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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Pollock pastor braves chilly conditions in dunking booth for children’s ministry

By Message Staff POLLOCK – Brian Gunter is not one to shy away from a challenge. So, when it came time to help raise money for First Baptist Church in Pollock’s children’s ministry, he braved Saturday morning’s (Oct. 28) chilly temperatures in a dunking booth for the church’s annual Fall Festival. There were quite a number of church members and others from the community who turned out to insure Gunter got dunked despite the chilly temperatures. It was all in good fun and for a good cause as $140 was raised at the dunking booth alone while another $70 was raised in other areas of the festival. “A pastor never knows how much his church loves him until he climbs into a dunking booth on a cool fall day,” Gunter told the Baptist Message. “A few deacons tried to drown me, but I came out unscathed!  Sometimes you have to get creative to raise money for the children’s ministry.” But Gunter’s love of “freezin’ for a reason” will not stop at the First Baptist Pollock fall festival. In the very near future, Gunter said he would be willing to step inside a dunking booth on the property of the Cenla Pregnancy Center in Alexandria to raise money for the organization. The first pro-life pregnancy center in central Louisiana … [Read more...]

God, as healer

By Steve Horn LAFAYETTE (LBM) - At First Baptist Church, Lafayette, we are focused this fall on prayer. We have examined a number of subjects regarding prayer, and recently we examined the subject of praying for healing. Isn’t it interesting that God revealed Himself in specific ways in the days of greatest difficulty? If we allow God to work in our lives, we grow spiritually during difficult circumstances. This is especially true when we consider God as Jehovah Rophe—the Lord, our Healer. Scripture reveals God as Jehovah Rophe in Exodus 15:22-27. Israel has just been eyewitnesses to incredible miracles. They have seen the waters of the Sea open up, and all of Israel safely cross. But now, they are without water. It’s been three days and maybe they are not exactly sure what they have gotten themselves into by leaving Egypt. As background, we see some common reactions to the bitter places of our lives. Like so many of us, Israel forgot the past blessings of God, fussed against God, and made false accusations against God. As you pray for healing of all kinds today, think about these truths. Sooner or later, we will all come to a place called Marah (Bitterness). For every Marah in our lives, there is Yahweh … [Read more...]

Johnson co-sponsors bill to keep taxpayer dollars out of abortion facilities

By Ainsley Holyfield, Office of U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Benton) has signed on as an original co-sponsor to H.R. 4131, the No Abortion Bonds Act, which amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose federal taxes on bonds used to provide facilities owned by abortion providers. If passed, the bill will close loopholes in the tax code that allow abortion providers to finance facilities with municipal, county and state bonds while being exempt from federal taxes. “The federal government should not be subsidizing abortions. Period,” said Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church in Bossier City. “This legislation will help keep taxpayer dollars out of abortion facilities and protect the rights of all Americans who have deeply held religious and moral objections to funding this abhorrent industry. I am proud to champion this legislation, and the sanctity of all human life, while in Congress.” … [Read more...]