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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

A reminder to pray for our leaders

By Franklin Graham Many of the rulers during Jesus’ life on earth were infamously cruel and corrupt. Caesar Augustus ruled the Roman world with an iron hand, putting to death tens of thousands, maybe even millions, of people. Herod was a puppet king of the Jews. He lived with his brother’s wife, and he executed John the Baptist and had his head brought to him on a platter. When the Scripture below was written, notoriously brutal Emperor Nero ruled. We are to pray — not because our leaders are perfect, but because they’re imperfect. Let’s not forget to pray for all of our elected leaders. The Bible tells us, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior…” (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Franklin Graham is president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse. This editorial first appeared on his Facebook page. … [Read more...]

LC President Rick Brewer endorses Ken Hemphill

By Message Staff PINEVILLE (LBM) — Ken Hemphill, candidate for president of the Southern Baptist Convention, spoke during the Louisiana College weekly chapel service, March 27, encouraging students to be available as  instruments to advance Christ’s kingdom. Afterward, he spent time talking with groups informally and answering questions. Prior to the chapel message, LC President Rick Brewer introduced Hemphill, emphasizing Hemphill’s passion for the Cooperative Program, which helps reduce tuition costs for students attending the state’s only Baptist college, and endorsing Hemphill for SBC president. “Dr Hemphill has pastored some great churches,” he continued. “He’s been in ministry over 40 years. He earned seminary degrees from Southern Seminary [master of divinity, doctor of divinity], then he went on to Cambridge, a little school ‘across the pond,’ to get his Ph.D. “He’s served the Convention in tremendous ways – including as president of one of our seminaries -- and he’s written over 45 books,” he added. “But my ‘claim to fame’ about Ken is that he was an awesome football player at Wake Forest University. “I don’t know he’s as awesome as he tells me he was,” Brewer joked, “but he played football at Wake Forest … [Read more...]

Hemphill tours state, with stops at FBC Bossier, McClendon BC and LC

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY – Ken Hemphill, a candidate for president of the Southern Baptist Convention, wrapped up a two-day visit to Louisiana Wednesday afternoon (March 28) in which he met with pastors to share his heart and vision. The noted author, pastor and Southern Baptist leader, who will be officially nominated during the 2018 SBC Annual Meeting, June 12-13, in Dallas, Texas, spoke to students at Louisiana College, and Southern Baptist pastors at McClendon Baptist Church, West Monroe (March 27) and at First Baptist Church, Bossier City (March 28). Hemphill shared about his vision for the Southern Baptist Convention, the Cooperative Program and God’s unlimited love. “I wanted people to have the opportunity to meet me, to ask questions, and to be able to share my heart with everyone,” said Hemphill. “This is why I speaking at these different places.” CHALLENGED STUDENTS He challenged students attending the Louisiana College weekly chapel service, March 27, to be available as instruments to advance His kingdom. “When you pray, say, ‘Today, Father, on campus, let me see what you are about, what you are doing,’” Hemphill said. Drawing from John 5, Hemphill said to help … [Read more...]

LBC pastors, presidents endorse Ken Hemphill for SBC president

By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – A growing list of Louisiana Baptist pastors, including the present and a number of former presidents of the Convention, have announced their support of Ken Hemphill as president of the Southern Baptist Convention. The information found on KenHemphill2018.com includes strong statements extolling Hemphill’s theology as best representing the consensus beliefs of Southern Baptists, and describing his lengthy record of cooperation at all levels in SBC life as most consistent with what SBC leaders should personify. Some referred to his extensive executive experience with the SBC as the key qualification in these times of turmoil within the Convention. ENDORSEMENT STATEMENTS Steve Horn said Hemphill’s Cooperative Program record “resonates best with me.” Horn is pastor of the First Baptist Church in Lafayette, and served as LBC president from 2014-2015. “I am excited he is on record as saying, ‘The traditional cooperative means of giving should be the default method of giving, receiving the majority of each church’s mission dollars,” Horn continued. “Mission trips and special initiatives that a church wants to fund should be above and beyond the normal means of supporting … [Read more...]

Cypress Baptist is making a difference in and through men

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BENTON – Michael Permenter, 34, was challenged recently at Cypress Baptist Church in Benton to get off the sidelines and live out true biblical manhood – and he agreed. His decision to turn his whole life over to Christ helped Permenter better lead his family – as Jesus intended him to do – and also resulted in his baptism Feb. 11. CONVICTION & OBEDIENCE Although he had received Christ as a young man and had attended Cypress Baptist for five years, Permenter had not yet been baptized. But after counseling with Cypress Baptist Pastor John Fream, Permenter knew God was calling him to take this next step of faith as a public display of his relationship with Christ. “God had been laying on my heart for some time that I needed to get my baptism in order,” said Permenter, whose wife, Autumn, was baptized in 2013 at Cypress Baptist. “It took some time to soften my heart. I have no doubt that God led my wife and me here to a community where we didn’t have any roots, but yet had a purpose waiting for us.” Permenter credits the men’s ministry at Cypress Baptist as a driving force behind his commitment to grow deeper in his spiritual walk. He attends one of six men’s Bible … [Read more...]