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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Bossier Schools and LC ink dual enrollment partnership

By Bossier Parish Schools communications BOSSIER CITY - Students attending Bossier Schools will soon have the opportunity to take academic courses never before offered, thanks to a dual enrollment agreement the district has entered into with Louisiana College in Pineville. Bossier Schools Superintendent Scott Smith and Louisiana College President Rick Brewer made the agreement official during a signing ceremony Nov. 8. Beginning in spring 2018, Bossier Parish students will have the chance to take online courses offered by Louisiana College and earn regular college credit prior to graduation from high school. A few of those courses include Art and Music Appreciation, Finite Math, Civilization I and II, Survey of the Old and New Testaments and Economics, among nearly two dozen others. “Our goal is to provide as many opportunities for our students as we can and this partnership with Louisiana College gives Bossier Schools the chance to do that,” said Superintendent Smith. “We are grateful to Dr. Brewer and his administrative team for working with us to make this partnership a reality to benefit the students of Bossier Parish.” Louisiana College also discounted the rate per three-hour course to $100, yet students will … [Read more...]

A Veterans Day tribute – thank you for your sacrifice

By Huey P. O'Neal WEST MONROE (LBM) – On Veterans Day, Americans honor all U.S. veterans, both living and dead, for their sacrifices in protecting the greatest country in the world. At exactly 11 a.m., each November 11th, a color guard, made up of members from each of the military branches, renders honors to America’s war dead during a heart-moving ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. The president or his representative places a wreath at the Tomb and a bugler sounds Taps. The balance of the ceremony, including a “Parade of Flags” by numerous military veterans’ organizations, takes place inside the Memorial Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb. The bloodshed and sacrifice for our freedom began in 1776 when representatives of the 13 original colonies signed the Declaration of Independence to obtain freedom from the British. Many of the 56 signers -- educated men, and a good number having faith in God – were willing to sacrifice everything for our freedom to worship God and to achieve God-given goals. In the context of this legacy of sacrifice, American veterans have met major challenges for the past 241 years to protect our freedoms. Notably, the U.S. Constitution is based on biblical … [Read more...]

Louisiana’s Kennedy working with Senate Finance Committee to save adoption tax credit

By Michelle Millhollon, Office of U.S. Sen. John Kennedy WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) has been in talks with and has sent a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT), strongly urging him to maintain the Adoption Tax Credit when the committee moves forward on tax reform legislation. “I believe that an important part of being pro-life is being pro-adoption," Kennedy said. "With so many children in need of loving families, we should do everything in our collective power to make the adoption process more accessible and affordable for families who want to provide a caring home to these children. The adoption tax credit goes a long way towards achieving that goal.” The complete letter is shown below:   November 8, 2017   The Honorable Orrin Hatch Senate Committee on Finance 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510-6200   Dear Chairman Hatch, Since 1997, the Adoption Tax Credit has encouraged families to consider adoption by increasing its affordability.  I strongly encourage you to maintain the Adoption Tax Credit when the Senate Committee on Finance moves forward on tax reform legislation. Adoption typically costs a family … [Read more...]

The point is …

By James Collins “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” -Hebrews 13:5b Like most of you, I was heartbroken this past Sunday to hear of the church shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas. My wife and I watched the news reports with shock and horror. We were both in tears. However, my tears turned to anger when an ignorant TV talking head made a stupid comment. He said, “Where was God while all these people were being slaughtered?” “Where was God?” you ask. God was there. He was there with Farida Brown. He was there with Farida as she brought comfort to the dying. Farida was shot in both of her legs. But she was able to have the strength to drag herself over to a friend. Farida held her hand, telling her she was heading to Heaven. God was there. He was there with Joann Ward. Joann pushed her nine-year-old daughter Rihanna on the floor and under a church pew. Then she embraced her other three children, using her body as a shield to protect them. God was there. He was there with Noah Holcombe. Being only 17-months-old, Noah couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Noah could only giggle as nail-pierced hands picked him up and carried him Home. God was there. He was there with Dennis Johnson. … [Read more...]

Baptism service a family reunion

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COUSHATTA (LBM) – The baptistery at Liberty Baptist Church in Coushatta was the perfect setting for a recent reunion of people close to James Hester, pastor of Social Springs Baptist Church in Ringgold. Hester cancelled Sunday evening services for his Ringgold congregation, Sept. 28, to be at the Coushatta church in order to baptize his mother, LaWanda, with the blessing of Liberty Baptist Pastor Harry Bamburg. Then Hester was blessed to witness the baptism of his brother Jerry, nephew Zach and his nephew’s wife Jessica, all officiated by Bamburg. A MOTHER’S JOY “My heart was full and I was in awe of the goodness and faithfulness of our awesome God, and so thankful for His amazing grace,” Hester said. “She has lived longer than either of her parents and I thank God daily for Christian parents who raised me in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Hester said he praised God for the honor of baptizing his mother, and that his mom told him hers was “an even greater honor – being baptized by the youngest of her five boys.” “God is good,” he told the Baptist Message. A SON’S LOVE The catalyst for the multiple baptisms was a revival Sept. 3-10 at Social Springs … [Read more...]