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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Shreveport babies saved by NOLA judge’s ruling

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM)—In a July 8 hearing, Judge Ethel Simms Julien, a Democrat, ruled that she did not have jurisdiction over the case which had been filed in New Orleans to stop enforcement of a trigger law that now bans abortion in Louisiana. She also declined to extend the temporary restraining order granted, June 27, by Orleans Parish Civil District Judge Robin Giarrusso, also a Democrat, that stopped the law from going into effect. Julien’s decisions spared the lives of an estimated 40-50 babies scheduled to be aborted during the weekend by a plaintiff in the case, Hope Medical Group for Women in Shreveport. Medical Students for Hope, a pro-abortion group, which has a chapter with Tulane University, New Orleans, is the other plaintiff in the case. BACKDROP Louisiana’s abortion ban went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned, June 24, its previous rulings in Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) and returned “the authority to regulate abortion … to the people and their elected representatives.” The lawsuit to stop the abortion ban was filed, June 27, by the two pro-abortion groups, and named Louisiana Department of Health … [Read more...]

Are Southern Baptists ready for a world that despises Christians?

By  Ron F. Hale   Originally published July 9, 2022, on The Stream, stream.org. Reprinted with permission of author.   JACKSON, Tenn. (LBM)--Aaron Renn’s penetrating analysis of American evangelicalism in his First Things article triggered much thought. As a respected writer and thinker, Renn uses the framework of three worlds (positive, neutral, negative) with evangelicals swimming against a relentless secular rip current. Evangelicals are not only losing standing in the public arena while struggling against an increasingly hostile culture. Renn says, “Today there is a culture war within evangelicalism itself.” I’d like to apply Renn’s diagnosis to the Southern Baptist Convention. Renn points to three “worlds,” or moments in time, that formed Christians’ views and attitudes. LIVING IN THE POSITIVE WORLD (Pre-1994) Society at large retains a mostly positive view of Christianity. To be known as a good, churchgoing man remains part of being an upstanding citizen. Publicly being a Christian is a status-enhancer. Christian moral norms are the basic moral norms of society and violating them can bring negative consequences. Renn states that evangelicals created two main strategies in relating to the secular … [Read more...]

Miss-Lou Pregnancy Center plans July 18 ribbon cutting

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer VIDALIA, La. (LBM) – The pro-life movement will get a shot in the arm in the Vidalia, La.-Natchez, Miss., area when the Miss-Lou Pregnancy Center opens July 18. The 1,500 square-foot facility, located at 4951 Hwy. 84 West in Vidalia, will be the first of its kind in that area. The center, the second satellite of the CENLA Pregnancy Center in Alexandria, will operate Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. It will offer free pregnancy tests as well as information about pregnancy options, maternity resources and post-decision support including parenting education and post-abortive healing. Kimberly DeLoach Butler, who has worked as client advocate coordinator with the CENLA Pregnancy Center since 2018, will be at the helm when the center opens. Butler is among those who will share more about the center at a ribbon cutting, scheduled for 11 a.m., July 18. State Sen. Glen Womack, CENLA Pregnancy Center Executive Director Claire Lemoine and CENLA Pregnancy Center Board President Ed Tarpley (a member of Kingsville Baptist Church, Ball) also will deliver remarks. “We’re excited to be able to open the Miss-Lou Pregnancy Center providing support to women in unplanned pregnancies in … [Read more...]

Free program would make repaying college loans less stressful at LCU

By Staff, LCUNews PINEVILLE, Louisiana (LCUnews) – Louisiana Christian University is offering an innovative loan repayment assistance program (LRAP) that’s smart for students and families. LCU is the only university in the state with this type of plan to assist students upon graduation. LRAP helps graduates repay their federal student, parent PLUS and private alternative loans if their income after graduation is below $43,000. President Rick Brewer said all incoming freshmen may take advantage of LRAP at no cost to themselves. LCU has partnered with Ardeo Education Solutions to offer the LRAP at no cost to students or families simply by signing up upon registration. Admissions counselors will assist students and their families who are interested in the program. The assistance will continue until the graduate’s income exceeds $43,000 or until their loans are completely paid off. “We remain the only Louisiana university or college offering this unique loan repayment plan to 100 percent of our freshmen and sophomores,” Brewer said. “In light of the growing cost to obtain a quality, accredited college degree LCU’s LRAP program is timely, accessible and affordable.” For more information about the program or to … [Read more...]