By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees has announced Jeffrey Steed as the ninth executive director of the organization. “It’s an honor to serve Louisiana Baptists,” Steed told the Baptist Message. “I have a passion for the work of the foundation that partners in ministry with churches and Baptists around the state to help advance the Kingdom.” The announcement followed a unanimous vote by the board of directors after careful consideration of Steed's nomination by a search committee comprised of board members and chaired by Pat LaCour, and a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. Steed succeeds Wayne Taylor, who retires as the foundation’s executive director in May. LaCour said Steed’s qualifications set him apart from a number of qualified applicants. “He has worked for two other Baptist foundations over the past two decades,” she said. “He has a heart for working with churches and for planned giving in support of Baptist causes. We look forward to working with him.” Bill Cunningham, president of the board and a member of Norris Ferry Community Church in Shreveport, added his strong approval. “We are most impressed with … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) — A photo of a woman in apparent pain and being transported by ambulance from an abortion clinic has raised concerns that an abortion clinic in New Orleans is operating despite a statewide ban on non-essential and non-emergency medical procedures. The incident could be further evidence of the need for Act 620, a state law being argued by the Louisiana Attorney General Office before the U.S. Supreme Court, that would require abortionists to obtain admitting privileges with a local hospital in case of complications for the woman patient during or after an abortion. In November last year a woman endured a botched abortion at a Baton Rouge abortion clinic and the complications resulted in her having to undergo a total hysterectomy. Her emergency surgery was cited as evidence in support of Act 620 during oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court in March. DISTURBING IMAGE Louisiana Right to Life posted the photo on April 21 and noted that the woman had been taken by stretcher from the Women’s Health Care Center in New Orleans. Ben Clapper, executive director for the pro-life organization, said that ongoing abortions there and at the other two facilities, … [Read more...]

Volunteers from the Washington Baptist Association and Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief, handed out 41 care packages to residents of Westminster Woods apartment complex in Bogalusa on Thursday, April 23. Hygiene products, grocery items, a Bible and information about the Louisiana Baptist Convention prayer line were among the items distributed. The prayer line is operational 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at 800.410.3492. Those who participated were Patrick Magee, pastor at Main Street Baptist Church in Bogulsa and compassion strategist for the Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana, and his wife, Rebeca; Greg Whaley, pastor at First Baptist Church in Bogalusa; Mark Morelock, pastor at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Bogalusa; Davey Daniels, youth pastor at Mount Pleasant Baptist; and Keith Sheridan, pastor at Lee’s Creek Baptist Church in Bogalusa. … [Read more...]