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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

ECON 2021: A time to recharge to do the work of an evangelist

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – “We planned ECON with the idea that our pastors and our people needed encouragement,” Keith Manuel, Louisiana Baptists evangelism and church growth team director, told the Baptist Message. “They are fatigued and frustrated. We needed to collectively ‘cast our cares on (God), because he cares for us.’ An estimated crowd of 500 participants attended at least one of the sessions of ECON 2021, which took place Jan. 25-26 at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport. Another 350 also tuned in online through a live stream of the event. Throughout the two-day conference, pastors heard encouraging music and messages to “press on” during this unprecedented time of challenges for life, work and ministry. SAMMY GILBREATH “We serve the sovereign Lord of the universe. In this room we have the gifts and the talents to change Louisiana. Don’t give up,” was the message from Sammy Gilbreath, evangelism event and training specialist with the Alabama State Board of Missions. He shared his encouragement in the context of his own brush with death in 2004 when his cardiologist told him, “You are going to die and die very quickly.” But surgery corrected his condition and … [Read more...]

Louisiana College to host two events celebrating Black History Month

By staff, Wildcat Media PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) - Louisiana College will host two events to celebrate Black History Month in February. The school will host a symposium Feb. 2 and a Gospel concert Feb. 16. Both events will take place at 6 p.m. inside Guinn Auditorium. “Recently, Niche.com recognized Louisiana College as the second most diverse college or university in Louisiana,” said Louisiana College President Rick Brewer. “The beauty of that fact is that this has happened not by a specific strategy but by people of all ethnicities desiring the Christ-centered educational experience we offer. At Louisiana College we celebrate our diversity by daily living out our Mission and Vision.” “We really have something precious here at LC,” said Joshua Joy Dara, associate vice president for engagement and enrichment. Just look at the facts, our student body is diverse, our faculty is diverse, our staff is diverse, our coaches are diverse, our leadership is diverse and even our SGA is diverse.” Panelists for the symposium will include: -- Juan Castro, professor of finance and economics, from Honduras -- Emmanuel Johnson, associate professor of social work, from India -- Neil Johnson, associate professor of English, from … [Read more...]

Kennedy, senators introduce pro-life legislation to protect women and unborn children

By Office of John Kennedy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today introduced the Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act and the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act, which protect vulnerable women and children in the womb. “Since Roe v. Wade, over 60 million babies have been killed in the womb. That’s about the same death toll as World War II. Female babies are especially at risk, as only 11states have made it illegal to abort a child based on his other sex. Throughout the nation, the abortion industry also takes advantage of women by cutting medical corners at their expense. We must act today to ensure that vulnerable women have easy access to vital protective care and that no child dies because of her sex,” said Kennedy. The Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act requires abortion providers to have admitting privileges at hospitals located within 15 miles of the medical office where the abortion occurs. It would also require abortion clinics to inform patients of a hospital where they can receive follow-up care. Any abortion doctor who violates these requirements would face fines and up to two years in jail. Cosponsors of the Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act include Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer … [Read more...]

Pro-life organizers ‘link together’ for life, instead of marches, due to COVID-19 concerns

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- Despite COVID-19 restrictions, pro-life supporters still found a way to band together at 32 locations statewide Jan. 23 to declare their love for life. Originally, the annual life marches were scheduled to take place around the state over a three-week period in January and February, but novel coronavirus pandemic concerns caused organizers to alter the format to a one-day, social-distanced life chain event for “Stand for Life, Louisiana.” Only the Baton Rouge event included a program that featured messages, music and prayer. Ben Clapper, executive director for Louisiana Right to Life, told the Baptist Message that while they did not have an official attendance count, he estimated more than 1,000 people turned out for the life chains. "Even in the face of the Covid pandemic, pro-lifers in Louisiana cannot sit idly by why abortion continues to take the lives of Louisiana babies,” Clapper said. “It is inspiring that more than 31 groups gathered to stand for life in their communities.  While we couldn't march this year as we normally do, we know that our march continues daily to save every baby and help every mother." Brian Gunter, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pollock who … [Read more...]

Alabama Pastor Ed Litton to be nominated for SBC president

By Staff SARALAND, Ala. – Ed Litton, pastor of Redemption Church in Saraland, Alabama, will be nominated for president of the Southern Baptist Convention, according to a report published in Baptist Press. Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, announced to Baptist Press on Jan. 19 that he would nominate Litton. The 2021 SBC Annual Meeting will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, June 15-16. STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT Luter told Baptist Press he has had a friendship with the candidate since 2001. “I have known Ed Litton for over 20 years. Our relationship started when we preached for each other as part of the SBC Racial Reconciliation Sunday during the month of February,” Luter said. “From there our relationship developed to more than just colleagues to bring races together. We both shared the hope of drawing people closer to a relationship with Jesus Christ and then growing disciples for Christ. In both of our churches our focus has been the same all of these years. “That’s why I am honored to nominate Ed Litton as the next president of the Southern Baptist Convention. With Ed’s commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, he is what our Convention needs to help us … [Read more...]