By Roy Hayhurst, GuideStone Financial Resources DALLAS — On March 23, attorneys for GuideStone Financial Resources, Reaching Souls International and Truett-McConnell College, along with more than 30 other ministry organizations, will present oral arguments in the ministries’ litigation against a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ mandate that would require these ministries to participate in the government’s efforts to provide abortion-causing drugs and devices through their health programs or face crippling penalties. The high court is being asked to determine whether the government can compel the ministries to participate in providing access to these drugs and devices that it could easily provide — without violating the conscience of the ministries — through its own health care exchanges. The case will be among the first argued without Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February. History “GuideStone began working alongside many large and historic denominational health plans when the Obama Administration first signaled that comprehensive health care insurance reform was a top legislative priority,” said Harold R. Loftin, Jr., GuideStone’s general counsel. “We recognized that the unique nature of church … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Disaster Relief pouring in from all over country, including Virginia
Ron Earley, who is from Virginia and drove 22 hours over two days to get to Louisiana, has been a part of numerous responses to disaster since he began serving as a Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team member in 2005. From the flooding disasters from Katrina to Maine to Colorado, Earley, who just starting his five day shift, said he has noticed something that’s unusual compared to most disasters in which he has responded. “A lot of times in disaster, neighbors won’t pull together,” said Earley, a member of the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia Disaster Relief team. “They will wait for help to come in. It hasn’t been the case here. Neighbors are helping neighbors and I am amazed how people are pulling together here.” Early has been joined by other SBC volunteers of Virginia as well as volunteers from Louisiana, Tennessee and Illinois helping victims in the surrounding area. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBNf_HdNZRg … [Read more...]
Disaster relief efforts continue in full force throughout the state
By Message Staff Help is rolling into Louisiana. Almost two weeks after storms dumped more than two feet of rain in areas of the state and caused the worst flooding seen in Louisiana in more than 25 years, units from 12 states have arrived to lend a helping hand. One such Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team from Arkansas along with a couple of disaster relief team members from First Baptist Church in Pineville spent Tuesday morning preparing 850 meals for those affected by the flooding in central Louisiana. Stationed at Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church in Alexandria, the team is working through March 28 there. Ed Whitson, a member of the Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief team from Arkadelphia, Ark., told the Baptist Message this is their passion and mission to those hurting after the flooding. "As Baptists, this is part of our mission," Whitson said, "to serve in any place in need and get the word out about our Savior." Jamie Stansell, a member at First Pineville, was helping the team from Arkansas prepare a meal of salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls. He enjoyed meeting the team from Arkansas and serving those in his own area who had been affected by the flooding. "I've been trained before … [Read more...]
Long, hard recovery in store for flooding victims; growing number of volunteers trying to ease the burden
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Nearly two weeks after historic flooding has ravaged many parts of the state, both Southern Baptist and Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief units and a growing number of volunteers continue tireless working to help rebuild lives and give hope found through Jesus. Since the flooding began, churches at 12 locations -- First Baptist Church in Haughton, North Monroe Baptist Church, First Baptist Church in Farmerville, East Leesville Baptist Church, Pinehill Baptist Church in Leesville, Cross Roads Baptist Church in Vinton, Westside Baptist Church in Natchitoches, Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church in Alexandria, Trinity Baptist Church in Franklinton, Woodland Park Baptist Church in Hammond, First Baptist Church in Bogalusa and Rolling Hills Ministries in Ruston -- have served as staging areas for Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief operations. Volunteers from 13 states so far have responded. John Cowling with Rolling Hills Ministries said multiple opportunities for service are available and volunteers needed. "Those who are wanting to serve can visit one of these locations and they will plug them into serving beside a trained Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer," he said. With … [Read more...]
