Washington, D.C.–After receiving First Liberty Institute’s appeal, as well as correspondence from Members of Congress, the Secretary of the Air Force today announced that it reversed the unfavorable decision of an Air Force Equal Opportunity investigator against decorated Air Force Colonel Leland Bohannon, clearing his name, and fully restoring his service record. Col. Bohannon was on the verge of being promoted to a one-star general when he was suspended from command in 2017. Orders were also handed down recommending he not be promoted. The colonel was punished after he declined to sign a “certificate of spouse appreciation” for a retiring master sergeant’s same-sex spouse. An Equal Opportunity investigator determined at the time that the colonel had discriminated against the airman – and went on to say that “even had the accommodation been granted, Col. Bohannon would nonetheless be guilty of unlawful discrimination.” First Liberty Institute, one of the nation’s most prominent religious liberty law firms, argued that the colonel went out of his way to accommodate the airman by having a two-star general sign the document. Col. Bohannon had flown combat missions in the Middle East and he is the … [Read more...]
Air Force veteran sues after being pulled from ceremony mid-speech
Washington, DC—First Liberty Institute and attorneys with Kirkland and Ellis filed a lawsuit this evening with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of Oscar Rodriguez, Jr. and Charles “Chuck” Roberson alleging that Air Force officials violated the religious liberty of both Rodriguez and Roberson when uniformed Airmen abruptly interrupted a flag-folding ceremony at Roberson’s retirement and assaulted Rodriguez before he could use the word “God” in a flag folding speech. “No one should be assaulted for saying the word ‘God’ on an Air Force base,” said Hiram Sasser, General Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “Certainly, our United States Airmen are strong enough to be exposed to the word ‘God’ at a retirement ceremony.” During Roberson’s retirement ceremony held in April 2016 at Travis Air Force base, at which Rodriguez—himself a retired Airman—was Roberson’s invited guest, multiple, uniformed Air Force officials assaulted Rodriguez and forcibly removed Rodriguez from the ceremony for starting a speech that would include the word “God.” (Read Oscar’s entire speech by clicking here.) “I spent my career in the Air Force defending this country from its enemies,” said Oscar Rodriguez. “I … [Read more...]
Jesus really did rise from the dead.
Bt David Roach, Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) -- Did Jesus really rise from the dead? It's a question asked and answered each Easter in news reports, television documentaries and personal conversations. This year, two Southern Baptists who train others to defend the faith have offered their thoughts on the best way to answer. Rob Phillips, who leads apologetics for the Missouri Baptist Convention, pointed to the "minimal facts argument," which defends the resurrection using only evidence "considered virtually undeniable," even by skeptics. Stephen Wellum, a theology professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said evidence for the resurrection always must be coupled with an explanation of the resurrection's significance within the Christian worldview. Phillips told Baptist Press the minimal facts argument is "a compelling case for the resurrection" in the 21st century because "there appears to be such a high level of skepticism today about the Bible in general and about its recorded miracles in particular." Citing Liberty University apologist Gary Habermas, Phillips noted two requirements for a "minimal fact": "First, each fact must be confirmed by several strong and independent arguments, typically 10 or … [Read more...]
EASTER: ‘No fear in death!’
By Steve Gaines, SBC President MEMPHIS, Tenn. (BP) -- As I walked into the hospital, I looked on a visitation card at the name of the man who had requested that I visit him. He was dying of cancer and wanted me to come and pray with him. I was honored to do so. When I walked into his hospital room, I was taken aback by his appearance. His body was thin. His skin was darkened. His teeth were shattered. All of this was the result of endless rounds of chemo. Yet in spite of all the doctors could do, Jim was dying. He was on the brink of eternity. He knew he was going to heaven but he was still afraid. He said, "Pastor, I know I am saved. I know that when I die, I'll go to heaven. But I'm afraid. I've never died before. I'm afraid of what death will be like. Can you help me?" We talked about what happens when a Christian dies. We talked about how his spirit and soul would soon leave his body and go directly to God's presence in heaven. Then the Lord gave me a thought to share with Jim that I'd never shared before. iStock I said, "Jim, when I was young, I was afraid of the dark, especially any dark area in our house. I remember coming home at night with my family. My father knew about my fear of darkness. So, … [Read more...]
He Is Risen!
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. Matthew 28:2-7 (KJV) … [Read more...]
Frank Page announces retirement as EC president
By Art Toalston, Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) -- Frank S. Page, president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee since 2010, has announced his retirement. In a letter to EC members, Page wrote, "It has been my joy and honor to serve the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention for eight years. "Many months ago, my daughters shared their deep desire for Dayle and me to retire and move closer to them in South Carolina so that we might spend more time with them and their families -- especially our grandchildren. After much prayer and conversation, we have chosen to make this decision," Page, 65, wrote. He did not set a retirement date but stated to EC members, "Know that I am willing to assist in any way to make this transition efficient and smooth." Page was the 2006-2008 president of the SBC, elected to the post as pastor of First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C. Before being elected as Executive Committee president in 2010, Page was serving as vice president of evangelization for the North American Mission Board. Among the hallmarks of Page's tenure as EC president have been strong calls for personal evangelism, support for the Cooperative Program … [Read more...]
