “We can’t see inside the tree or know how twisted it has become from the winds of the hurricane. “The injuries to the volunteers are serious but praise God that though their injuries are serious, Mike (Aronson) is okay and Jeff (Smith) is recovering.” Smith sustained the most serious injuries as he broke his leg in three places, suffered damage to his vertebrae and had a brain bleed. He was airlifted to an undisclosed hospital in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Disaster Relief Strategist Stan Statham visited with Smith and his family Saturday, Sept. 11. “Yes, I was able to meet with Jeff and his wife. Jeff is in great spirits and expects to make a full recovery from his … [Read more...]

After major storm cleanup, NOBTS reopens campus

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College President Jamie Dew announced the reopening of the school’s campus Sept. 7 following Hurricane Ida. The campus has been closed to residents since the Aug. 29 storm knocked out electricity throughout the region. Campus power was fully restored late in the day on Sept. 6 and seminary facilities crews checked every campus residence to assure there were no unit-level electricity problems. After the facilities team assessed each unit, Dew invited residents to return and reoccupy campus housing. “The campus is now open and we are very excited about that,” Dew told the seminary family via a social media video. “I’m excited to see you back on campus to continue the work God put us here to do.” In a video addressed to campus residents, Dew urged returning students, faculty, and staff to buy groceries and fill up with gasoline before entering the city. While many stores are reopening and some supplies are available, there are long lines at grocery stores and gas stations. With power restored to over 75 percent of the residences in New Orleans, Dew warned the basic services could be strained for the next few days … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. HOMECOMING First Baptist Church, Ball: Homecoming, August 1, 10:45 a.m. with a meal following the worship service. Worship: The Good News Gospel Trio. Pastor: Mike Hedrick. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Pollock: Homecoming, August 1, Sunday School, 9:45 a.m.; 10:45 a.m. Gospel music concert by Mountain View Connection Group. Lunch will follow. Speaker: David Maxwell. Pastor: Micah Murrell. ON THE MOVE Keith, wife Suzanne, Sheridan is the new BASELA (Baptist Association of Southeast Louisiana) Director of Missions. He was formerly pastor of Lee’s Creek Baptist Church, Bogalusa. Tony Carter is the new pastor at Unity One Baptist Church, Franklin. Jeff, wife Mary, Shows is the new pastor at East Winnfield Baptist Church, Winnfield. He comes from Union Hall Baptist Church in Coushatta. He officially begins July … [Read more...]

How Do I Start a Multiplying Church?

By Lane Corley SHARE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. The Gospel is a proven and tested VIRAL Idea. And Jesus promised to empower the spread of the Gospel through the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 FIGHT FOR SIMPLICITY AND REPRODUCIBILITY. Jesus’ started a movement which has exponentially multiplied, partly, because it was as simple as water, bread, and wine.Simple Church = Saying No to Almost Everything.Ask: Is my ministry 2 Timothy 2:2 Simple? CREATE MARGIN. We have so little multiplication because churches have so little margin. We have JUST ENOUGH, instead of MORE THAN ENOUGH.Margin is typically created through BIG CROWDS or RADICAL SIMPLICITY.More than enough can also be toxic. Like a sponge. Like buried talents. Jesus meant for us to use what we have. LOOK FOR LOW HANGING FRUIT. Persons of Peace. New Believers network of relationships. Apostolic Leaders. People Groups and Population Segments. Existing Social Movements. People Scattering and moving about the country. New Churches. New Ministries. MAKE ROOM FOR UNBRANDED MINISTRY. Is the invite to our brand of church louder than the invite to the head of the church? Build partnerships with like-minded ministries who are sharing the Gospel of Jesus … [Read more...]