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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

GBO allows Louisiana Baptists to respond to many needs

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – The bad news – Louisiana has seen hundreds of thousands of dollars re-routed to other parts of the country. The good news – it’s been going to help penetrate the lostness across the United States. When Kevin Ezell became president of the North American Mission Board in 2010, he proposed, in concert with state convention leaders, a strategy that gradually shifted resources away from Southern states such as Louisiana that have a strong membership and financial base to states outside the South that typically do not have those same resources needed for ministry. Louisiana Baptists’ Executive Director David Hankins assured Ezell that Louisiana Baptists would respond positively to take care of their own. “I shared with Dr. Ezell that Louisiana Baptists are happy to be a part of the effort to penetrate lostness in North America,” said Hankins. “We believe our country needs to hear the Gospel. “I also assured him that we would step up to the challenge of fully supporting missions and ministries in Louisiana.” Formerly, many mission projects and personnel were jointly supported by the state and NAMB. Even though part of the support has gone away, the need for the … [Read more...]

Mike Johnson offers pro-bono defense to LSU’s football chaplaincy program

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE – In the wake of the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s claims that the chaplaincy program at Louisiana State University is unconstitutional, Mike Johnson, chief counsel of Freedom Guard, has offered to defend the school pro-bono. Officials from FFRF released a report on Aug. 17 entitled “Pray To Play: Christian coaches and chaplains are converting football fields into mission fields.” In the 25-page report, which was followed by a letter sent to LSU and other schools including several in the Southeastern Conference, the organization that focuses on separation of church and state said public universities and their employees are forbidden from endorsing, promoting or favoring religion. “Yet, many football coaches at public universities bring in chaplains—often from their own church or even members of their own family—to prey on and pray with students, with no regard for the rights of those students or the Constitution,” the report said. “These coaches are converting playing fields into mission fields and public universities are doing nothing to halt this breach of trust. They are failing their student athletes. The purpose of this report is to expose this … [Read more...]

Planned Parenthood takes state to court over Medicaid cuts

By Sandy Cunningham, Louisiana Right to Life This afternoon in federal court in Baton Rouge, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast asked U.S. District Judge John deGravelles to temporarily prevent Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration from pulling Medicaid funds from the abortion business while further appeals are argued. deGravelles is the same judge who should rule any day now on the case regarding the state's 2014 admitting privilege law. In the case, Planned Parenthood vs. Kathy Kleibert, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Planned Parenthood claims the action violates federal law and places thousands of women's critical care in jeopardy. But the state is citing a state law that allows cancellation of a Medicaid provider agreement with a 30-day notice. The Medicaid funding cut was supposed to take effect today, but the state agreed in court to extend the date until Sept. 15 in order to respond to a brief filed by the government late Monday. Once responses are filed, the court will issue a ruling on Planned Parenthood's request for a temporary restraining order. Benjamin Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, issued the following statement: "It should be the prerogative of the governor … [Read more...]

Louisiana College revival continues tonight

Louisiana College continues its three-day campus revival tonight, with Lee Howell, founder of Awaken Men Ministries and director of St. George Island Christian Retreat Center, bringing his message at 6:30 pm. The revival began on Sept. 1, with Sammy Tippit preaching and the Gathering Place band leading music. The revival concludes on Thursday, when renowned youth evangelist Curtis Zackery speaks in chapel at 11 am and that evening at 6:30 pm. Area churches are leading music each session. Zion Hill Church tonight and on Thursday the LC Chapel band at 11 am and the Philadelphia Baptist Church choir at 6:30 pm. In the past, Dr. David Allen and last year Dr. John Bisagno, Dr. Alvin Reid, and Dr. Sammy Tippit spoke at the Joseph Willis Symposium, which served as the Campus Revival. Philip Caples, Vice President of Integration for Faith and Learning and Assistant Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Ministry at LC, encouraged pastors, the campus community and others around the state to attend this year's revival. "We have great speakers and worship leaders, and the atmosphere on campus is set for the Lord to move in a powerful way," he said. LC President Rick Brewer added the revival is important because the school is … [Read more...]

Harrisonburg native, pioneer missionary doctor Wana Ann Fort dies

By Laura Fielding, International Mission Board RICHMOND, Va. (BP) - Missionary doctor Wana Ann Gibson Fort, 91, died Aug. 31 in Baton Rouge. Fort and her husband, the late Milton "Giles" Fort Jr., served with the then-called Foreign Mission Board as pioneer missionary doctors at Sanyati Baptist Hospital in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). At this hospital, Fort and her husband helped launch a spiritual awakening through medical missions. The Forts, appointed as missionaries in 1952, led countless patients to Christ. "We were committed to being God's hands of mercy and healing to souls and bodies," she once said. She and her husband raised five sons in Zimbabwe. Three have served or continue to serve as missionaries with the International Mission Board. Two of the Forts' sons are medical doctors. "Mom lived out the reality of her faith," said Gordon Fort, one of Wana Ann's sons and IMB senior ambassador. "As wife, momma, teacher, doctor, women's worker, and serving missions support functions, she demonstrated what it means to live a life of obedience to the Master. It has been our incredible privilege to have been a part of her life's journey." During the Forts' missionary service in Africa, the Shona people … [Read more...]

