By Kimberly Pennington, Christian Examiner NORCROSS, Ga. -- Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias issued a call July 16 for Christians to apply the Gospel in three ways – what he calls "bridges" - to the current cultural divide on homosexuality. In his July 15 blog post, Zacharias, founder and president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and teacher of Let My People Think radio broadcasts, explained how society's division on gay marriage began several decades ago. "As Christians, we often look outside of ourselves and wonder why the world is so different from us. We seldom pause and ask how the Church of today has become so different from what it was and so indifferent to the world around us," Zacharias wrote. "Liberalism is not just a political term. What has happened in our world was foreseen a few decades ago. Changes were underway then and we were taken by storm from within," he continued. "Culture at large moved unabashedly towards the mockery of the Christian worldview . . . But the Church is really where the titanic shifts in the culture started," he continued. "As the liberal church swung to the extreme of religion without absolutes, the evangelical church flirted with emotionalism without intellect, … [Read more...]
Iran deal: persecuted church ‘left behind’
VIENNA (BP) - The nuclear deal struck by Iran and six world powers led by the United States has drawn criticism from evangelicals for its potential ill effects on Israel and persecuted Christians in the Persian nation. The American Center for Law and Justice lamented that the deal, which was announced today (July 14) in Vienna following 20 months of negotiations, apparently does not include the release of American pastor Saeed Abedini from an Iranian prison. Johnny Hunt, a former Southern Baptist Convention president who has led First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., to do extensive mission work in Iran, said the Obama administration's willingness to negotiate with Iranian leaders likely encourages the regime to continue persecuting Christians and threatening Israel. "I fear for Israel and other Middle Eastern countries in light of Iran's hatred of Israel along with their many threats," Hunt told Baptist Press in written comments. "I find it so difficult for us as a nation to trust nations that are publicly known for their religious persecution. The lack of accountability of Iran in light of all their inconsistencies with the United Nations leads me to believe that [America's diplomatic engagement with Iran poses] an … [Read more...]
Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals rules against GuideStone in HHS mandate litigation
By Roy Hayhurst, GuideStone Financial Resources DALLAS — The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver ruled today that GuideStone Financial Resources and the ministries it serves in its health plans must comply with the government’s HHS mandate, which forces religious ministries to violate their faith or pay crippling IRS penalties. Churches and their integrated auxiliaries are exempt from the mandate as religious employers. GuideStone, its co-plaintiffs Reaching Souls International and Truett-McConnell College, and attorneys from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and Locke Lord LLP are studying the opinion to determine next steps, including possible appeals to the full Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals or to the U.S. Supreme Court. “We’re disappointed with today’s decision, which leaves in place the federal government’s aggressive, discriminatory, and unnecessary attack on the core religious beliefs of private religious ministries,” said Mark Rienzi, senior counsel of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and lead attorney in the GuideStone litigation. “The government does not need to take over a church benefits plan to provide abortion-inducing drugs — the most powerful government in the world can obviously distribute … [Read more...]
Jindal announces investigation after release of Planned Parenthood video
By Message Staff NEW ORLEANS – Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has announced an investigation into Planned Parenthood after video surfaced showing a senior director of the organization selling body parts of unborn children aborted at its facilities. “Today’s video of a Planned Parenthood official discussing the systematic harvesting and trafficking of human body parts is shocking and gruesome,” Jindal said in a news release on Tuesday. “This same organization is seeking to open an abortion clinic in New Orleans. I have instructed Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals to conduct an immediate investigation into this alleged evil and illegal activity and to not issue any licenses until this investigation is complete. I am also asking the FBI to assist DHH in investigating this alleged criminal activity by this organization.” Center of Medical Progress, a non-profit medical watchdog group, released the footage showing a female identifying herself as Deborah Nucatola and discussing Planned Parenthood Federation of America fetal parts business with an undercover investigator posing as a potential buyer during a July 25, 2014 meeting. Nucatola is senior director of medical services for Planned Parenthood Federation of … [Read more...]
Planned Parenthood Federation of America accused of selling aborted fetal parts
By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) - A woman identified as a Planned Parenthood executive is shown in an undercover video released July 14 negotiating the sale of baby parts gained through partial birth abortions performed at Planned Parenthood facilities. The nonprofit medical watchdog group Center for Medical Progress (CMP) released the video showing a woman identified as Deborah Nucatola, Planned Parenthood Federation of America senior director of medical services, discussing the PPFA fetal parts business with an undercover investigator posing as a potential buyer at a July 25, 2014, lunch meeting. After the video surfaced, Planned Parenthood defended the action of donating such body parts, but said no monetary benefits are gained, other than the reimbursement of costs incurred in the delivery of the body parts. “In health care, patients sometimes want to donate tissue to scientific research that can help lead to medical breakthroughs, such as treatments and cures for serious diseases. Women at Planned Parenthood who have abortions are no different,” Eric Ferrero, Planned Parenthood’s vice president of communications, said in a press release posted on the PPFA website. “At several of our health centers, … [Read more...]
