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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Jesus is the cure for our heart problem

By David Cranford PONCHATOULA, La.  - Some of the things that happen on this earth and some of the things that people do defy description: unspeakable acts of mass violence, hatred that leads to slaughter, complete disregard for the sanctity of human life, horrible acts committed against children. Some events and actions can only be described as evil. We always want to know the source of this evil. We should know the source of this evil. Scripture answers our question and the answer is not pretty. Unfortunately, the problem is inside of us. “The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) The evil that leads to the worst acts imaginable comes from our own hearts. Blaise Pascal wrote, “the heart has its reasons which reason does not know.” Unmitigated evil surely makes no sense, yet, there it is. I’m not sure we’re willing or ready to wrap our minds and hearts around the depth of the depravity we’re capable of. The need is greater than we can fathom! Thankfully so is the grace of Jesus. David Cranford is pastor of First Baptist Church, Ponchatoula, and is a past president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. … [Read more...]

Volunteers needed for multiple church construction projects in 2022

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Mike Shumock has issued an urgent call for volunteers to help remodel several Louisiana Baptist churches for 2022. Shumock, the Mission Builder strategist for Louisiana Baptists, said all of the projects scheduled for 2022 originally were to take place in 2020 and 2021, but multiple hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic and rising construction costs delayed the work. Now, he said, they are playing “catch up” and need Kingdom-minded people for the task. “I need churches and associations who will step up and commission skilled workers to come and help these churches with their facilities,” Shumock told the Baptist Message. “Everyone has something to offer, whether they are skilled or have just very basic knowledge of construction. We need people in churches that are willing to say we have skills, and these are God’s gifts to be able to utilize His glory for Kingdom work.” Work at First Baptist Church, Avondale, and Ban Suk Korean Baptist Church, Bossier City, is scheduled to begin in early January. First, Avondale sustained heavy damage from Hurricane Ida in August and needs to reroof its 10,000-sq.-ft. facility. Ban Suk Korean Baptist needs help to demolish its old worship … [Read more...]

Kennedy wishes Louisianans a Merry Christmas

By Office of Sen. John Kennedy MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) has released this message wishing Louisianans  a Merry Christmas. “On behalf of my better half, Becky, my son, Preston—who I named after my dad—and our two pups, Jack and Charlie, we want to wish you a merry, merry Christmas, and a wonderful new year,” said Kennedy. “From an earthly perspective, I love Christmas because hurricane season is over. I love Christmas because I get to be with my family and my friends. I love Christmas because it makes me happy, and I love Christmas because every now and then I get to do a little fishing and duck hunting. From a more important, spiritual perspective, I’m a Christian. And Christmas is very, very important to me as a Christian because we celebrate Christ's birthday—the Christ who died on the cross to save us from our sins,” he continued. “I hope that all of you have a wonderful holiday season and a wonderful Christmas. Merry Christmas!” Kennedy concluded. A video of Kennedy’s comments is available here. … [Read more...]

Christine Gill answers the call as Louisiana Baptists’ new WMU strategist

By Philip Timothy, Managing editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Christine Gill didn’t go looking for the job; the job came looking for her. “I learned about the pending retirement of Janie (Wise, Women’s Mission & Ministry strategist) in October when I was at a minister’s wives retreat at Tall Timbers,” said Gill. “I remember thinking to myself who would be able to do that job?” Little did she realize but God already had the answer. “When they were seeking applicants, I didn’t apply. My name, though, was given to John Hebert who reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in the position,” said Gill. “I was shocked but excited to be given this opportunity. “I always have had a heart for women and a call to missions,” Gill continued. “So, when John called with the news I was shocked but excited.” The forty-two-year-old former IMB missionary was chosen to become the new Women’s Missions & Ministry strategist on Tuesday, Dec. 22, to replace Wise upon her retirement. “I am pleased to announce that Christine will begin her ministry here Jan. 1, 2022,” said John Hebert, director of Missions and Ministry for Louisiana Baptists. “I spoke with WMU leaders across the state and asked them to describe what … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist DR unit activated to hard hit Kentucky

By Baptist Message staff MURRAY, Ky. (LBM) - A Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief shower unit has begun serving in Murray, Kentucky, one of several communities devastated by a series of tornadoes last weekend. According to Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief strategist Stan Statham, the team from Mt. Olive Baptist Association arrived Dec. 14. They are stationed at First Baptist Church, Murray. The Louisiana Baptist Convention also has donated tarps, furring strips and financial gifts. Statham encouraged Louisiana Baptists to pray and, if led, give financially to help those in a state that has helped with disaster relief efforts in Louisiana. The Associated Press reported that 74 were confirmed dead and another 100 were missing after the tornadoes touched down in the state over the weekend. “The last two years getting hit hard ourselves we know what it’s like in moments of need,” Statham said. “We continue to pray and be sensitive to their needs.” To give to DR efforts in Kentucky visit https://louisianabaptists.org/missions-ministry/disaster-relief/donate/ … [Read more...]

Dew to graduates: Christ, not ministry, is ‘ultimate end’

By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS, La. (NOBTS) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College celebrated 200 graduates Dec. 11 as President Jamie Dew charged them to make service to Christ the true end of all that they do. Eighteen doctoral degrees were conferred during the school’s commencement ceremony, including seven Ph.D.s, a doctor of musical arts, one doctor of educational ministry and nine doctor of ministry degrees. Ninety master’s degrees and 92 undergraduate degrees and certificates were awarded. Dew began his charge to graduates by acknowledging that some might be present in the audience who wondered why their graduate went to the trouble of years’ worth of papers and exams in order to get a degree. While some might see the graduate’s work as the “means” and the degree as the “end,” Dew pointed to the philosopher Aristotle who recognized that “ends” in actuality may be means to yet another end. Dew said the question then becomes, “what is the ultimate end?” “What is that one end, that one good that we seek for its own sake?” Dew asked the audience. “Of all this work that we have done, what is it exactly that we seek? …  It’s important that you understand the answer to that … [Read more...]