By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Pastors and guests, on March 15, received an update on important bills that will be presented during the current Legislative Session. During the event at First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, that was co-sponsored by the Louisiana Family Forum with the Louisiana Baptist Office of Public Policy, LFF President Gene Mills said 26 of the estimated 1,200 pieces of legislation are considered “bills to watch.” “To those who have ears to hear and eyes to see and a heart to understand, we know as covenant people we serve a covenant God, and He is at work in the world today,” Mills said. “We have a responsibility to go to the need, to go to the place where decisions are made and to present in the arena of ideas a truth that has fallen out of favor, a truth to a generation that is not even certain there is such a thing as truth or transcendental truths anymore.” PRAYERS NEEDED Legislators asked the crowd for their prayers. Rep. Rick Edmonds, a former pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Shreveport, said prayer for legislators is needed. “This is going to be a historic session,” he said. “These next two years are going to be critical (for) many of the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Legislators, pastors, businessmen and others started off the second day of the 2022 state legislative session with a focus on God during the Louisiana Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. Keynote speaker Voddie Baucham, a possible nominee for 2022 Southern Baptist Convention president, and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards were among those who urged a crowd of more than 1,000 to find joy in what has been a trying time for the state. The event, March 15, at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge, also featured American Idol winner Laine Hardy(member, Bethel Baptist Church, Livingston), who provided special music, legislators such as Rep. Gabe Firment (member, First Baptist Church, Pollock) who read Scripture, and Louisiana Baptist leaders like Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana Christian University, who was part of a multi-person video collaboration in leading the audience in the Model Prayer to close the event. Baucham reminded those at the prayer breakfast to rejoice in difficult circumstances. “God is sovereign, and in His providence, He is working all things together for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose,” said … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) –Chip Luter challenged more than 400 Baptist Collegiate Ministry students and staff, who were attending the 2022 College Evangelism Conference, to be obedient to Christ even when the future is unknown. The March 11-12 event drew students from 21 BCMs to the campus of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. “Obedience in the unseen happens when our faith in God is based on Who He is rather than what we can do,” Luter, associate pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, told the students. Luter’s message was part of a two-day gathering designed to equip participants to share their faith; and it included worship by song led by contemporary Christian artist Joe Reddick. His message and the focus of the various breakout seminars were centered on the theme, “proclaim,” based on 1 Chronicles 16:23. Referencing Hebrews 11:7, Luter told the students that unconditional obedience requires the right relationship, reverence, and reality. “Examine what barriers in your life cause you to be disobedient to God,” he said. “Explore what God may be calling you into right now in regard to His vision of Revelation 7:9. If international missions … [Read more...]

By Joel Thompson, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, La. (Wildcats Media) – Richard Blackaby, president of Blackaby Ministries International, will address what tools are needed to produce a Christ-centered business environment at the 6th Annual God in the Workplace Lecture Series, Monday, March 21 at 6:30 p.m. in Guinn Auditorium. Blackaby who serves as the senior pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Winnipeg is president of the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary is the author or co-author of 35 books. “In a society that faces many challenges today, Christian businesspeople are uniquely equipped to lead companies that not only make a profit, but bless the staff and customers as well,” Blackaby said. “Christian business leaders can join with God as he ministers to people in the marketplace.” LCU President Rick Brewer said Blackaby will provide timely, practical approaches to integrating faith in the marketplace. “We are pleased Richard Blackaby will be our special guest at this year’s seminar,” said Brewer. “During these volatile times we need to be reminded of the sovereignty of our God in all things affecting the marketplace.” Kenny Holt, dean of the Ray & Dorothy Young School of Business, agreed. “Having Dr. … [Read more...]