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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Freedom of religion wins in Bladensburg cross case

By U.S. Sen. John Kennedy All across our country, we have memorials and monuments to remind us of great people who did courageous things. Some of these memorials and monuments are under attack simply because they happen to reflect what I believe and what all of you believe: God exists. On Sept. 18, 1919, the mother of a fallen WWI soldier led the groundbreaking ceremony for one of these monuments—the Bladensburg “Peace Cross.” The cross serves as a symbolic grave for 49 local men who died in World War I. That monument has stood for 100 years, but a recent lawsuit nearly brought it down simply because it is shaped like the cross on which Jesus died. A liberal group, the American Humanist Association, filed a complaint in 2012 claiming the Bladensburg cross violated the First Amendment because it was a religious symbol - more specifically, a Christian symbol - on public land. The case eventually wound up before the United States Supreme Court. The left’s argument was both absurd and offensive. That is why I joined a group of 109 members of Congress last August in submitting a letter — called an amicus brief — to the Supreme Court saying that the cross should stand. The First Amendment prevents Congress from establishing a … [Read more...]

Apollo 11: Aldrin celebrated Lord’s Supper on the moon

By Will Hall, Executive Editor ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – The world is set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of man’s greatest achievements: the landing on the moon by an American astronaut crew. But few know that God was exalted in the lunar module before the historic “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” took place on July 20, 1969. Mission commander Neil Armstrong made this grand declaration, broadcast to the world, as he became the first human to walk on the lunar surface. But minutes earlier, lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin asked the television audience watching on earth “to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way.” He turned off communications and pulled out a package containing the elements of the Lord’s Supper. Then Aldrin read the words of Christ: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever abides in me will bring forth much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Aldrin later explained in a number of publications that the blackout was the result of NASA’s heightened political sensitivity due to a lawsuit by atheist Madelyn Murray O’Hare. She had filed an objection to the televised reading of Genesis 1, months … [Read more...]

Beth Moore charges SBC conservatives with ‘sin’, recants 2009 statement on ‘homosexual sin’

By Will Hall, Executive Editor HOUSTON (LBM) -- LifeWay’s best-selling author, Beth Moore, created more controversy in June and July, accusing Southern Baptists in the Conservative Resurgence of “sin” while recanting a 2009 statement she made about “homosexual sin.” Moore stirred controversy when it was discovered that she had revised her decade-old book, “Praying God’s Word,” to delete a paragraph she said, July 6, “exceeded Scripture and singled out same-sex sin as particularly satanic.” In 2009 she wrote in the book that “He’s showing me” some things about “sexual strongholds” and then cited promiscuity, pornography and homosexuality as undermining the “sanctifying work of Christ.” Now she has deleted a passage from the electronic version of her book that called homosexuality “another deadly assault of the evil one in our society.” Moore said she made the change because she “heard from some heartbroken mothers about their kids who were having a hard enough time feeling ostracized as it was.” Among the changes she made, she deleted the statement that “God indeed can deliver you” and removed another part that said “complete transformation is possible … because God’s Word says so … [and] because I have witnessed it … [Read more...]

Haitian orphans call ‘Village’ home

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer CROIX-DES-BOUQUETS, Haiti (LBM) – The Children’s Transition Village in Haiti has welcomed its first group of economic orphans, after more than five years of prayer and hard work by Louisiana Baptists and the Haiti Baptist Convention. According to Darrin Badon, president of Louisiana Reach Haiti (a partnership between the Louisiana Baptist Convention, Haiti Baptist Convention, Louisiana Baptist churches and the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home) seven boys entered the facility in Croix-Des-Bouquets July 1. The buildings are designed to be home for up to 20 boys and 20 girls. But the hope is to eventually reunite the children with their families. “Every day in Haiti the battle for the family is being fought,” said Badon, also director of operations at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. “Often it seems like a war that can’t be won -- as poverty and high unemployment destroy one generation after another. Many children end up in orphanages, but care can range from good to deplorable. “We will offer our children the best of care. But not to keep them,” he said. “We can’t be, and will not be, a place that divides the family that God designed and created. “As we receive these … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist new believers make waves in Florida

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PANAMA CITY, Florida – A small area in the Gulf of Mexico, just off a sandy white beach in Panama City, Florida, served as a “baptistery” for 20 students and adults from Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, at the end of summer camp in late May. Student Pastor Kevin Flattmann beamed with excitement as 18 young people each declared they were a new creation in Christ through baptism. Two repentant adults – who were convicted because they had not yet been obedient in being baptized despite enjoying the forgiveness of salvation -- joined the youth in being buried and raised in Christ in the saltwater. “You put a lot of effort in these camps and you pray so much for God to work in those students’ lives during the week it take place,” Flattmann told the Baptist Message. “They are dealing with things today you never thought they would be dealing with, and to see them take this important step of baptism is a powerful representation of how the Gospel changes lives. To see these students have the outward joy of Jesus written on their lives as each one went down into to ocean water and up was a moment I’ll never forget.” Before camp began, Flattmann led several months of prayer times with … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention seeks resolutions, nominees

