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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Democratic Party chooses ‘godless’ over ‘God-fearing’

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor SAN FRANCISCO (LBM) — The Democratic National Committee has passed a resolution praising the religiously unaffiliated while at the same time condemning people of faith who do not support a liberal political agenda. In the “Resolution Regarding Religiously Unaffiliated Demographic” the DNC cited the growth of the number of religiously unaffiliated among Democrats, calling the demographic “the largest religious group within the Democratic Party,” and praising the fact that they “share the Democratic Party’s values, with 70% voting for Democrats, 80% supporting same-sex marriage, and 61% saying immigrants make American society stronger.” Meanwhile, in the same resolution, the DNC denounced those who use their “religious views” to define their “morals, values, and patriotism” and rebuked anyone who believes “religious liberty” protects these views against the competing views of the LGBT community and other opposing groups. The resolution was championed with the DNC by the Secular Coalition of America, a group that lobbies for atheists, agnostics and humanists. … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Colt Waagner, David Ray Robertson, Dustin Cunningham were licensed to the gospel ministry during the final night of the Hot August Night Revival at Old Zion Hill Baptist Church, Independence. Pastor: Gary Dennis. Jay Foster is the new interim pastor at Bethsaida Baptist Church, Ida. Ren Watkins has left Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport as middle school minister for First Baptist Church, Moss Bluff. Michael Sanders is the new pastor at West Lake Baptist Church, Doyline. David Martin has retired from Hopewell Baptist Church, Spearsville. John Rushing is the new pastor at Sardis Baptist Church, Farmerville. HOMECOMING Glenmora Baptist Church, Glenmora: 125th Homecoming Celebration, September 27-29, Friday, 6:30 p.m. Speaker: Todd Burnaman; Saturday, 6:30 p.m. Speaker: Neil Treme; … [Read more...]

Nuts and bolts faith

By David Jeremiah EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) -- Dotting the landscape of the rural communities north of Charlotte, N.C., are dozens of the most high-tech companies in the automotive industry. First, there are the home facilities of NASCAR's elite racing teams. Then there are the shops of smaller companies that support those teams by making and servicing the vast inventory of parts and tools needed to build and race a modern stock car. The NASCAR team shops are tens of thousands of square feet of space kept in eat-off-the-floor states of cleanliness. There are rooms and racks full of parts and tools. But NASCAR races are held all over the country. So how do the teams get the cars -- and the vast inventory of parts and tools needed to service them -- to the racetracks several dozen times each racing season? Answer: the hauler. A NASCAR hauler is an 18-wheel behemoth that serves as a traveling shop for the NASCAR teams. The cab has room for two drivers who swap five-hour shifts as the trucks roll non-stop to the tracks. And the trailers are as spotless and well-organized as the shops which send them out every week. Open the back doors of a hauler and you see two levels. In the upper level are two race cars -- the primary car … [Read more...]

NOBTS, LC sign articulation agreement

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS director of communications NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) and Louisiana College (LC) recently signed an articulation agreement designed to help God-called men and women save time and money as they prepare for ministry. The agreement, signed by NOBTS president Jamie Dew and LC president Rick Brewer, paves the way for Christian studies majors from LC to apply a portion of their undergraduate coursework to the Accelerated Master of Divinity program at NOBTS (Accelerated M.Div.). The program reduces educational redundancy and the time it takes to complete the M.Div. by leveraging the quality biblical studies and ministry instruction students receive at LC. Students who are approved for this advanced standing can complete the M.Div. degree at NOBTS faster than students who are not eligible for the program. According to Dew, the main goal of the agreement is to advance the gospel by helping God-called men and women complete their ministry preparation in a timely manner. “With an eye towards advancing Christ’s Kingdom, it is absolutely vital that we provide efficient avenues for our students to receive theological preparation,” Dew said. “As such, we are excited about … [Read more...]

Wilton: Challenges students at LC revival to determine ‘who they are’ in Christ

By Message Staff PINEVILLE – A movement by the Holy Spirit prompted 50 Louisiana College students to come to the altar and make life-changing decisions for Jesus during the opening day of the fall campus revival Tuesday, Sept. 17. In his message based on 1 Peter 1, Don Wilton, revival evangelist and pastor of the First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, told the students to obey God’s call on their lives. “Today I invite you to just settle the ‘who are you’ part of your life,” Wilton said. “Just nail down that today. “You want to know what to do?” he continued. “All I can tell you is what Jesus tells us to do. Just lay it down, settle who you are before Him. If you don’t know Jesus Christ, come today. Give your life to Christ.” Wilton told the students God values all of them, and encouraged them to keep him first during their life as a college student and afterwards. “I want to thank God because He’s given you, through the new birth, a living hope,” he said. “You are not hopeless. You have a reason to live. You’ve got a purpose. You’re not a nobody. You’re somebody in and through the Lord Jesus.” He reminded those who have placed their faith in Christ that they are not residents of earth, but … [Read more...]