By Roy Hayhurst, GuideStone Financial Resources communications DALLAS — The U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion today, May 16, ordering the government to work out a solution in the contraceptive mandate cases that would actually protect the religious beliefs of objecting religious organizations, including GuideStone and the ministries it serves. The Court vacated the lower court decision that had gone against the religious organizations, and ruled that the government cannot fine the ministries as the cases proceed. No ministries served by GuideStone have been fined; a temporary injunction has been in place since December 2013, preventing the government from enforcing the mandate or applying penalties against ministries served by GuideStone’s health plans. Churches and closely related auxiliaries of churches were exempt from the mandate from the outset and were not at risk of penalties. “We are thankful, first and foremost, to the Lord for this decision,” GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said. “We appreciate the diligence of our legal teams in working through the legal and constitutional issues that were raised as well as for the men and women of the Supreme Court who took seriously their oaths of office. This is a … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptist pastors speak out, take stand following transgender directive
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer An order by the Obama administration that public schools and universities permit transgender students to use restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to the gender identity of their choosing has drawn opposition from many Louisiana Baptists. Issued on Friday, the order signed by Department of Education and Justice officials threaten to pull federal funding for schools that do not comply. A letter on the matter was sent to all school districts in the U.S. “Schools have a responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including transgender students,” the letter said. “Harassment that targets a student based on gender identity, transgender status, or gender transition is harassment based on sex, and the Departments enforce Title IX accordingly. If sex-based harassment creates a hostile environment, the school must take prompt and effective steps to end the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and, as appropriate, remedy its effects. A school’s failure to treat students consistent with their gender identity may create or contribute to a hostile environment in violation of Title IX.” The letter said a school can provide separate facilities based on the … [Read more...]
32 Louisiana lawmakers ask AG to address Edwards and Obama transgender demands
By Will Hall, Message Editor BATON ROUGE — Almost one-third of Louisiana’s 105 members of the state’s House of Representatives signed a letter Friday asking Attorney General Jeff Landry to determine the constitutionality of separate executive orders issued by the U.S. president and Louisiana’s governor pertaining to the apparent creation of a new protected class, “gender identity.” In a joint letter to the attorney general, 32 representatives said President Barack Obama’s directive issued Friday which “implements new policies to allow ‘transgender’ students to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of the opposite sex” was in direct conflict with federal and state court rulings that “already rejected arguments that Title IX and related federal regulations require schools to provide student access to opposite-sex restrooms and changing areas.” The legislators noted Louisiana law does not recognize transgender persons as a special class, but the signers of the letter still believed “every person deserves respect and dignity.” However, they clarified that “keeping the sexes separate for the purposes of bathroom and locker room access, for example, is important for the privacy and safety of the children and adults of our state.” The … [Read more...]
Baptist Golf Fellowship winners announced
By Jerry Love, LBF Communications ALEXANDRIA – Columbia’s Bruce McGee won individual honors and First Baptist Church of DeRidder convincingly reclaimed team title honors May 9-10 at the annual Baptist Golf Fellowship. McGee, a retired pastor who is now serving as an evangelist, shot an impressive one-over par (73) at the 18-hole, par 72 Oak Wing Golf Course facility to earn the title of Grand Champion while First Baptist DeRidder, after having their win streak stopped six months earlier, reclaimed the team title with a combined 314 score. Last fall First DeRidder lost by two strokes to Unity Baptist Church in Cotton Valley. Members of the winning team included Tony Branham, Jerry Istre, Eddie Joslin and Chad Johnson. Eighty pastors and laymen enjoyed pleasant weather, good fellowship and a couple rounds of golf May 9-10 at the annual spring Baptist Golf Fellowship held recently at Oak Wing. The Fellowship, sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Foundation and the Baptist Message, is a time for pastors and laypersons to come together for a little light-hearted competition around the game of golf. Medalist and Team play was completed on Monday afternoon. During the evening banquet at the Baptist Building trophies were given … [Read more...]
