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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Dads celebrate becoming His children on Father’s Day

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer VINTON – Father’s Day was especially memorable for Hernan Irizarry, one of four dads who participated in a special outdoor baptism service June 17 at Magnolia Baptist Church in Vinton. One by one, Irizarry, his fiancée, Jo Neil, and six others stepped in a horse trough on the church lawn and stirred the baptistery waters as around 40 members and friends cheered on each new convert. Irizarry, who has four children living in his native Puerto Rico, said the baptism was symbolic of how Christ helped him overcome an addiction to drugs. He and Jo Neil both accepted Christ in March after attending a worship service at Magnolia Baptist. “This baptism was a reaffirmation we were on the right track in our walk with the Lord,” said Irizarry, who travels with Jo Neil most Sundays by bus from Corpus Christi, Texas, to attend Magnolia Baptist. “I feel committed to share Him with other people as a member of a church that really cares about its community and world.” SWEEPING REVIVAL The baptism service signifies a revival sweeping throughout Magnolia Baptist since Pastor Rick Edwards’ arrival in January 2017. When Edwards became pastor of Magnolia Baptist, the Sunday morning worship … [Read more...]

Special needs youth, adults shine at Champions Camp

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH – A meeting room at Tall Timbers Conference Center was transformed to a karaoke hall for 14 people with special needs during the first ever Champions Camp in late June. Some sang country tunes while others tried their best to mimic popular pop artists on stage as each participant enjoyed their moment in the spotlight. Among those was Amber Gillespie, who like many others savored her first camp experience. “I got to sing and it was so much fun to be up there,” said an elated Gillespie, a member of Dixie Baptist Church in Sieper. “I would tell anyone who is thinking of coming to come because you will really have a fun time out here.” The first-ever Louisiana Baptist summer camp for people with special needs matched participants with buddies who accompanied them during the event June 25-27 at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth. The camp featured games, activities, worship and Bible study designed for children and adults from ages 8 and up who have intellectual or development disabilities. “Every one of them heard clearly how much they are loved by God and that He has a plan for their life,” said camp organizer David Anderson, children’s ministry strategist for … [Read more...]

World Changers build hope on the Northshore

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MANDEVILLE – Tears rolled down the face of Ethel Jenkins as she gazed at students repairing the roof of her Mandeville home. The crew of 15 students and adults from World Changers modeled Christ’s love by painting, mowing the lawn and remodeling Jenkins’ home during the final week of June. “These young people just bring tears to my eyes every time I look at them,” said Jenkins. “Seeing them come and work on my home is something I never dreamed would ever happen to me. I thank God for using them to touch my life.” Jenkins’ home was one of 14 substandard houses improved by 207 students and adults from nine churches in Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The group worked June 25-29 on sites in 11 communities throughout the Northshore. Away from the worksites, the students and adults camped in the Sunday school classrooms and worshipped in the youth building at First Baptist Church in Covington. The students shared the Gospel with 26 people during prayer walks around the community that prompted one statement of belief, one act of repentance and 22 requests for prayer. Madison Cleveland, project director for the Northshore, said … [Read more...]

LC’s Hosanna worship band announces reunion concert

PINEVILLE – Former members of the Louisiana College Baptist Student Union worship band Hosanna will meet in late July to remember the early years of the group during a special weekend reunion. The Hosanna reunion weekend and concert July 21-22 will feature the band’s original members from 1981-84. The band began in 1981 and held its final concert in 1987. The reunion will begin at 9 a.m., Saturday, July 21, with a day full of rehearsals. Later that afternoon, Hosanna members and their families will tour the campus and head over to Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball for a catered supper. The following day the group will rehearse at Kingsville Baptist and their reunion concert will begin at 5 p.m., followed by a fellowship for the general public at the church. Deloy Chapman, who started the band with then-LC BCM Director John Moore, said he is anticipating reuniting with some members he has not seen since they graduated. “Looking back, we were young, idealistic college students who enjoyed spending time together and serving God,” said Chapman, who was a member of the group from 1981-84. “I know how busy college students are and I’m amazed we committed like we did. We’d practice two to three times a week and then we … [Read more...]

Resolutions, nominees for Louisiana Baptist posts sought

ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists are invited to recommend candidates for service on state convention boards and committees, and, to submit resolutions for possible consideration by messengers at the 2018 Louisiana Baptist Convention. COMMITTEES The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Committees is conducting its work, Sept. 6, to nominate persons to serve on various state convention committees. Currently, 17 nominees are needed for service on committees for Credentials, Moral and Social Concerns, Nominations, Order of Business and Resolutions. The Committee on Committees chairman is Scott Sullivan, minister of education for the First Baptist Church in Haughton. Nominations for committees should be sent to him via U.S. Mail at the address of 105 East Washington Avenue, Haughton, LA 71037, or electronically to scott@fbchaughton.org. The deadline to receive inputs is August 18. BOARDS The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Nominations is beginning its work to fill vacancies on state boards. Currently, 19 nominees are needed to serve on the LBC Executive Board and as trustees of Louisiana College, the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, the Baptist Message, and the Baptist Foundation. Andy Buckley, a … [Read more...]

