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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Police seek additional information on former New Orleans youth minister accused of sexually abusing juveniles

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – Investigators are seeking any additional information on a former youth minister arrested on allegations of sexually abusing two teenage boys. Ryan Rodgers, who was a youth minister at several churches in Jefferson, Orleans and Plaquemines parishes, turned himself into authorities the morning of June 26. Rodgers is accused of touching two teenage boys in appropriately while they were sleeping, according to a press release from the New Orleans Police Department. The victims informed detectives that Rodgers woke the boys and fondled them. They told Detective Stephanie Taillon this went on for more than a year. Taillon learned Rodgers bought the victims underwear and made them pose in front of him. Most of the encounters occurred inside Rodgers’ Baronne Street apartment in New Orleans, the press release said. Detectives believe Rodgers assaulted other victims as well and are asking anyone who is a victim to contact Taillon at 504.658.5733. When the news first broke, some media outlets implied Rodgers had an ongoing affiliation with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, identifying him as a youth minister with the seminary. However, according to Kelley, these … [Read more...]

LC’s Brewer to bi-vocational pastors: ‘Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly.’

By Norm Miller, Louisiana College Communications PINEVILLE --  Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana College, keynoted the June 26 afternoon session of the Bi-vocational and Small Church Leadership Network National Celebration, held June 26-27 on LC’s campus. Prior to his remarks, Brewer invited the Blackwell Trio -- who had opened the meeting -- to join him around the piano in an impromptu mini-songfest. “I want to share with you a few words of challenge and commitment,” Brewer later said, referring to Micah 6:8 as “a summary statement for those of us as Christ followers.” Brewer quoted the verse: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” “If we could just simply do those things daily, what an impact we would have on the world around us,” Brewer said. “To act justly. You know what that means: do the right thing … be men and women of integrity … be a peacemaker. Do the things that bring about healing.” Loving mercy means to be merciful, “to extend acts of kindness, random acts of kindness” and practice the “Golden Rule -- to treat people even better than you would expect to be treated -- to leave places … [Read more...]

Persecution: Are you ready?

By Sherwon Williamson, Magnolia Baptist Church in Saline, La. I’m sure everyone is aware of the recent Supreme Court decision legalizing homosexual marriage across the nation. If you have turned on a TV or logged on to the internet in the past few days you are also aware of the outpouring of opinions from people on both sides of the issue. While the issue of homosexuality is an important and pertinent topic of discussion, and one of which I am convinced that Scripture is very clear on, it is not the topic I want to discuss now. I want to talk about something that I believe is a little deeper and that some people may not even realize yet. That something is persecution. When was the last time you thought about persecution? When was the last time you thought about it in the context of you or your family being persecuted right here at home? Sadly, I must confess that this is not a topic that I meditate on often. This is not something that we experience very often here in the United States, at least not blatantly, and we have taken that freedom for granted. I believe that is freedom that we will find more and more lacking in the coming years. The legalization of homosexual marriage is not the root issue. After all, … [Read more...]

Gunter resigns as Grant Parish Justice of the Peace in response to Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage

By Philip Timothy, Message Managing Editor POLLOCK – Patricia Gunter stands firm on her faith and her beliefs. On June 26, following the ruling by the U.S. Supreme court to make same-sex marriage legal throughout the land, Gunter quietly turned in her resignation which became effective Tuesday. She is the first justice in the peace in Louisiana to resign in response to the Supreme Court ruling. A justice of the peace conducts marriages, authorizes evictions and arbitrates disputes valued at less than $5,000. The 390 justices of the peace in Louisiana are not paid but can keep half of the filing fees. Connie Moore, head of the Louisiana Justice of the Peace and Constable Association, told the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate in a July 1 article she has been getting a lot of questions since Friday. Some JPs flatly refuse to issue licenses to same-sex couples, while some are wondering how little they can get away with, and others are asking how to fill out the forms now. “God’s word is the ultimate authority,” said Gunter Wednesday morning. “He clearly laid it all out when he said that marriage is between one man and one woman. Therefore, when the Supreme Court ruling allowed same-sex marriages, I felt, as a Christian, it … [Read more...]

Will Hall unanimously elected new Message editor

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – By unanimous vote, trustees of the Baptist Message, the news journal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, elected Will Hall as editor of the state newspaper and digital media outlet. David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, also named Hall director of the office of public affairs for the state convention. “I am extremely excited about the election tion of Will Hall as the editor of the Baptist Message and director of Public Affairs,” Hankins said. “Dr. Hall’s outstanding credentials, fruitful experience and Christian character will be a blessing to Louisiana Baptists as he leads us to communicate the message of Christ to our churches and our culture.” Message Board Chairman Tim Hisaw expressed similar views on the election of Hall. “We are blessed to have Will Hall come on board to lead the Baptist Message,” said Hisaw, pastor of Tioga First Baptist Church. “When we looked at the candidates, Will rose to the top. The future of the Baptist Message looks bright with Will at the helm.” Hall most recently was executive editor and director of operations for the Christian Examiner, helping launch the digital news service in October … [Read more...]