Baptists not shocked by latest Scout vote
By Tom Strode, Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) - The Boy Scouts Executive Committee's approval of gay and bisexual adult leaders disappointed but did not shock Southern Baptist spokesmen -- and prompted one to predict an even greater exodus by Baptist churches from the organization. The Boy Scouts of America announced Monday (July 13) the unanimous vote by its Executive Committee to rescind the across-the-board ban on gay and bisexual employees and unit leaders. The resolution approved July 10 by the committee protects the rights of religious organizations, however, to bar gays from serving as adult leaders. If the BSA's National Executive Board of about 70 members ratifies the resolution July 27, the change will become effective immediately. The Executive Committee's vote followed by two years the Boy Scouts' approval of lifting its prohibition on gay scouts. Ronnie Floyd, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, described the latest decision as "a huge disappointment." "I am saddened that their decision will sacrifice the current and future influence of this organization," he told Baptist Press in written comments. Roger S. Oldham, the SBC Executive Committee's vice president for Convention … [Read more...]
First West hires former Chicago Cubs minor leaguer
By Brandon Rodgers, First West WEST MONROE — First West has announced the hiring of Jericho Jones as its new Pastor to Young Adults. Jericho is not a stranger to Northeast Louisiana. He played college baseball at Louisiana Tech University. Jones was a member of the Chicago Cubs Organization at the minor league level before attending Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Jones will oversee collegiate and singles ministry for the multisite church. “I graduated from LaTech in 2010. During my time in Northeast Louisiana several Godly men and women in my life in so many ways,” says Jones. “I’m so excited to be back! Megan and I are blessed to be joining the First West family. I look forward to serving under Michael’s leadership and working towards God’s vision for First West!” The hiring of Jones comes just over a year after Lead Pastor Michael Wood’s hire. From the inception of Wood as pastor, he has preached the importance of First West impacting the next generation of leaders. “While statistics may say that this generation is hard to reach, the opportunity to have Jericho on our team is immensely valuable. We will now be able to be more intentional in our efforts of reaching university … [Read more...]
Louisiana Notables
ON THE MOVE Harold (wife Brooke) Brown is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Ringgold. Aaron (wife Sharron) Dickinson is the new pastor at Swartz First Baptist Church, Monroe. Jordan Doyle is the new pastor at Pine Grove Baptist Church, DeQuincy. Larry (wife Sue) Anderson is the new worship leader and music director at Ouachita Baptist Church, West Monroe. Emily Funderberg is new children’s director at Ellerbe Road Baptist Church, Shreveport. Ralph Hines has retired at Ferry Lake Baptist Church, Oil City. Chris Willcutt is new as pastor at Grawood Baptist Church, Keithville. Tom Cole is new as minister of music at Shreve City Baptist Church, Shreveport. Hardy Yeats is new as minister of music at Kingston Road Baptist Church, Shreveport. Calep (wife Robin) Lewis is new as senior adult/associate pastor at Trinity Heights Baptist Church, Shreveport. HOMECOMING 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. Beech Springs Baptist … [Read more...]
Building a legacy of giving within our churches
By Jerry Love, Louisiana Baptist Foundation ALEXANDRIA – Each of us typically spends our life acquiring “things” to meet the needs of basic survival. We also acquire “things” to satisfy our desires and to make life more comfortable or efficient. These “things” can include a home, household goods and furnishings, some means of transportation, real estate, various types of collectibles, stocks, bonds, – the list goes on. For some these things are very meager. For others it can represent great wealth. No matter what monetary value these things represent, God expects us to care for and use these things wisely for His glory. And unless we can spend our last dollar on the day we die, we will leave something behind that will need to be transferred to another person or entity. Unfortunately few of us put much thought into how to use our “things” to further God’s kingdom. At best we tithe from current income to our church and give occasionally to special offerings. But to be good stewards of the possessions God has entrusted to us, we must plan for the wise use during life and the wise disposition at death of our assets. The Louisiana Baptist Foundation encourages local churches to implement a program to educate … [Read more...]
Disaster relief volunteers lead three to Christ during flood cleanup
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – Two Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were nearly speechless recently and for good reason. While cleaning out of homes that were damaged by recent floodwaters of the Red River, Freddie Arnold and Ginger McBride witnessed first-hand to others who subsequently accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior there. “It adds a spark of enthusiasm,” said Arnold, a white hat with Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief. “And it encourages everyone to be evangelistic.” Arnold’s conversion experience was with a then-Mormon who worked with a friend from First Baptist Church in Franklinton on a mud-out team. After suffering from overheating, the man stayed behind for a couple of days, which led to a series of conversations about Christ with Arnold and others at the host site of Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport – before eventually converting from Mormonism to Christianity. “He came to tell me he was saved and I told him that was fantastic,” Arnold recalls. “Before he could even get across the room where we were, I heard him call his wife over the phone and others there his news.” Meanwhile, McBride was assessing flooded homes with Virginia Disotell, another … [Read more...]