Ann Hyatt remembered as encourager to Louisiana Baptists

Elizabeth “Ann” Hyatt, the wife of long-time Louisiana Baptist Convention director of church extension Leon Hyatt and a life-long encourager to Louisiana Baptists, passed away Wednesday, July 4. She was 90. Hyatt, a Louisiana College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary graduate, began serving  Louisiana Baptists at an early age. She collected pennies to help build Daddy Flowers Chapel on the campus of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home as a young person and shared the Gospel in prison, on the streets and on the Red River levee as a member of First Baptist Church in Pineville as a college student. While at Louisiana College, Hyatt met and married her husband, Leon. For the rest of her life, Hyatt encouraged her husband as her served on the Louisiana Baptist Convention staff and in churches. She also was active with ministry efforts when Main Street Mission in Pineville began, served as a trustee of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and LBC Executive Board, was director of the Woman’s Missionary Union of North Rapides Baptist Association, taught English as a Second Language classes and participated in numerous mission trips. She is survived by her husband, Leon, who she was married to for 68 years, her … [Read more...]

U.S. Supreme Court’s decision leaves in place a circuit court split on prayer

WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Supreme Court announced it denied to review the decision of the United States Court of Appeal for Sixth Circuit in Bormuth v. County of Jackson, which found legislator invocations to be constitutional Thursday, June 28. First Liberty Institute and Supreme Court advocate Allyson Ho with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher represent Jackson County, Michigan, whose commissioners open public meetings with prayer. “Our country has a long history of legislator-led prayer, just as the Sixth Circuit determined in our favor,” said Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO to First Liberty Institute.  “Thankfully our clients in Jackson County, Michigan will be able to continue their tradition.  We hope the Supreme Court will one day extend that protection across the country.” At the same time the Court declined to review an opposite opinion from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth District in Rowan County v. Lund, which concluded that similar invocations are unconstitutional. While the Supreme Court denied review of both cases, leaving in place the decisions before the Sixth and Fourth Circuits, Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, dissented from the decision, saying, “For as long as this … [Read more...]

Court ruling to help Christian teachers, supporters say

By Tom Strode, Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP)-- Christians and other teachers in public schools, as well as the school-choice movement, stand to benefit from the U.S. Supreme Court's decision June 27 that public-sector unions may not require fees from nonmembers, supporters of the ruling say. In a 5-4 opinion, the high court ruled against such mandates by government and public-sector unions and overturned a 41-year-old Supreme Court decision in the process. The justices decided such a requirement on workers who refuse to join the union is a violation of free-speech protections in the First Amendment. "States and public-sector unions may no longer extract agency fees from nonconsenting employees," Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the court's opinion. A union procedure that automatically deducts fees from a nonmember's wages "violates the First Amendment and cannot continue," he said. "Neither an agency fee nor any other payment to the union may be deducted from a nonmember's wages, nor may any other attempt be made to collect such a payment, unless the employee affirmatively consents to pay." The ruling offers important implications for Christians and other teachers with faith convictions, according to the … [Read more...]

Johnson introduces legislation defending religious expression

Washington, D.C. – Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church, Bossier City, introduced H.R. 6213, the History and Tradition Protection Act of 2018, June 28 to combat the abuse of the establishment clause. The establishment clause was intended to serve as a shield for people of faith, but has been twisted and perverted into a powerful weapon to be used against them. “Religious symbols and expression are deeply embedded in the history and tradition of our country,” said Johnson, who sits on the House Judiciary Committee as well as the Committee on Natural Resources, “but for more than a half-century, radical secularist organizations have engaged in an aggressive campaign of fear, intimidation and disinformation in their quest to rid the public square of all religious symbols, history and expression. “We must protect the principles on which our nation was founded,” continued the first-term representative. “My legislation will ensure activists can no longer profit off the abuse of our laws, so we can better protect the religious liberties of all Americans.” Johnson’s bill abolishes the award of monetary damages and attorney fees in establishment clause cases where a plaintiff complains of (1) any … [Read more...]

On last day of term, Supreme Court upholds right of woman to pray in her home

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court summarily reversed a lower court ruling in the case Sause v. Bauer, in which attorneys for First Liberty Institute and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, represent Mary Anne Sause. “The Supreme Court’s decision today is a just outcome for Ms. Sause and a victory for religious liberty,” said Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO of First Liberty. “No American citizen should ever be ordered by government officials not to pray in their own home.” Attorneys for Sause had asked the Supreme Court to reverse the appellate court’s ruling that the police officers, who in 2013 entered Sause’s home to investigate an alleged minor noise complaint, harassed her, and ordered Sause, a devout Catholic, to stop praying in her home were entitled to qualified immunity. The Supreme Court’s decision sends a clear signal that citizens are entitled to religious liberty in their own home. The case was led by veteran U.S. Supreme Court advocate and now judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, James Ho. Ironically, Judge Ho was mentioned today by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz as a possible Supreme Court Justice for the vacancy left by retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. After Judge Ho took … [Read more...]