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"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Poll: Evangelicals wholeheartedly on board with Trump, religious ‘nones’ with Clinton

By Gregory Tomlin, Christian Examiner ***This article was previously posted at the Christian Examiner and is used by permission. PRINCETON, N.J. (Christian Examiner) – Evangelicals aren't just warming to Trump; they're on fire for the candidate, if the data from a new Pew Research Center study is correct. Pew reported July 13 that evangelical voters are "rallying" to the candidate and expressing a greater degree of support for the nominally-Christian Trump than they did for the Mormon Mitt Romney in 2012. Then, about two-thirds (73%) of Republican voters said they planned to turn out to support Romney. Now, 78 percent of white evangelicals, a declining share of the electorate (according to thePublic Religion Research Institute), say they'll head to the polls to support the New York billionaire – in spite of the fact that he's had difficultly explaining who Jesus is and what it means to seek forgiveness. Slightly more than one-third of the evangelicals polled (36%) said they "strongly" support the Trump campaign. To read the full story, click here.   … [Read more...]

Undercutting Missions: New Russian law prohibits evangelism, preaching outside state-sanctioned sites

MOSCOW (BP) -- A new Russian law that prohibits evangelism and preaching outside state-sanctioned sites reminds New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary professor Jake Roudkovski of his days as a youth in the Soviet Union. "Baptist churches in Russia will survive" the law signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin July 6 and set to take effect July 20, Roudkovski, associate professor of evangelism and pastoral leadership, told Baptist Press. Such oppression "is nothing new to them.... They will stay faithful to the Gospel." Still, the law "will significantly undercut all of the missionary activities," though it "will not stop [missions and evangelism] altogether," said Roudkovski, who left the Soviet Union at age 17 but has returned on mission trips. The law, part of a package of anti-terrorism measures, will amend a 1997 Russian religion law to ban preaching, praying, proselytizing and disseminating religious materials outside state-sanctioned religious sites, according to a news release from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Russians who share their faith or distribute certain types of religious messages through mass print, broadcast or online media may face fines up to $15,000. Under … [Read more...]

‘Beginning of revival’: Southern Baptists respond with prayers, faith and kindness

DALLAS (BP) -- Holding interracial prayer gatherings, ministering to grieving police officers in the emergency room and hosting a question-and-answer session with police are among the ways Dallas-area Southern Baptists have responded to the violent killings of five police officers last week. The July 7 assassinations, apparently committed by a suspect who reportedly told police he wanted to kill white people, occurred within days of police killing two black civilians under questionable circumstances -- Alton Sterling of Baton Rouge, La., and Philando Castile of the Minneapolis area. President Obama and former President George W. Bush spoke at a memorial service for the slain officers in Dallas July 12. 'All lives matter' Heightened racial tension precipitated by the string of violence prompted Mesquite (Texas) Friendship Baptist Church to host a community "All Lives Matter Prayer Gathering" July 11, at which approximately 700 black, white and Hispanic believers prayed for the families of Sterling and Castile, the families of the murdered police officers and the family of Dallas shooting suspect Micah Johnson, who was killed by police. "Black lives matter because black lives are being traumatized in America today," Mesquite … [Read more...]

Summertime is good for Louisiana Baptist missions

By David E. Hankins, Executive Director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention ALEXANDRIA – I hope this summer season allows you an opportunity to relax, vacation with your family, and otherwise enjoy some time off. But don’t forget the amazing ministries that are taking place this summer. I have been hearing reports of outstanding participation in VBS from churches all over our state with scores and scores of children giving their lives to Christ. Our GOLA VBS teams, sponsored by the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, are working throughout Louisiana and all the way to Canada. Additional summer missionaries from Louisiana are fanned out all over the globe. Numerous other Louisiana Baptists, including LBC strategists, are involved in mission trips this summer from Brazil to Belarus to Indonesia. Another summer outreach staple is our camping ministries. Tall Timbers, our LBC state camp, is experiencing another record year in children and youth attendance with most weeks full to overflowing. We are so thankful for the new Georgia Barnette Missions Conference Center which is nearing completion and which will provide needed room to grow. Even the summer session of the Louisiana legislature afforded opportunities for LBC … [Read more...]

VBS fills baptisteries

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BALL – The baptistery at Tioga First Baptist Church was a little crowded in late June but Pastor Tim Hisaw did not mind. Four children who accepted Christ during the church’s Vacation Bible School walked into the water and, as Hisaw baptized each child, thunderous applause broke out from those packed in the pews inside the worship center. “It’s nice to have a full baptistery isn’t it, bud?” Hisaw told one of the children nearby. “If we get too many it will overflow and flood. It’s a good thing the choir’s not up here or they’d get wet.” Before VBS, Hisaw prayed that four families would join Tioga First Baptist by the time it was over. But God answered his prayers by drawing these four children, instead – confirmation God was at work during VBS, which averaged 85 in attendance each day. Though the children took part in recreation and refreshments, Hisaw said the end goal was sharing the Gospel. “That’s why we do Vacation Bible School,” Hisaw said. “We do this to make an eternal impact on them by introducing them to Jesus.” Church member Misty Stewart said the excitement of accepting Christ during VBS has not waned for her son, Matthew, who was baptized with the three others. Now, … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists take lead on key pro-life legislation