Women’s discipleship underscored at NOBTS event
By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS -- At home or on the job, women committed to discipleship and transformed by Christ can change the world, speakers said at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's "Discipling women into the future" conference. Rhonda Kelley, wife of NOBTS President Chuck Kelley, said the March 15-16 sessions aimed to equip women to minister through the church to other women, which the seminary's women's academic programs likewise do. "Women are gifted by God to serve Him and others but must develop those gifts and abilities personally," Kelley said. "As women grow in their faith, they can pour truth and experience into the lives of others through discipleship and mentoring. What a joy to train others for woman-to-woman ministry." Comedian Anita Renfroe opened the conference with a performance of song and laughter. Renfroe, whose stage and television appearances include the Grand Ole Opry, "Good Morning America" and CBS' "The Early Show," has produced numerous DVDs and books including "The Purse-Driven Life" and "Don't Say I Didn't Warn You: Kids, Carbs and the Coming Hormonal Apocalypse." Renfro, in her concluding devotional thoughts, called on women to give God whatever is in … [Read more...]
Invested in theological education strategy, Arnetts left a lasting impact in Africa, the world
By Julie McGowan RICHMOND, Virginia— On March 14, International Mission Board missionaries Randy Arnett, 62, and Kathy Arnett, 61, were traveling to a theological training event when they were involved in an automobile accident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Missouri-natives did not survive. The Arnetts, who served as theological education strategists for Africa, were traveling with fellow missionaries Jeff and Barbara Singerman, from Ohio, when the single-vehicle accident occurred about two-hours’ travel from Kinshasa, the nation's capital. The Singermans, who also sustained injuries in the accident, were transferred to Kinshasa for medical care. They have since been transferred to Johannesburg, South Africa, for continued care. The missionaries were driven by a Congolese national who also sustained injuries but has been released from medical care in Kinshasa. “Randy and Kathy Arnett in so many ways represent what is best about the IMB,” said IMB President David Platt. “They gave their lives and family for over 30 years proclaiming the gospel, planting churches, and training pastors and missionaries across Sub-Saharan Africa. They did all of this with a zeal for God’s name, a confidence in God’s … [Read more...]
Seniors in Faith observe a ‘youth movement’ in baptisms
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Wednesday she stepped inside Faith Baptist Church in Bastrop for a youth Bible study. Years of a strained relationship with her father combined with difficulties in school had taken its toll on Musgrove – until that June 2016 evening when she learned about the love Christ has for her. That night Musgrove turned over her troubles to God, declaring Jesus as Lord, and the following Sunday she was baptized. Musgrove now enjoys spending time with her father, and even hopes one day to attend college as she pursues her dream of becoming a surgeon. “Jesus has truly changed the way I see life,” Musgrove said. “My home life has changed to the point that my dad is thrilled when I come inside the same room to hear me sometimes sing for the Lord. I am truly not the same girl that I was when I came to Faith Baptist Church two years ago.” OLDER REACHING YOUNGER Musgrove is one of 32 youth baptized since January 2016 at Faith Baptist, a church that has seen Christ move miraculously among its adult members, with an average age of 70, resulting in this effective outreach to youth. Pastor Bodie Spicer said the catalyst for the change occurred during a Morehouse Baptist Association … [Read more...]
LC Nursing regains “full approval” status with Louisiana State Board of Nursing
By Norm Miller, LC News PINEVILLE (LCNews) -- In a letter received this week by Louisiana College, the Louisiana State Board of Nursing re-instated full approval status upon LC’s Nursing Program pursuant to a decision reached at the LSBN’s February meeting. Last year the LSBN placed the College on probation because the 2016 NCLEX-RN licensure examination pass rate fell below the required 80 percent. “We are grateful for our commendable faculty and committed students for their hard work and studious efforts during the last year to regain what was lost,” said Marilyn Cooksey, Dean of the Rife and Carolyn Saunders Nursing program at LC. “We remain confident that our proposed measures initiated last year to remediate this matter will continue to improve our test scores and the competency of Nursing skills among our students.” “A year ago, we employed several strategies and solutions in response to this matter,” said LC President Rick Brewer. “It looks like we had the right approach and right people. The LSBN allotted three years to alleviate the problem, and Dr. Cooksey and her staff resolved it in one.” General solutions proposed a year ago were increased rigor and the elevation of test and grading methods. Specific … [Read more...]
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