By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA – Congressman John Fleming dismisses the idea popularized in the mainstream media that the U.S. House of Representatives is in chaos because they have rejected the next-in-line candidate to succeed the retiring Speaker of the House. “Neither Republicans nor conservatives are in chaos,” he told the Baptist Message. Instead, he said conservatives are simply following a process to bring about change in leadership that would also bring about a change in direction. “Conservative members and the Republican base want a ‘fresh face,’” he said. “We are all tired of big government merging with big business to carry the corporate agenda and that of the secular extreme left wing while ignoring average Americans.” average Americans.” The Louisiana Republican who represents the 4th U.S. Congressional District said that when John Boehner “was pressured to retire” from his position of leadership, “there was a reluctance by many conservatives to simply promote the next guy, Kevin McCarthy.” He said such feelings resulted from Boehner’s leadership team’s begrudging conservatives “very little voice” in the legislative agenda, thus hampering conservatives’ efforts to oppose the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Cheers, high-fives and even a human wave were plentiful earlier in the month for a crowd of 100 gathered to witness the baptism of several members of HIS Church in the Red River. Some were husbands and wives; others were individuals, all wading through the water on this comfortable October evening. Those being baptized were ecstatic to show family, friends and onlookers their declaration of a new life in Christ through baptism. The six baptisms were the second to be performed in the river this year by the church, with two other baptisms occurring in nearby Buhlow Lake. In all, around 85 people have been baptized, with the most (43) occurring during an earlier lake baptism before a large crowd of more than 300. HIS Church Pastor Steve Speer said baptizing in the river and lake brings about a sense of nostalgia from when baptisms in churches and even during biblical times were held almost exclusively in that setting, instead of the more traditional baptisms inside a worship center. “We like to baptize outdoors because it’s a retro thing, an old-fashioned way of doing things,” Speer said. “In our quest to redefine how we do church, we embrace some ways of the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COUSHATTA – Nathan Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church in Coushatta, is expected to be nominated for the office of president of the Louisiana Baptist Pastors Conference. Brad Jurkovich, pastor of First Baptist Church in Bossier City, told The Baptist Message that he plans to nominate Davis. “I have known him to be a godly man and leader,” Jurkovich said. “He and I received our Doctorates from Southwestern Seminary together. He is strong biblically, shepherds his congregation with faith and vision and is committed to seeing Southern Baptists make a difference for Christ throughout Louisiana, America and the world.” Davis said if elected he would welcome the opportunity to encourage and challenge fellow pastors in these challenging days. “The reason that I would want to be Pastors Conference president is because I love to minister to pastors,” Davis said. “Also, I love to organize services with great singing and great preaching. “Pastors have always had a special place in my heart,” he continued. “I want to see them encouraged and challenged to grow in their faith. I count it a privilege to even be considered.” Since 2010, Davis has served as pastor of First Baptist … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Northwestern State men’s head basketball coach Mike McConathy is not just about winning games on the court but also teaching young men off the court how to be effective in life. “What’s my job as a coach?” McConathy told those attending the recent First@First Business Leaders Lunch at First Baptist Church in Pineville. “To teach young men how to be effective in everything they do.” Whether in coaching or business, training for life-effectiveness involves two key components, McConathy said. They are communication and paying attention to details. “If we expect a lot of others we’ve got to give a lot,” said McConathy, who has served as coach of the Demons for 16 years. “And I think that we give and we give unconditionally because Christ gave unconditionally for us.” McConathy said he doesn’t ask his players to do something he would not do himself. “My philosophy is if somebody asks me to do it, I’m going to find a way to do it, because they would not ask me to do something if they really didn’t need help,” he said. “A lot of times with God, how frustrating do you think He gets with us because He asks us to study scripture, He asks us to praise Him, He asks us to … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY – Northwest Louisiana is the sight of yet another battle for religious freedom in public schools. The Louisiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union recently sent a letter to the superintendent of the Bossier Parish Schools, accusing Airline High School of “engaging in a pattern of religious proselytization.” The letter states that prayer boxes with Christian symbols have been established throughout the school and religious messages have been included in newsletters posted on Airline High School’s website. After the letter was sent to Bossier Parish Schools, the ACLU learned information from a source was not entirely accurate. “We had a photograph of those boxes and were told that they were scheduled to be installed the next day, which did not happen,” said ACLU Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman in an email to The Baptist Message. “Our goal is, as it always is, to ensure compliance with the law. I hope you will make clear that the ACLU has a long and proud history of defending the religious rights of all Americans.” The ACLU also states in the letter they understand that Airline High School Principal Jason Rowland has encouraged students to … [Read more...]