By Will Hall, Message Editor BATON ROUGE – While Louisiana’s budget debate dominated headlines across the state during the three legislative sessions in 2016, Louisiana Baptists in the House and Senate gave critical leadership in passing a number of important measures, especially those with a pro-life emphasis. -- Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Dist. 8), a member of FBC Bossier City, authored HB 1081 (Act 264), the Louisiana Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Act which ends the brutal practice by  abortionists of tearing body parts from a live, unborn child typically as part of late-term procedures. -- Rep. Rick Edmonds (R-Dist. 66), retired pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport and former vice president of Louisiana Family Forum, advanced “Jacob’s Law,” or HB 1019 (Act 563), which protects unborn children from being singled out for abortion simply for being diagnosed with a disability such as Down syndrome. -- Sen. Ryan Gatti (R-Dist. 36), also a member of FBC Bossier City, was the originator of SB 33 (Act 196). This measure prohibits the sale or donation of human limbs and organs harvested as a result of an elective abortion, thus banning groups like Planned Parenthood from profiting from baby body parts. -- … [Read more...]

Tompkins, Keough receive doctorates from Midwestern Baptist Theological

By Staff, Baptist Message KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded degrees to 120 students at its 59th commencement exercises at the Daniel Lee Chapel. In all, 120 students graduated including one diploma from the Midwestern Women’s Institute, one diploma in Christian Ministry, 25 undergraduate, 80 graduate, and 14 doctoral degrees being conferred. Among those receiving doctorates from Louisiana were: Randy Tompkins, Owner of Cornerstone Consultants Ministry and trustee at MBTS and Peter Eric Keough. Tompkins received a Doctor of Educational Ministry and Keough earned a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership. President Jason Allen’s charge to students in his commencement address to, “Finish Well,” as well as a presentation of the institution’s Professor of the Year award. … [Read more...]

Pastor finishes strong, baptizing till the very end

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer DRY PRONG – Lloyd Whitman was nearing his final weeks of a 30-year ministry at First Baptist Church Dry Prong, but refused to “coast along” until he retired. Instead, Whitman wanted to baptize at least one person during his final two months at the central Louisiana church. He did that and more, baptizing at least one person each week from the the first Sunday in January until he stepped out of the pulpit Feb. 28. Whitman said not doing so would have gone against the very mission of Jesus Christ that he has tried to fulfill in his 51 years of ministry. “To see what God was doing at the end of my ministry was rewarding to me,” Whitman said. “The mission of the church is to win people to Jesus. To see that being fulfilled at Dry Prong gave me a sense of thankfulness and gratitude to God that He was moving in a powerful way.” The string of baptisms came on the heels of the end of an 18-month search for a new pastor at First Baptist Dry Prong. Whitman said the congregation had prayed during that time that God would lead them to the right man for the job. In the process, the church experienced its own personal revival. “God was just moving in every area of our church,” he continued. “I … [Read more...]

FIRST-PERSON: Weeping with those who weep

by J. Josh Smith IRVING, Texas (BP) -- Although I live only 10 miles from downtown Dallas, I'm rarely there. But last night, of all nights, I was. I was just a couple of miles south of Dallas when the shootings took place and had to make my way back through the city to return home as the situation continued to unfold. The city looked unlike I had ever seen it. The streets were shut down, blue and red lights reflected off the buildings, and the sky was filled with helicopters. I listened to the reporters on the AM radio trying to make sense of the events that had just occurred. It wasn't until I returned home and turned on the TV that I began to fully understand the reality of what had taken place in this city that I love. It's truly overwhelming. I feel a sense of the gut-wrenching compassion that Jesus felt as He looked out over the multitudes and saw them as sheep without a shepherd. I feel it for the families of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. I feel it for the black community as they try to make sense of the last few days. I feel it for the 12 officers shot last night and their families. I feel it for the families of the five officers killed. I feel it for our Dallas police officers who will continue to protect our … [Read more...]

Louisiana Lagniappe

HOMECOMING Hillcrest Baptist Church, Franklinton: Church Anniversary, July 17, 10:30 a.m. A pot-luck meal will follow the morning service in the Christian Life Center. Pastor: Andrew Voss. Lakeshore Baptist Church, Monroe: 62nd Anniversary, July 24, 10:45 a.m. Pastor: William Smith. Beech Spring Baptist Church, Quitman: 109th Homecoming, July 24, 11 a.m. Dinner on the grounds following the service. Special Music: Glorifying Him. Pastor: Jay Lancaster. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Converse: Revival, July 10-13, Speaker: Gary Hanberry of First Baptist, Larose. Worship: The Mackey Willis Family. Pastor: Lon Almeida Aimwell Baptist Church: Revival, July 13-17. Speaker: Bill Robertson. Pastor: Ronnie Sandifer First Baptist Church, Zwolle: Revival, July 13-17. Speaker: Spencer Lovitt. Pastor: Jerry Penfield First Baptist Church, Minden: Revive (summer revival series), July 17, 24 & 31. July 17, 6 p.m. Speaker: John Lary. Music: Jake & Rachel Chapman. Fellowship following service features ice cream. July 24, 6 p.m. Speaker: Eddie Briery. Music: Joe & Jody Nida. Fellowship following service features hot dogs and soft drinks. July 31, 10:45 a.m. (no first Gospel hour). Speaker: Argile Smith. Music: Ammer Gayle Whatley. … [Read more...]