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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Louisiana grocer’s ‘Gospel ad’ draws national response

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA (LBM) -- Critics from across the country chimed in via the internet recently to target Reggy McDaniel, owner of Mac’s Fresh Market stores with locations in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, because of a Christian-based message he published in his grocery chain’s weekly mailer. McDaniel, a member of Kelly Baptist Church in Kelly, said he did not intend to cause a political controversy, but simply wanted to use a current topic to shine the light of Christ in a spiritually dark world. The ad, mailed out in early February, contained the message: “Heaven has a wall, a gate and a strict immigration policy. Hell has open borders. Let that sink in.” After the ad was published, state and national newspapers, television stations and blogs issued reports on the response from customers and other people. The criticism on the company’s Facebook page included accusations of “false teaching” and complained about mixing religion, business and politics: “You have lost several customers and considering this is a very small community, you will feel the impact,” one person posted. Another person wrote: “How’s about you just stick to selling food? Leave Jesus and your politics out … [Read more...]

Greear calls for cover-up probe, 2 SBC entity heads fess up

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) — J.D. Greear has asked the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention to undertake the “necessary steps to determine whether the following churches meet the standards of having a faith and practice which closely identifies with the Convention’s adopted statement of faith.” Greear, SBC president and pastor of The Summit in North Carolina, targeted six Texas congregations, two churches in Georgia and one each in Kentucky and Arkansas that were identified with cover-up behavior in an exposé by the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News relating to convictions, confessions and credible accusations of sex abuse involving 380 Southern Baptists pastors, deacons, staff, ministry leaders and volunteers and 700 victims during a period of two decades. About 220 of the perpetrators were convicted or made plea deals. Greear made his case during the Feb. 18-19 meeting of the SBC Executive Committee in Nashville. The SBC fellowship of churches included about 47,500 congregations with a membership of about 15 million in 41 state conventions as of 2017, the most recent data collected. In 1998, there were about 40,870 churches with more than 15.7 million members. Despite general records of … [Read more...]

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. IN REMEMBERANCE Grace Lee, wife of former Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director Robert L. Lee, went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 27, 2019. She passed away in her home surrounded by her family holding her hands and singing “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.” She was affectionately referred to through the years as “Amazing Grace” by her husband and friends because of her gracious Christian sprit and servant heart. There will be a memorial service to honor her life on March 1 at 6 p.m. at FBC Pineville. Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. in the sanctuary. Following the service, there will be a supper/fellowship in the FBC fellowship hall commemorating the 40 years that Grace helped coordinate and preside over an annual International Fellowship for foreign born persons within the community. The family invites … [Read more...]

LC Convergence Media students make mark at the 2019 SEJC Competition:

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Louisiana College Convergence Media students earned top honors at the 2019 Southeast Journalism Conference, including 1st place in TV News Reporting. Some of the most-storied journalism programs in the South entered the competition held at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Feb. 14-16. SEJC consists of journalism programs in seven states and more than 45 colleges and universities. “Everything rises and falls on leadership,” said Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer.  “I am just as proud of our committed and capable Convergence Media faculty as I am of our dedicated students who plied their classroom instruction so successfully.” In only its second year as a member of SEJC, Louisiana College submitted entries to the Best of the South Competition, which acknowledges the Top 10 students’ work from the previous year, as well as entries in the on-site competition in various areas of journalism. Student winners include: On-site competition: Jamarcus Fitzpatrick and Maycee Lachney             1st place, TV News Reporting Haleigh Lachney                                                         1st place, Photojournalism, News/Feature Jacob … [Read more...]