By Will Hall, Message Editor BATON ROUGE (LBM) – By a vote of 79-23, Louisiana House members passed S.B. 184, which protects an unborn baby at the first heartbeat, usually detectable between 6-8 weeks of development. The measure authored by Sen. John Milkovich (D-DeSoto), requires an ultrasound “prior to any abortion” in order to establish “whether or not a fetal heartbeat is present,” banning abortion if the unborn child’s pulse is detected. However, an abortion is permitted to “prevent the death … or to prevent a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function” of the mother. Likewise, if the unborn child is diagnosed with a medical condition that “is incompatible with sustaining life after birth,” an abortion is allowed. Arguments were passionate on both sides of the debate. Rep. Valerie Hodges (R-East Baton Rouge, Livingston), the primary House sponsor, led the effort to pass the “heartbeat bill,” arguing a heartbeat is the definitive sign of life. "When a person's heart stops beating, you know their life is ended," Hodges said. "When you can hear a baby's heartbeat it is proof that life is present." She also defended the bill against attempts to add an exception … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS (LBM) -- James K. "Jamie" Dew Jr., vice president for undergraduate studies and distance learning at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has been nominated as the next president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The presidential search committee will present Dew to the full trustee board for a vote on June 5. "As a committee, our focus has been to find the heart of God and the man that God has chosen for this role," said Frank Cox, chairman of the NOBTS presidential search committee. "After much prayer and research, we have been led to unanimously nominate Dr. Jamie Dew. "It is our firm conviction that Dr. Dew embodies the DNA of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary," Cox said. "We believe he will make a great president and will bring out the best in the next generation of Southern Baptists." Cox cited Dew's academic preparation and experience, his ministry background and his engaging personality among the top reasons the committee is recommending the 42-year-old North Carolina native for the role. An extensive presidential search process was initiated after Chuck Kelley's October 2018 announcement that he planned to retire on July 31, 2019. … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees approved three new degrees and curriculum updates for Leavell College and elected new faculty members during their spring meeting April 17. Trustees also received updates on the seminary's "Different Voices" diversity initiative and spring enrollment growth, and they approved the seminary's budget for the coming academic year. And the board utilized the last regular trustee meeting of Chuck Kelley's presidency to recognize his tenure at NOBTS, hosting a banquet and worship service in his honor on April 16 and electing him as distinguished research professor of evangelism during their plenary sessions on April 17. Kelley, who has led the seminary since 1996, will retire from the post July 31. During his presidential report, Kelley lamented the tragic decision by the founders of NOBTS to exclude African American students. While the seminary reversed the policy in the 1950s, the seminary is still working to repair the damage it caused, Kelley said. One step in the process was the creation of the Fred Luter Jr. Scholarship in 2011. Since then, NOBTS has awarded $1.4 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 … [Read more...]

Editor’s Note: After being elected the new executive director, Steve Horn shared his vision for the Louisiana Baptist Convention in the following message to the Executive Board. ALEXANDRIA -- I am humbled and honored to be elected as your Executive Director. I am excited about God’s call and the call of the Executive Board. I cannot wait to get started. Though I have much to learn and analyze before major decisions are made, I want to share with you my hopes for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. As I have prayed about my role, I want to share seven hopes for us as a Convention. Jesus will be exalted. If we can agree on anything, we should be able to agree that Jesus should be exalted. Jesus is the Head of the Church. If He is the Head of the Church, then He is the Head of the LBC. I look forward to times of gathering when we will together exalt Jesus. Let me offer the challenge now that we strive toward the largest attendance in years to our Annual Meeting. Make attending this year in Alexandria, Nov. 11-12, a real priority. Yes, we will conduct business and hear reports, but let’s gather to exalt Jesus. Since churches are essential to our work, churches will be equipped. Baptists are different. As a cooperative … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE (LCNews)—Louisiana College has named Jerry Pipes to lead its Office of Institutional Advancement. No stranger to Louisiana, Pipes was executive pastor at First Baptist Church Bossier City for “three incredible years,” he said. “I had the humbling privilege to build deep relationships with the evangelical community in Shreveport-Bossier. I found the people to be deeply devoted, biblically conservative, missions and evangelism minded, and extremely generous with their resources.” Having spoken hundreds of times in Louisiana churches as part of Jerry Pipes Productions -- an itinerant pastoral and discipleship ministry -- Pipes has traveled the world speaking to millions of people at schools, businesses, civic organizations, military bases, and regional events. “I want my service at Louisiana College to be the best years of my career,” Pipes told LC President Rick Brewer. “With an outlook and commitment like that, I have every confidence that God will bless the efforts of my friend Jerry Pipes,” Brewer said. “He has been a close friend for more than 30 years and is one of the most well-rounded and thoroughly equipped followers of Christ I know.” “Dr. Pipes will be a strategic member … [Read more...]

Editor’s Note: After being elected the new executive director, Steve Horn shared his vision for the Louisiana Baptist Convention in the following message to the Executive Board. ALEXANDRIA -- I am humbled and honored to be elected as your Executive Director. I am excited about God’s call and the call of the Executive Board. I cannot wait to get started. Though I have much to learn and analyze before major decisions are made, I want to share with you my hopes for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. As I have prayed about my role, I want to share seven hopes for us as a Convention. Jesus will be exalted. If we can agree on anything, we should be able to agree that Jesus should be exalted. Jesus is the Head of the Church. If He is the Head of the Church, then He is the Head of the LBC. I look forward to times of gathering when we will together exalt Jesus. Let me offer the challenge now that we strive toward the largest attendance in years to our Annual Meeting. Make attending this year in Alexandria, Nov. 11-12, a real priority. Yes, we will conduct business and hear reports, but let’s gather to exalt Jesus. Since churches are essential to our work, churches will be equipped. Baptists are different. As a cooperative … [Read more...]