Hineston woman starts Facebook page to get Christians voice heard again

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HINESTON – A Hineston woman has started a Facebook page to get Christian voices heard again. Tiffany Busby Dunn, a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Hineston, started the Facebook page “The Christian Flag Movement” around 2:15 am today. By 4 pm, the page had received 394 likes. Dunn said that her heart was burdened over the attacks Christians in the United States have faced over the past several years. After talking with a friend who planned to display the flag in her home, Dunn felt led to take a stand and start the Facebook page. “We have been discouraged from public prayer, and told that the Bible is no longer welcome in most schools,” she said. “We have been criticized for our morals and fundamental belief system, all the while being told we should be more open minded to the beliefs of others. “The symbol of the Cross has been attacked on many occasions by different groups because it is ‘offensive to them’ while Christians are expected to suffer in silence and not say anything when something offends us,” she continued. “If we do speak up we are labeled judgmental or prejudice.” Dunn hopes all Christian denominations will take up the challenge to display the … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

ON THE MOVE B.K. Miller is new interim pastor at Cypress Baptist Church, West Monroe. HOMECOMING Richey Baptist Church, Deville: 71st homecoming celebration, July 5, 10 a.m. - noon. Dinner on the grounds will follow the service. Speaker: Former pastor Bob Galloway. Pastor: Grady Dodge. University Baptist Church, Lake Charles: 50th anniversary celebration with an open house, July 11, 2-4 p.m. Refreshments will be served and all former pastors and members are invited to attend. For more information call 337.480.9410 (Monday-Wednesday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.). Pastor: Carlys Beard. Hillcrest Baptist Church, Franklinton: Church anniversary celebration, July 19, 11 a.m. at the Education Building at the Washington Parish Fair Grounds. Attendees will meet in Education Building for a brief program and then proceed to the newly renovated Flower House for a pot luck meal/picnic. Pastor: Andrew Voss. LAGNIAPPE Randy Bowman is seeking interim, bi-vocational or pastorate position preferable in the southern portion of Louisiana. Please call 337.441.9637. First Baptist Church, Lafayette: Ice Cream Fellowship, July 5, 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Bring your ice cream, cookies and brownies beginning at 5:30 p.m. Judging will … [Read more...]

LC’s Division of Business receives 10-year accreditation reaffirmation

By Norm Miller, Louisiana College Communications PINEVILLE –The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) reaffirmed on June 6 the accreditation of Louisiana College’s Division of Business. “Achieving ACBSP reaffirmation is a rigorous process,” said Cheryl Clark, LC’s interim vice president for academic affairs. “Each accreditation standard assesses a college’s ability to perform in critical areas, such as teaching, research, curricula development, and student learning.” “This reaffirmation of accreditation for our Division of Business is a credit to our exceptional faculty who clearly and compellingly teach with a commitment to quality,” she said. “Every one of our professors cares deeply about the college and about making sure that students have a tremendous experience during their years at LC.” First accredited in 1995, LC’s Division of Business is one of the oldest members of ACBSP. “ACBSP’s reaffirmation of accreditation confirms that Louisiana College’s business program meets the standards of excellence in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, student and stakeholder focus, measurement and analysis of student learning and performance, faculty and staff focus, and education and … [Read more...]

Antioch Baptist Church enjoys time at FUGE Camp at Mississippi College

By Andy Kanengiser, Mississippi College Communications CLINTON, Miss. – Antioch Baptist Church kids and parents enjoyed every mile of the journey to a FUGE Christian camp at Mississippi College. Worship services, quiet moments for Bible study, sports, fellowship time and much more were a real blessing for the church delegation from Farmerville, Louisiana. The annual June trip to the 5,000-student Baptist-affiliated university in Clinton was the sixth for parent chaperones like David C. Byrnes. He calls it his best one yet. “We love coming to Mississippi College because of its location and the facilities are great,’’ Byrnes says. “The camp pastor was awesome and we had two kids get saved.’’ Seventeen children and seven parents were part of this summer’s contingent from Antioch Baptist Church. Well-known for its Louisiana Watermelon Festival in late July and fun adventures to go fishing, boating and swimming at D’Arbonne State Park, Farmerville is sandwiched between Monroe and Ruston. So, the trip for the Louisiana church delegation is a quick two-hour and 15-minute ride on I-20 to the Clinton, Miss. campus. Once they get off the bus, they see a Clinton campus that’s steeped in history. Founded in 1826, … [Read more...]

Churches should take proper child safety security measures

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer The innonence of a child must be protected at all costs. Fortunately, the expense can be minimal and the investment will reap dividends for churches that take proper child safety security measures. That’s the consensus among children’s ministry staff the Baptist Message talked to regarding this sensitive yet important matter. “It’s much less expensive to put these things in place than for a church to have a lawsuit or have their insurance removed,” said Carrie Moreau, children’s ministries coordinator at Sale Street Baptist Church in Lake Charles. “Isn’t it better to be prepared than not prepared? The benefits far outweigh the cost.” Though an improper incident involving an adult and child has never occurred at Sale Street, not taking action was something the church could not afford. Their first step was researching what steps other churches had taken. Since the church was undergoing a building renovation, Sale Street instituted security measures in the construction process. Those included installing large windows on each classroom door, placing locks on all storage closets and making a check-in/check-out station. At the check-in/check-out station, parents of children … [Read more...]