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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Secretary of the Air Force restores career of decorated Colonel punished for religious beliefs

Washington, D.C.–After receiving First Liberty Institute’s appeal, as well as correspondence from Members of Congress, the Secretary of the Air Force today announced that it reversed the unfavorable decision of an Air Force Equal Opportunity investigator against decorated Air Force Colonel Leland Bohannon, clearing his name, and fully restoring his service record. Col.  Bohannon was on the verge of being promoted to a one-star general when he was suspended from command in 2017. Orders were also handed down recommending he not be promoted. The colonel was punished after he declined to sign a “certificate of spouse appreciation” for a retiring master sergeant’s same-sex spouse.  An Equal Opportunity investigator determined at the time that the colonel had discriminated against the airman – and went on to say that “even had the accommodation been granted, Col. Bohannon would nonetheless be guilty of unlawful discrimination.” First Liberty Institute, one of the nation’s most prominent religious liberty law firms, argued that the colonel went out of his way to accommodate the airman by having a two-star general sign the document. Col. Bohannon had flown combat missions in the Middle East and he is the … [Read more...]

Air Force veteran sues after being pulled from ceremony mid-speech

Washington, DC—First Liberty Institute and attorneys with Kirkland and Ellis filed a lawsuit this evening with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of Oscar Rodriguez, Jr. and Charles “Chuck” Roberson alleging that Air Force officials violated the religious liberty of both Rodriguez and Roberson when uniformed Airmen abruptly interrupted a flag-folding ceremony at Roberson’s retirement and assaulted Rodriguez before he could use the word “God” in a flag folding speech. “No one should be assaulted for saying the word ‘God’ on an Air Force base,” said Hiram Sasser, General Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “Certainly, our United States Airmen are strong enough to be exposed to the word ‘God’ at a retirement ceremony.” During Roberson’s retirement ceremony held in April 2016 at Travis Air Force base, at which Rodriguez—himself a retired Airman—was Roberson’s invited guest, multiple, uniformed Air Force officials assaulted Rodriguez and forcibly removed Rodriguez from the ceremony for starting a speech that would include the word “God.” (Read Oscar’s entire speech by clicking here.) “I spent my career in the Air Force defending this country from its enemies,” said Oscar Rodriguez.  “I … [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...]

Executive Committee’s Page resigns over ‘personal failing’

By Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) — Frank S. Page has resigned as president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, effective March 27 over what is described as “a morally inappropriate relationship in the recent past.” Florida pastor Stephen Rummage, chairman of the Executive Committee, released a 300-word statement Tuesday afternoon (March 27) in behalf of the EC’s officers noting the circumstances of Page’s resignation: “Last evening, the officers of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee met via phone conference with Dr. Frank Page during which he announced his plans for retirement. Today, I spoke with Dr. Page and learned that his retirement announcement was precipitated by a morally inappropriate relationship in the recent past. “This news will, we understand, bring great sorrow. I have shared with the Executive Committee officers what Dr. Page shared with me, including Dr. Page’s repentance and deep regret that his actions have caused pain for others. “My heart is broken for Dr. Page, his family and everyone affected,” Rummage, senior pastor of Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon, Fla., stated. “I believe I speak for the entire Executive Committee in … [Read more...]

Attendees focus on God, not politics, at prayer breakfast

By Message Staff BATON ROUGE – Legislators, pastors, businessmen and others from Louisiana started off the first few days of the 2018 state legislative session with a focus on God during the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. Keynote speaker Reese Kauffman, president of the international interdenominational Child Evangelism Fellowship, and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards were among those offering encouraging words to the more than 1,400 attending the event March 14 at the Raising Canes Center in Baton Rouge. Lafayette native and Grammy nominee Christian contemporary artist Lauren Daigle provided the special music. The event also featured times to honor the military, law enforcement, and the late evangelist Billy Graham, who died Feb. 21. Kauffman reminded those at the Prayer Breakfast God has appointed them to serve in their various leadership positions. Citing Romans 13:1-3, Kauffman said God has ordained all in authority. Likewise, Kauffman said the Lord has commanded everyone to pray for those in authority. “The purpose for that prayer is that we might live a peaceful life and that society might go on smoothly, that the authority structure would work,” said Kauffman, citing 1 Timothy 2:1-4. “And people might come to … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

ON THE MOVE Charlie Westbrook, Jr., is the new pastor at Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs. David Brown is retiring as Eastern Louisiana Baptist Associational Missions Coordinator June 30. Gary (wife Beckey) R. Wolfe is the new bi-vocational pastor at Pioneer Baptist Church, Pioneer. David, wife Brooke, Scott is the new pastor to youth and collegiate students at University Baptist Church, Thibodaux. He begins June 1. Roy Davis is the new pastor at Gray Baptist Church, Jefferson, Texas. Brent Shoalmire resigned as pastor of Oak Hill Baptist Church, Plain Dealing. He is now the new pastor at Red River Baptist Church, Benton. Billy Pierce is the interim pastor at Oak Hill Baptist Church, Plain Dealing. HOMECOMING Old Union Baptist Church, Mansfield: 159th Homecoming, April 8, 11 a.m. A covered dish lunch will be held following Worship Services. Speaker: Lyndon Longoria. Special Music: Kerry Longoria. Music: Southern Plainsmen. Pastor: Alton Middleton. REVIVAL New Beginnings Baptist Church, Castor: Revival, April 5-8. Evangelist: Scotty McDowell, chalk artist. Pastor: David Boyler. Morehouse Association Harvest Roundup, April 6-8 at the Morehouse Activity Center, Bastrop featuring Dan Daly … [Read more...]