ALEXANDRIA (LBM) -- Louisiana Baptists are invited to recommend candidates for service on state convention boards and committees, and, are asked to submit resolutions for possible consideration by messengers at the 2019 Louisiana Baptist Convention. COMMITTEES The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Committees is conducting its work, Sept. 7, to nominate persons to serve on various state convention committees. Currently, 17 nominees are needed for service on committees, including: Credentials; Moral and Social Concerns; Nominations; Order of Business; and, Resolutions. Nominees for committees should be sent to Keith Sheridan, pastor of Lee’s Creek Baptist Church in Bogalusa, who is the Committee on Committees chair. Recommendations should be sent to him not later than Aug. 16 via email, pastor.keiths@gmail.com., or through the U.S. Mail: 1803 Lee’s Creek Church Road, Bogalusa, LA 70427. BOARDS The LBC Committee on Nominations is beginning its work to fill vacancies on state boards. At this point, 32 nominees are needed to serve on the LBC Executive Board and as trustees of Louisiana College, the Children’s Home and Family Ministries, the Baptist Message, and the Baptist Foundation. The Committee on Nominations chair is … [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. ON THE MOVE Dana Trahan is the new pastor at One Life Church, Walker. Joey, wife Rachel, Anwar is the New High School & College Minister at First Baptist, Haughton. Jeff, wife Mary, Hurst is the new pastor of Alabama Baptist Church, Arcadia as of July 15. HOMECOMING Evergreen Baptist Church, Bernice: 129th Homecoming, July 28, 10:30 a.m. Special Music: Sanctuary Quartet. Pastor: Wayne Sistrunk. Beech Springs Baptist Church, Quitman: 112th Homecoming Celebration, July 28, 10 a.m. A covered dish lunch will follow morning worship. Speaker: Jason McNaughtern, former pastor. Special music: Southern Plainsman Quartet. A love offering will be taken. Pastor: Jim Lancaster. REVIVAL Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville: Revive Monday, July 22, 29. July 22: Evangelist: Mike Stone. Worship: PBC Worship … [Read more...]

STEVE HORN: He is fully able

LBC Executive Director ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- In a time of uncertainty like this, when we await the exact path and strength of the storm, we also need to wait on God and watch to see where He is at work. The saying is true that “Sometimes God calms the seas and sometimes He calms the sailors.” I have seen Him do both and remind all of us to trust Him. Let us respond to the impending storm as Daniel’s three friends did when they faced the ridicule of King Nebuchadnezzar and the blazing furnace as recorded in Daniel 3:17-18: “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Remember that God is mighty to save, and He is fully able to miraculously calm this storm. Until we know otherwise, let’s pray to that end. … [Read more...]

LBC DR ready, watching, praying as state braces for Barry

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- As the state braces for Tropical Storm Barry, Louisiana Baptists John Hebert and Gibbie McMillan shared about disaster response preparations being made in anticipation of the damage that could result. Hebert, the missions and ministry director for the Louisiana Baptist Convention who oversees disaster relief operations, said disaster relief leaders already have put a plan of action into place. “We’ve assessed our resources and issued alerts to our trained personnel to prepare themselves and their mobile units,” Hebert said. “In addition, we are ready to establish command centers, and our folks are maintaining a constant state of readiness – literally watching and praying.” Hebert added that if the storm hits Louisiana, the disaster relief organization will respond immediately. If the storm shifts course, he said “we are ready” to respond to requests for help from neighboring states. “Our priority will be to assist churches, staff, then members,” McMillan said in describing how resources will be allocated. “After that we assist the people in the areas around our churches. McMillan is the Louisiana Baptist disaster relief coordinator for the state. “If they need food, … [Read more...]

What are you watching?

By Steve Horn If you live in my part of the world (Louisiana) you likely have seen a headline in recent days that indicated, “All Eyes on Gulf” or “Watching the Tropics” or something similar. We are waiting to see how much rain we get with a Tropical System. After a similar system in August 2016 which flooded us to the point that some never returned, we tend to get a little jittery with such headlines. Maybe the headline is not “All Eyes on Gulf.” It might be “All Eyes on Trump” or “Russia” or “North Korea” or “Iran.” The truth is we wait for the next news. Some wait for the next episode of their favorite show. Some watch their online bank account for the next automatic payroll “drop.” We live in a day when we “watch” Facebook or Twitter for our “friend’s” (or “enemy’s”) next post. The point is we live “to watch.” The writer of Proverbs gave us a wise word about watching. As wisdom is personified, the writer of Proverbs said, “Anyone who listens to me is happy, watching at my doors every day, waiting by the posts of my doorway.” (Proverbs 8:35) I have learned through the years living in Louisiana that updates from the National Hurricane Office comes every four hours so we wait for the next update. As I wait, I … [Read more...]