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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Holy boldness

In exile in the wilderness, King David prayed, “O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:1–3 NLT). … [Read more...]

LBCH’s Legacy Room highlights 125 years of ministry

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) - The Louisiana Baptist Children's Home & Family Ministries gathered on July 16 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Legacy Room. The room celebrates 125 years of sharing Christ's love with children, their mothers and countless others around the state. The Legacy Room inside the Rucker-Austin Center on the Monroe campus features a chronological timeline of events covering all four walls and artifacts from its history. The LBCHFM was birthed in 1899 when William Cooksey, pastor of Pine Grove Baptist Church, Bernice, had a vision to start an orphanage. Since then, the entity relocated from Lake Charles to Monroe and expanded its ministry to see thousands of families impacted by the Gospel through foster care and adoption; compassion ministry; job training for women; ministry to homeless women and their children; counseling services; and a ministerial care residential program. "We're celebrating what God has done for 125 years here at the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home," LBCHFM President and CEO Perry Hancock told the crowd during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "From its beginnings as the Louisiana Baptist Orphanage to the multifaceted … [Read more...]

Louisiana’s Bowlin, Tippit inducted into SBC Evangelists Hall of Faith

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer INDIANAPOLIS (LBM) – Gary Bowlin and Sammy Tippit, two evangelists with ties to Louisiana, were recently elected to the Southern Baptist Evan­gelists Hall of Faith. Bowlin is a past presi­dent of the Louisiana Conference of South­ern Baptist Evangelists and Sammy Tippit is an evangelist who accepted Christ at Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge. Bowlin, who now re­sides in Summit, Miss., and Tippit, who now lives in San Antonio, Texas, told the Baptist Message they are humbled that their names are included in the display hosted in the Southern Baptist Building in Nashville, Tennessee, alongside the names of so many others they have come to know during their respective evangelistic ministries. “It’s just beyond my wildest expectations to have my name listed among them,” Bowlin said after the June 10 ceremony in Indianapolis, Indiana. “I’ve tried to be faithful to the calling God has placed on my life, and this was a way for Him just to bless me. My peers voted me in and that means a lot.” Tippit echoed the thought. “When I was inducted into the SBC Evangelists Hall of Faith in June, it was a marker for me of God’s grace and faithfulness to me over six … [Read more...]

REVERSAL: Leatherwood remains as ERLC president, trustee chair resigns

By Baptist Message staff NASHVILLE (LBM) – Less than a day after Brent Leatherwood reportedly was relieved of his duties as president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, trustees announced that he remains in the position, July 23. Additionally, Kevin Smith has resigned as chair of the ERLC’s executive committee. According to a news release from the entity, “There was not an authorized meeting, vote, or action taken by the Executive Committee. Kevin Smith has resigned as Chair of the Executive Committee. Brent Leatherwood remains the President of the ERLC and has our support moving forward.” On Monday evening, the ERLC’s executive committee of the board of trustees had announced that Leatherwood was removed from his position. Though no reason was given at the time, Leatherwood’s statement to Baptist Press regarding President Joe Biden’s decision not to run for re-election sparked backlash by some in the SBC. In the article, Leatherwood said: “We should all express our appreciation that President Biden has put the needs of the nation above his personal ambition. Despite what some partisans will say, to walk away from power is a selfless act – the kind that has become all too rare in our culture.” After … [Read more...]