By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press PHILADELPHIA (BP) -- Christians can lead holy lives by the same power the Apostle Paul called on in his struggle between the flesh and the Spirit recorded in Romans 7, immediate past Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter told worshippers at a Philadelphia gathering of black Southern Baptist pastors and leaders. "The reason Southern Baptists … I am convinced that we can win this battle is because of this fact. You're not fighting this battle on your own. You're not fighting this battle under your own strength," Luter said in the Sept. 30 keynote sermon of the National African American Fellowship Kingdom Symposium at Nazarene Baptist Church. "The reason we can win this battle … is because of the Jesus that's in you, because of the power of Christ that is in you." Luter's sermon, "The Super Bowl for Your Soul," capped presentations by seven other pastors and denominational leaders at the event hosted by NAAF president and Nazarene Baptist Church Pastor K. Marshall Williams Sept. 29–30 at the church in the historic Germantown community. "Living Holy and Clean in 2015: What shall we say to these things?" was the symposium theme. "The enemy is after your mind, your marriage, your … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Myers, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary communications KARMEI YOSEF, Israel (BP) - Added evidence that an ancient water system at Tel Gezer in Israel could be the product of Middle Bronze Age Canaanites living between the time of Abraham and the Israelite conquest was uncovered by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's archaeology team during a challenging dig season this summer. The Bible provides a tantalizing parallel to the Gezer system in the accounts of King David. In 2 Samuel 5:6-9, David's men utilized a "water shaft" to invade and conquer the fortress of Zion/Jerusalem. This rock-hewn system has been located in Jerusalem's "City of David" area. Visitors can walk the entire length of that Canaanite system. Based on all the available data, Dan Warner, co-director of the NOBTS Gezer dig, believes the City of David tunnel and the Gezer system are both products of the Middle Bronze Age. The Gezer water system excavation is a joint project of the Moskau Institute for Archaeology at NOBTS and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA). The dig is co-directed by Dan Warner, an NOBTS professor, and INPA chief archaeologist Tsvika Tsuk. Jim Parker, NOBTS professor and executive director of the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer CHARLESTON, SC – A Louisiana Baptist mud out team is responding to a call for help in the wake of the recent flooding in South Carolina. The team of eight from Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association, Northshore Baptist Association and Two Rivers Baptist Association left Monday for Charleston. They are expected to remain there a week. Moisture from Hurricane Joaquin caused up to 20 inches of rainfall in parts of South Carolina from Oct. 3-5. The result was flooded homes, washed out roadways and damage to businesses. Louisiana Baptist state disaster relief director Gibbie McMillan is asking anyone available to sign up to serve on for additional teams that will be sent. “We are asking for other teams that would be able to go,” McMillan said. “The need is great and we are fully intending to do this through December.” Some monetary donations have been received to help offset the costs for disaster relief work there. But more than money, prayer is needed, McMillan said. “When you get a burden from praying, you will want to give,” McMillan said. “Thanks Louisiana Baptists for all you do to enable those who can go and serve. It is not overlooked.” To donate, go 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 by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (a student organization) 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 … [Read more...]

By Gary Myers, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary public relations NASHVILLE (BP) - With the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina fresh on his mind, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley offered a testimony of God's grace and mercy during his report to the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. "We serve an awesome God who delights in expressing His character through amazing works He does on behalf of His churches, His people and the lost of the world," Kelley said Sept. 21 in Nashville. God's sufficient grace, Kelley said, sustained the seminary through the Katrina recovery effort and provides hope for current challenges at NOBTS. God's grace also provides a framework of hope for denominational challenges such as the funding crisis at the International Mission Board, he noted. "Ten years ago at this meeting I stood before you homeless," Kelley said. "The clothes I was wearing were purchased for me by Dr. John Sullivan of the Florida Baptist Convention. This little storm called Katrina had come ashore near New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast." Early in the storm recovery, prospects for New Orleans Seminary looked bleak. The entire main campus family -- faculty, … [Read more...]