Eastwood Baptist Church places blue cross on worship center building to honor fallen law enforcement officers

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAUGHTON – In the wake of recent fatal shootings of law enforcement officers in Louisiana, Eastwood Baptist Church has erected a cross that lights up as the color blue. While the 10-foot tall cross remains blue, the congregation hopes those who pass by will not only notice the bright colors but remember to pray for and honor those policemen, sheriff’s deputies and others serving them in law enforcement. “We figured anything we can do to give recognition to our fellow officers is the right thing to do,” said John Burnes, chairman of the leadership team at Eastwood Baptist Church. “In Louisiana, our fallen officers have a target on themselves. The more we can get people to realize it’s about praying and doing other things to minister to policemen rather than shoot them, the better off we will be as a society.” For Burnes, honoring law enforcement hits close to home. His brother has served as a member of the Bossier City police department for 26 years and is a member at Eastwood. Burnes also has relatives and friends who live in Sunset, where police officer Henry Nelson from the south Louisiana community lost his life responding to a disturbance call on Wednesday … [Read more...]

Janet Huckabee discusses prayer, the state of America during visit to Baptist Building, LC

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA/PINEVILLE – The wife of presidential candidate Mike Huckabee visited Central Louisiana today, sharing her thoughts on the need for prayer, the condition of America and her husband’s bid for the highest elected office in the United States. Janet Huckabee’s Wednesday morning began early as she did a radio interview at a local station, attended the prayer meeting at the Louisiana Baptist Building in Alexandria and ending her morning by talking to a group of students and pastors at Louisiana College in Pineville. During her message at the Baptist Building, Huckabee said if everyone in the room had a chance to sit at the table with George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Jesus Christ and discuss the state of the country, what would they say to them. “Would you be able to say anything at all and would we be able to honestly say we are doing everything in our power to give our children and ,yes, our grandchildren back a better America then where we grew up,” said Huckabee, a native of Lake Charles. “I think I would probably say we might not be able to do that.” Later, Huckabee shared the importance of having a team of 10 ladies praying for her on a daily basis. This team prays for such requests … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

ON THE MOVE Harry, wife Brooke, Brown is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Ringgold. Justin Hardin is the new minister of youth at Beulah Land Baptist Church, Haughton. Brandon, wife Lacey, Lewis is new minister of youth at First Baptist Church, Haughton. Tom Descant is the new associate pastor to families at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Franklinton. Scott Teutsch is the new interim pastor at Plain Dealing Baptist Church, Plain Dealing. Tom Cole is the new music minister at Shreve City, Shreveport. Jeff Triplett is the new youth minister at First Baptist Church, Haynesville. Joe Bob Alexander is the new interim pastor at Ferry Lake Baptist Church, Oil City. Mark Caruso is the new associate pastor/youth minister at Pine Grove Baptist Church, Livingston. HOMECOMING Red River Baptist Church, Benton: 166th anniversary and homecoming celebration, Aug. 30, 10:45 a.m. Speaker: Wayne Dubose. Morning worship celebration will be followed by dinner on the grounds. All former members, pastors and staff are welcome to attend. Pastor: Josh Cagle. Bethel Baptist Church, Colfax: Homecoming, Sunday, Aug. 30, 10:45 a.m. Following the morning service there will be covered-dish dinner and fellowship in the Family Life Center. … [Read more...]

GBO provides needed support for missions and ministries

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer In the midst of challenging economic times, supporting missions and ministries in the state can prove difficult. However, over the last 10 years Louisiana Baptists have demonstrated a strong commitment to state missions by their growing support of the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering. The offering has gone from approximately $1.2 million in 2005 to just under $2 million in 2013 [thanks in part to a large one-time gift], and $1.6 million in 2014. “Louisiana Baptists want to be a part of reaching the world and North America,” said David Hankins, executive director for Louisiana Baptists. “But when it comes to reaching those living inside our borders, it becomes personal. They want to do whatever needs to be done to reach the estimated 2 million people who don’t know Jesus.” “Be Something” taken from Ephesians 5:1, where Paul encourages the believers living in Ephesus to “be imitators of Christ,” is the theme for this year’s offering. The offering is named after Georgia Barnette, the first elected and paid WMU executive director/treasurer in the state. She would travel by boat, pirogue, horse and buggy, and train from her home in New Orleans to other areas of Louisiana to visit … [Read more...]

New church plant Boots N Saddles uses horses, riding to share Gospel

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer FOLSOM – Addison Hill steps up onto the quarter horse, glowing with excitement. Moments later, the 11 year old rounds the pin inside the Good Guys Farm arena. A girl of few words, this first-time horse rider communicates the feelings of the other 15 youth present on a humid summer evening in south Louisiana. “It’s fun and different,” Hill said. “I don’t have a horse myself and finally get to ride one, so I’m pretty excited.” Fifteen minutes later, the horse riding stops momentarily while Pastor Louis Husser brings a message, not only about the horse, but the hope of Jesus Christ. Riding his team roping/heel horse, Husser brings a 20-minute ‘Sermon on the Mount,’ mixing stories about the relationship of trust and voice command he has with his horse with sharing details about how to have a relationship with Christ. “We’ve built a relationship where I expect him to recognize my voice,” Husser tells a crowd of 55. “I’m going to be patient with him so he’ll hear my voice. “How you hear from God is very simple,” he continues. “God will speak to us through His word, through the Bible. If we listen, God’s word will tell how to have a relationship with Him.” This is the fourth time this … [Read more...]