Stephen Curry thanks God ‘for talents He’s given me’ in accepting 2nd straight MVP
By Michael Foust, Christian Examiner SAN FRANCISCO (Christian Examiner) – Golden State Warrior guard Stephen Curry accepted his second straight NBA Most Valuable Player trophy award Tuesday, and then sprinkled comments about his Christian faith throughout a news conference televised nationwide. Curry became the first unanimous selection in the history of the NBA trophy, winning all 131 first-place votes and doing something that the NBA's other great players of the past – such as Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan – never did. To read the rest of the article, click here. … [Read more...]
The Bayou Church collects thousands of dollars to impact Acadiana, Louisiana and Haiti
LAFAYETTE – The Bayou Church is giving away $170,000 to benefit nonprofits in Acadiana, others parts of Louisiana and Haiti. On May 1, members of the south Louisiana congregation collected the money as part of the Big Give, a campaign to go above and beyond the congregation’s tithes. Mike Walker, pastor of The Bayou Church, said with the downturn in the oil business in the region, now more than ever a need exists to assist people in the community. “Our mission as a church is to transform lives in Acadiana through Christ-centered relationships, and we can do that by practicing courageous generosity in order to support the needs of others,” Walker said. “We desire to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who are under resourced.” The Bayou Church plans to give away the money today and Wednesday to Bridge Ministries of Acadiana, Hearts of Hope in Lafayette, Love INC (In the Name of Christ) affiliate in Lafayette, Reciprocal Ministries International that will benefit the church’s sister church in Petit Toru, Haiti, and a natural disaster relief fund for Louisiana. Joel Lee, executive director of the Bridge Ministries of Acadiana, said the money given to her organization will make an investment into the lives of future … [Read more...]
Louisiana College awards degrees to 101 during May graduation ceremony
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Standing before the May graduating class at Louisiana College, evangelist Jay Strack said there is a reason he believes America still has a chance to be great again. “Don’t be one of those who are very fearful about the future,” he told the students during his address at Louisiana College's 160th Commencement on May 7. “Don’t be one of those that believe America has lost its mojo and will never be great again. I believe with all my heart the Lord still has a plan for this nation and the reason is these students and these professors. You keep us optimistic about the future.” Throughout his speech to the 101 graduates, Strack challenged them numerous times to remain passionate about Christ and follow their God-given dreams. Receiving the award of summa cum laude - the highest awarded by the school - were Zachary Fleming, Jessica Johnson, Katelyn Persick, Mollie Stuart, Eli Sanders, Hannah Shields and Rebekah Weatherford. Prior to Strack’s message, three graduating seniors shared just how their passion for Jesus was strengthened during their time at LC. Also recognized during the ceremony was 22-year-old David Marler, who was on pace to graduate with this classmates. However, … [Read more...]
Joe McKeever cartoon
EDITORIAL: State government needs to go on a spending diet
By John Kennedy, State Treasurer I have a radical suggestion for you. Let's pretend that we have a time-traveling DeLorean parked at the State Capitol and go back a few years. Specifically, let's go back to 2015. Liquid water was found on Mars. The Brits got a new royal baby. And, in fiscal year 2015, the state general fund was $8.6 billion. The state general fund is basically the state’s main checking account. It’s how income is deposited and the bills are paid. For the most part, the state general fund doesn’t change a lot from year to year unless we’ve had a hurricane or a similar disaster that results in people rebuilding their homes and replacing their cars. Post-storm years puff up the general fund, but they’re blips. The state general fund for next fiscal year – the state’s budget year runs from July 1 to June 30 – started at $8.2 billion. Then legislators, at the governor’s behest, raised taxes $1.3 billion. Everything from that cold beer you drink after mowing the grass to the Girl Scout cookies you buy from the neighbor’s kid is going up in price. But the governor’s not done. He wants the general fund to stand at $10.2 billion, requiring an additional $750 million in tax increases or maybe it’s an … [Read more...]
Longtime New Orleans ministry leader shares well-learned lessons on grief
By Tobin Perry, Christian Examiner NEW ORLEANS (Christian Examiner)—In a preaching ministry that has stretched for more than 50 years, Joe McKeever has taught on just about every biblical topic you could imagine. For the past 15 months, he has lived a sermon — on grief. It's a lesson he began teaching on the afternoon of Jan. 23, 2015. To read the rest of the story, click here. … [Read more...]
