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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

LBF: $600,000 in gifts; prepped for hinted Fed rate hikes

By Jerry Love, LBF Communications ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – The election of new officers, updates on investments and the approval of the 2018 budget highlighted the final quarterly meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees, Oct. 24. Members also learned about almost $600,000 in new deferred donations benefiting Louisiana Baptists’ ministries, as well as steps taken with regard to its fixed income portfolio to protect against potential rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. INVESTMENT UPDATES E.L. Paulk, chairman of the investment committee, and Lee Morris and Susan Taylor, both of Graystone Consulting, updated trustees about the management of LBF’s funds and gave a general overview of market conditions. In his remarks, Morris described the equity markets as “having a very good year.”  The Foundation equity portfolios are doing well in light of the market’s upward push, he said, adding that international equities are performing better than the domestic markets as was predicted earlier in the year. Other issues he addressed: -- Morgan Stanley’s Global Investment Committee projects that equities will continue to outperform fixed income securities. -- All parts of the LBF portfolio are in compliance … [Read more...]

A prayerful reflection about the shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas

By Steve Horn One month ago, on the Monday morning after the massacre in Las Vegas and the shooting of a police officer in my city, I wrote these words with the title, “No Words.” I try to write a short piece of devotion, message, and reflection daily. As I often remark, “It’s only hard if I don’t have anything to say.” Words are hard to find this morning. The latest information on the Las Vegas massacre is over 50 dead and over 400 injured. Those numbers are staggering. No words. In my own beloved city of Lafayette, we woke to the news that a Lafayette Policeman was killed last night responding to a robbery. There was another murder last night. Friday night a couple was killed in the parking lot of IHOP. No words. Senseless. Evil. Those words, though true, fall short. And, here we are one month later with a horrific mass murder in a church. A First Baptist Church—just like the name of our church. No Words! I just heard a news anchor say, “Thank you for joining us tonight. We are here to tell you everything you need to know regarding the church shooting in Texas.” Really? Everything I need to know? Not hardly. The news anchor might be able to tell me all he knows. He might be telling me the statistics of how many, … [Read more...]

Award-winning Christian country music looking for venue in southeast Louisiana Nov. 12

Wade Hammond, an award-winning Christian recording artist, is seeking a venue in Northshore Baptist Association in which to sing Nov. 12. A 2015 winner for inspirational country music male vocalist of the year, Hammond has been in full-time music ministry for 22 years. He most recently performed on the Grand Ole Opry Oct. 19. For more information on booking Hammond, contact Alan Knuckles at 337.348.9202. … [Read more...]

Family Research Council releases statement on evangelical leaders meeting with Egyptian President el-Sisi

By Macie Malone, Family Research Council communications CAIRO, EGYPT - Family Research Council President Tony Perkins joined a delegation of U.S. evangelical leaders in Cairo Oct. 31 for a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss his administration's commitment to religious freedom for all Egyptians including Egypt's Christians and other religious minorities, some of whom have been the targets of waves of terrorist attacks. After his visit with President el Sisi, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement: "I appreciate the opportunity to meet with President el-Sisi to discuss the concerns we have, as American Evangelicals, for the plight of religious minorities in Egypt, especially those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. "Egypt, under the leadership of President el-Sisi is making progress in protecting Egyptians from being targeted because of their religious identity. President el-Sisi is committed to working to ensure that every human being can exercise their God-given right to religious freedom. As part of this work, we encourage Egypt to increase public awareness of the cultural, economic, political and national … [Read more...]

Louisiana’s Abraham, Johnson among those voting to reauthorize Children’s Health Insurance Program

Five of the six members of Louisiana’s delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives voted Nov. 3 in favor of H.R. 3922, the Championing Healthy Kids Act, which reauthorizes the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other important public health programs like Community Health Centers. The bill passed the House by a vote of 242-174. Mike Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church in Bossier City, and Ralph Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist Church, were among those from Louisiana joining their fellow Republican colleagues in voting for the piece of legislation. The only Louisiana member voting against the bill was Cedric Richmond, a Democrat representing the state's 2nd District. "The federal government maintains a countless number of wasteful, duplicative and unnecessary spending programs, but investments in CHIP and Community Health Centers are notable exceptions,” Johnson said in a statement. “These programs have proven to be critical resources for many of my constituents back home in an uncertain healthcare market. Ensuring the ill-effects of Obamacare do not adversely harm children’s access to care is paramount. This reauthorization makes meaningful, fiscally responsible reforms to protect the most vulnerable … [Read more...]

Baptist Global Response celebrates #GivingTuesday with water filter goal

By Mary Frances Satterwhite, Baptist Global Response communications NASHVILLE, TENN—Baptist Global Response (BGR) has set a #GivingTuesday goal to provide 500 water filters to people in need. #GivingTuesday is a global day of charity scheduled just after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year's event falls on Nov. 28. BGR will participate by urging Southern Baptists to give monetarily toward the goal. It suggests a donation of $25 per filter. If reached, the 500-filter goal will generate $12,500 to help bring fresh water to struggling families around the world. Each filter provides a family of five with a year's worth of drinkable water. In 2016, BGR partners distributed roughly 20,000 around the world. BGR Office Director Mary Frances Satterwhite says the #GivingTuesday goal offers Southern Baptists a chance to increase their impact in the future. "Think of the 500 families who are getting water filters and then multiply that by the number of people in each family and … the growth is exponential," she says. "So, the goal is really exciting because it will make a huge difference in so many people's lives." BGR water filters are currently listed in the organization's 2017 Christmas Gift Catalog and on its … [Read more...]

Why you need good examples

By Waylon Bailey The apostle Paul famously told many of the churches where he ministered to follow his example. Many modern day Christians are astounded at what Paul said. They are amazed at this command for two reasons. First, they don’t see themselves as a proper example, and they wonder if Paul could be. Second, I often hear Christians who think that Paul may have been somewhat prideful or arrogant to encourage new believers to follow his example. I think an example is the very best way to teach other people. Here’s why. First, being an example shows exactly what you want others to do. Most of us need to see exactly how something looks. For example, when I ask for technology help I don’t want someone to tell me how to do it or to do it for me. I want to let me see how they are doing what I want to be able to do. I learn by what I see others do. Second, examples encourage. When we see others being disciplined, following Christ, and doing things that please God, we are much more encouraged to be faithful and obedient ourselves. That’s what an example does. Paul told the church at Philippi to learn from him and from others who lived as the friends of God. “Join together in following my example, brothers and … [Read more...]