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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Former Louisiana Baptists aid violence-ravaged Israelis

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ISRAEL (LBM) – Mike and Suzanne Shumock watched in disbelief at footage from news outlets detailing the atrocities committed by Hamas forces against the Israeli people and knew they could not sit idle. They boarded a plane and arrived in the country in early October to serve on a Texas Baptist Men feeding team in southern Israel. Since then, the Shumocks have helped prepare thousands of meals and seen first-hand the need to be a shining light for Christ amid darkness. Shumock is the former Louisiana Baptist Mission Builders coordinator and now resides with his wife, Suzanne, in Mississippi. “We have not been around many Israelis other than the few volunteers who were preparing meals when we arrived,” Shumock told the Baptist Message. “They are heartbroken and devastated to hear about the horrific events carried out by Hamas. According to John Hall, director of communications for Texas Baptist Men, the Shumocks are among 20 members of a Texas Baptist Men feeding team who are preparing meals that are delivered by Israeli volunteer teams to rocket-ravaged neighborhoods and a hospital in southern Israel. The team arrived in Israel on Oct. 10 and the next day prepared … [Read more...]

SBC CP, designated giving down for month, year

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) – The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee released the September 2023 financial summary, Oct. 4, reporting that monthly gifts to SBC causes through the Cooperative Program and via designated giving were down 1.95 percent and 4.13 percent, respectively, compared to September 2022. Year-to-date giving through both funding channels was also below 2022 levels: -- From Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023, total SBC CP contributions were 4.29 percent lower compared to the same timeframe for the last fiscal year. -- Likewise, combined designated giving was 2.90 less for the same months, with both of the two largest designated funds down compared to last year. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering was off 4.38 percent, and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering was lower by 0.22 percent (less than one-quarter of a percentage point). LBC Giving The national report showed monthly giving by Louisiana Baptists to SBC causes in September was up 6.73 percent through CP and 3.72 percent for special offerings. The yearly data was similarly positive. Louisiana Baptists’ 2023 contributions were higher by 1.50 percent through the CP and 9.36 percent via designated … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists fight for control of U.S. House

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor WASHINGTON (LBM) – Eight Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives together with 208 Democrats voted, Oct. 3, to oust Kevin McCarthy, a member of Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield, California, as speaker. Matt Gaetz, a member of First Baptist Church, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, initiated the removal process, filing a motion, Oct. 2, to vacate the office of speaker, which precipitated the vote of no confidence that removed McCarthy from this key leadership role. McCarthy had known of his precarious position since January when he failed to win the office of speaker after 14 votes. He was successful on the 15th ballot only after he agreed to several concessions to a core group of Republicans, including Gaetz, who were reluctant to back him. One of the changes was made to the rule about the motion to vacate. McCarthy agreed to allow a single person to request such a vote instead of the previous requirement that a majority of the speaker’s party bring the issue to the floor. Consequently, eight Republicans, out of 220, were able to swing McCarthy’s ouster. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a member of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Metairie, Louisiana, and Rep. … [Read more...]