LC’s Preview Day draws 100+ from four states
By Norm Miller, LC communications PINEVILLE (LCNews) - In one of the best attended preview days in the history of Louisiana College, more than 100 prospective students visited the Pineville campus March 19, tripling the event’s attendance from a year previous. Representing private, public and home schools, the multi-ethnic group came from four states: Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. “Preview Day was a success not just because we had a record number of attendees, but because we are expanding the scope of Christian Liberal Arts education,” said Brandon Bannon, vice president for enrollment management. “Today’s parents and students seek a college, where the education is relational, relevant and rigorous, and they are discovering Louisiana College to be that school,” LC President Rick Brewer said. “Indeed, we are preparing students not just for a degree, job or career, but for life.” About 30 who registered for the event did not attend, but LC is reaching out to them with an invitation to the college’s annual Cochon de Lait, April 23. … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief sessions scheduled at four locations this week
With the need for trained disaster relief volunteers a high priority throughout Louisiana, four locations are hosting training sessions, sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Disaster Relief. Two sessions will take place in Sulphur and Natchitoches Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Houston River Baptist Church in Sulphur will offer mud-out training, where volunteers will learn how to clean out the inside of homes damaged by the flooding. Trinity Baptist Church in Natchitoches will hold mud-out and shower unit training that night as well. The cost is 28 dollars at both locations and includes a hat and shirt. Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge will hold mud-out training. The training fee is $22, and includes a hat and shirt. And through Saturday, First Baptist Church in Haughton will host two short sessions each day for walk-up volunteers wishing to minister in Bossier, Caddo and Webster parishes. Pastor Gevan Spinney said the free sessions are at 7 am and noon, and volunteers should come wearing rubber boots. Other equipment will be provided. Over the weekend, 134 volunteers were trained in mud-out, feeding, chainsaw, childcare and ham radio at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston while another … [Read more...]
LC’s debate team wins in two categories
By Norm Miller, LC communications PINEVILLE (LCNews) - Louisiana College’s debate team competed at the inaugural Alvin College Classic International Public Debate Association tournament in both the novice and professional divisions on March 4-5 in Alvin, Texas. LC Debate Coach Brian Manuel took top honors in the professional division, and Stephen Marsalis - a third-year debater and junior history major from Lafayette, Louisiana - was a semifinalist in the professional division. “Louisiana College is one of the oldest organizations on campus, and it owns a winning history,” said Manuel, an adjunct professor at LC and middle school English teacher in Oakdale. “I am deeply proud of our team because they prepared diligently and represented LC admirably. We continue to see improvement in our statistics.” Learning to debate teaches students how to communicate clearly and authoritatively while being persuasive in a cordial manner, Manuel said. “It helps students to be prepared with an answer in most any situation they may face, whether one-on-one, or with colleagues, or even larger audiences.” The next competition for Louisiana College’s debate team will be the National IPDA championship March 31 - April 3 at Lee … [Read more...]
Grow old without growing cold, Ginn advises
By Tyler Johnson, LC communications PINEVILLE (LCNews) - With music, Bible reading and prayer, Louisiana College opened its March 17 chapel service that featured Jeff Ginn, pastor of Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. Ginn outlined his “Growing Old Without Growing Cold” sermon from Joshua 14, saying one must have a strong start, a patient pace, and a fearless finish. Illustrating his entire sermon, Ginn noted Yuichiro Muira, an 80 year-old Japanese man who in 2013 summited Mt. Everest, saying he had the will to strive for success even after growing old. The sermon text indicates Caleb had a strong start because he followed the Lord whole-heartedly throughout his youth. Moses promised land to Caleb and his descendants because of his heart and loyalty to the Lord and despite his lineage to Esau. Ginn said Caleb is an example for today’s young people who should not let others look down on them because of their age. Caleb’s heritage was not powerful or royal, but God used him because God had a plan for Caleb. “Through humble origins God has blessed my life. Despite being told I wouldn’t amount to anything, God has blessed me,” said Ginn, whose parents were sharecroppers. Sprinters work hard for a short period … [Read more...]
Vick at the Red River Waterway’s Ben Routh Recreation Area
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lebDYDctzhQ All is quiet at the Red River Water's Ben Routh Recreational Area on March 18. Floodwaters from the river have overtaken this picnic area. … [Read more...]
The raging Red River at John H Overton Lock & Dam No. 2 in Poland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJHnFV2Mb_o As more floodwaters move southward, the Red River, as seen in this video taken at the Red River Waterway’s John H. Overton Recreation Facility, is raging through and past lock and dam No. 2. The river continues to rise almost a foot a day and is expected to crest at 40.5 feet in Alexandria on Sunday, March 20. As of Friday at 3 p.m. the river stood at 70.3 feet. The river is expected to crest late Sunday or early Monday. … [Read more...]
