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"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Steve Gaines’ vision for the SBC: soul-winning

Soul-winning is a passion of SBC Presidential candidate Steve Gaines. The pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn., Gaines shares more in a short video. "People still get saved when we share the Gospel with them," Gaines said. … [Read more...]

MEMORIAL DAY: Jimmy Connelly’s greatest honor

By Jim Burton, Baptist Press GEORGE, S.C. (BP) -- An estimated 3.6 million Americans fought in the Pacific Theatre in World War II, overcoming brutal encounters on island after island against Japanese soldiers burrowed into the hillsides. The late Jimmy Connelly was one of those Americans. The Navy made Connelly chief of a troop-landing Higgins Craft during the massive amphibious assaults at the outset of the Allies' first major Pacific offensive against the Japanese -- Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Each craft could ferry up to 36 Marines, and when they stormed the beaches, Connelly operated a 7.62mm belt-fed machine gun to provide cover. On his 10th trip to transport troops into the Solomon Islands battle zone, he also was carrying several hundred five-gallon cans of gasoline. When a mortar round struck their craft, shrapnel pierced his neck and arm, and his pants were set afire, propelling him into the ocean. When he returned home from the war, Connelly never mentioned the injuries. Too many men like him -- 18 to 21-year-olds uprooted from their families and hometowns -- lost their lives and limbs that day. His suffering, by comparison, had been minor. Seventy-two years later, Connelly could still recite the names of … [Read more...]

Baylor fires head football coach, strips Ken Starr of presidency in sexual assault scandal

By Diane Chandler, Baptist Press WACO, Texas (BP) -- Baylor University stripped Ken Starr of his presidency and fired head football coach Art Briles today (May 26) after an independent investigation found "a fundamental failure" to protect students from sexual assault in a years-long scandal. The Baylor Board of Regents announced the personnel changes in a press release posted on its website, based on the findings of an investigation by the law firm Pepper Hamilton, LLP. "Key findings of the investigation reflect a fundamental failure by Baylor to implement Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA)," the board said. The board of the largest Baptist university in the world also created a new full-time position of chief compliance officer to report directly to the president's office, sanctioned and placed on probation athletic director Ian McCaw, fired additional but unnamed members of the administration and athletics programs, clarified the roles of several departmental staff members and committed to institute "robust training" before the fall 2016 semester. The Baylor sex scandal centered on the behavior of the university students, including … [Read more...]

13 incarcerated women receive milestone degrees

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional reporter NEW ORLEANS -- Having overcome a crisis of faith to complete her college degree, Brenda Thornton walked the chapel stage at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. Thornton was one of 13 LCIW graduates in the first-ever awarding of bachelor degrees at the prison by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's Leavell College, marking a milestone for the program that began five years ago. "I'll be honest, I didn't think I would make it," said Thornton, who received a bachelor of Christian ministry degree with a minor in women's ministry May 18. Thornton credited Sandra Vandercook, NOBTS/Leavell College associate professor of English and education, with helping amid her spiritual storm, saying, "What helped me? My professor." NOBTS President Chuck Kelley challenged the LCIW graduating class to be ready for what God had planned next in their lives. "I don't know what God will do with you or through you, but I know He has plans," Kelley said. "Get ready. Get busy. God has something He wants to do." Drawing from the biblical account of Joseph, Kelley reminded listeners that those who sold Joseph into slavery meant him harm, but God in His sovereignty intended it for good and used it to … [Read more...]

Steve Gaines’ vision for the SBC: spiritual awakening

In a video, Steve Gaines shares his passion for spiritual awakening. Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn., is running for SBC president during next month's Annual Meeting. "I believe that America needs for God to open the windows of Heaven and pour out His spirit upon His people, and I believe that we need that now," Gaines said. … [Read more...]

National award recognizes Southern Baptist Disaster Relief

By Baptist Press MINNEAPOLIS (BP) -- When devastating floods hit Louisiana and Texas in early March and April, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers did what they normally do in the face of crisis. They responded. Those efforts were recognized May 20 when several disaster relief teams were acknowledged during this year's National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD or VOAD) conference in Minneapolis. The organization presented SBDR with its National Member of the Year award. "I am honored that the North American Mission Board allows me to serve this incredible organization," said Mickey Caison, accepting the award. Caison serves as executive director of disaster relief for the North American Mission Board. "On behalf of the North American Mission Board and the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief network, I would like to express our gratitude to the membership of the National VOAD for this recognition of our work." For 46 years, more than 100 organizations like NAMB and the SBDR have cooperated through VOAD to serve people and communities impacted by natural disasters. Initiatives within each disaster relief organization, like the Southern Baptist Convention's Cooperative Program (the SBC's unified … [Read more...]

Louisianans among those graduating from Southern Baptist seminaries

Southern Baptist seminaries held graduation ceremonies this month and among those receiving degrees were those with ties to Louisiana. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College Graduates The following graduates with Louisiana ties received certificates and degrees during New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leveall College commercement services May 13 and 14. Kevin Smith, Vivian, Associate in Christian Ministry; Mike Fontenot, Mamou, Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry; Chad Michael Hebert, Plaquemine, Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry; Keith Henderson, Bogalusa, Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics; Joshua Spinks, Denham Springs, Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics; Scott Breland, Bogalusa, Master of Divinity; Charles David Ellzey, Livingston, Master of Divinity; Sooa Yoo, Baton Rouge, Master of Divinity; Leslie Duane Jensen, Baton Rouge, Master of Theology; Jeffrey Friend, New Orleans, Doctor of Educational Ministry. Southeast Baptist Theological Seminary Terry Curt Iles  , Dry Creek, Master of Arts in Old Testament; Brady Gordon Glaser, Dry Creek, Advanced Master of Divinity; Wesley McKay, Dry Prong, Advanced Master of Divinty; Brandon J. Crepelle, Berwick, Master of Divinity with … [Read more...]

AG Jeff Landry: Edwards’ Executive Order, Obamas’ guidelines for schools have no ‘force of law’

By Louisiana Family Forum BATON ROUGE — Today, Attorney General Jeff Landry issued this official opinion regarding Governor John Bel Edwards’ Executive Order and the Obama administration’s guidelines for schools that are being federally forced on individual states. Both orders deal with similar subject matter: sexual orientation and gender identity. The request for the opinion was made by 32 Louisiana Legislators. The Attorney General findings are that neither of these executive actions have the force of law and are only aspirational. Neither the state nor the federal executive branch have constitutional or legal authority to define a newly protected class – sexual orientation and gender identity. With regard to the guidelines issued by the Obama administration dealing with transgender access in public schools, the Attorney General declares these to be “non-binding policy” relative to our state. "As you are aware, executive agencies are not permitted to redefine a federal statute," the letter correctly reads. "Rather, legislative power is vested in the legislative branch. The Administration is clearly attempting to bypass the legislative process and ignore the original legislative intent, which did not afford claims of … [Read more...]