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Ten things that might surprise you about GuideStone’s Supreme Court case

March 22, 2016

By O.S. Hawkins DALLAS — The U.S. Supreme Court will hear GuideStone’s Supreme Court case on Wednesday, March 23 — right before Easter. The High Court will have to decide whether the government can force GuideStone to provide drugs that can be easily obtained through the government’s own health care exchanges. How did we get to this place? For nearly 100 years, GuideStone has provided generous, Christ-centered health and retirement benefits to Baptist ministries. Today those benefits include more than ten different contraceptive methods that are consistent with GuideStone’s commitment to pro-life principles. But for the government, that is not enough. The government wants to force Baptist ministries to turn their values-driven GuideStone health care plan into a vehicle for delivering deadly, abortion-causing drugs like the “morning-after pill” and even the “week-after pill.” The government won’t require ministries to pay for the drugs, and for that reason it claims it has given ministries an “opt-out.” But truthfully, it is an “opt-in,” because the government would still use GuideStone’s plan to deliver these drugs to the staff and families of Baptist ministries — including their daughters as young as 10. Was … [Read more...]

Supreme Court challenge has been years in the making; GuideStone litigation a ‘reluctant’ step in multifaceted attempt to address grievances

March 22, 2016

By Roy Hayhurst, GuideStone Financial Resources DALLAS — On March 23, attorneys for GuideStone Financial Resources, Reaching Souls International and Truett-McConnell College, along with more than 30 other ministry organizations, will present oral arguments in the ministries’ litigation against a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ mandate that would require these ministries to participate in the government’s efforts to provide abortion-causing drugs and devices through their health programs or face crippling penalties. The high court is being asked to determine whether the government can compel the ministries to participate in providing access to these drugs and devices that it could easily provide — without violating the conscience of the ministries — through its own health care exchanges. The case will be among the first argued without Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February. History “GuideStone began working alongside many large and historic denominational health plans when the Obama Administration first signaled that comprehensive health care insurance reform was a top legislative priority,” said Harold R. Loftin, Jr., GuideStone’s general counsel. “We recognized that the unique nature of church … [Read more...]

VIDEO: Disaster Relief pouring in from all over country, including Virginia

March 22, 2016

Ron Earley, who is from Virginia and drove 22 hours over two days to get to Louisiana, has been a part of numerous responses to disaster since he began serving as a Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team member in 2005. From the flooding disasters from Katrina to Maine to Colorado, Earley, who just starting his five day shift, said he has noticed something that’s unusual compared to most disasters in which he has responded. “A lot of times in disaster, neighbors won’t pull together,” said Earley, a member of the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia Disaster Relief team. “They will wait for help to come in. It hasn’t been the case here. Neighbors are helping neighbors and I am amazed how people are pulling together here.” Early has been joined by other SBC volunteers of Virginia as well as volunteers from Louisiana, Tennessee and Illinois helping victims in the surrounding area. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBNf_HdNZRg … [Read more...]

Disaster relief efforts continue in full force throughout the state

March 22, 2016

By Message Staff Help is rolling into Louisiana. Almost two weeks after storms dumped more than two feet of rain in areas of the state and caused the worst flooding seen in Louisiana in more than 25 years, units from 12 states have arrived to lend a helping hand. One such Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team from Arkansas along with a couple of disaster relief team members from First Baptist Church in Pineville spent Tuesday morning preparing 850 meals for those affected by the flooding in central Louisiana. Stationed at Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church in Alexandria, the team is working through March 28 there. Ed Whitson, a member of the Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief team from Arkadelphia, Ark., told the Baptist Message this is their passion and mission to those hurting after the flooding. "As Baptists, this is part of our mission," Whitson said, "to serve in any place in need and get the word out about our Savior." Jamie Stansell, a member at First Pineville, was helping the team from Arkansas prepare a meal of salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls. He enjoyed meeting the team from Arkansas and serving those in his own area who had been affected by the flooding. "I've been trained before … [Read more...]

Louisiana Lagniappe

March 22, 2016

IN REMEMBERANCE Bill Hines of Coushatta passed away March 3 at the age of 90. Memorial services were held at First Baptist Church of Coushatta with Lee Dickson and Billy Burkett officiating. Interment was at Springville Cemetery in Coushatta. He was a graduate of William Jewel University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reared in a Christian home, he began his ministry in youth-led revivals at the age of 19 and actively served the Lord for over 70 years until his passing 9 days after his 90th birthday. He was a great minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for over 70 years, with 38 of those years being served among the churches of the District Eight Baptist Convention. He was president of District Eight for four terms, and was still a faithful pastor at the time of his home-going. Preceding him in death were his parents and one brother, Bobby Hines. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jeanette; five children, Ginny Hines; Gene Hines and wife, Diane; Gerry Camp and husband, Richard; Joy Dowden and husband, Chris; Jennifer Moore and husband, Mark; and 10 grandchildren. Ernest Julius [E.J.] Bradshaw of Leesville passed away March 6 at the age of 89. Services were held at East Leesville Baptist Church with his … [Read more...]

Long, hard recovery in store for flooding victims; growing number of volunteers trying to ease the burden

March 21, 2016

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Nearly two weeks after historic flooding has ravaged many parts of the state, both Southern Baptist and Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief units and a growing number of volunteers continue tireless working to help rebuild lives and give hope found through Jesus. Since the flooding began, churches at 12 locations --  First Baptist Church in Haughton, North Monroe Baptist Church, First Baptist Church in Farmerville, East Leesville Baptist Church, Pinehill Baptist Church in Leesville, Cross Roads Baptist Church in Vinton, Westside Baptist Church in Natchitoches, Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church in Alexandria, Trinity Baptist Church in Franklinton, Woodland Park Baptist Church in Hammond, First Baptist Church in Bogalusa and Rolling Hills Ministries in Ruston -- have served as staging areas for Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief operations. Volunteers from 13 states so far have responded. John Cowling with Rolling Hills Ministries said multiple opportunities for service are available and volunteers needed. "Those who are wanting to serve can visit one of these locations and they will plug them into serving beside a trained Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer," he said. With … [Read more...]

LC’s Preview Day draws 100+ from four states

March 21, 2016

By Norm Miller, LC communications PINEVILLE (LCNews) - In one of the best attended preview days in the history of Louisiana College, more than 100 prospective students visited the Pineville campus March 19, tripling the event’s attendance from a year previous. Representing private, public and home schools, the multi-ethnic group came from four states: Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. “Preview Day was a success not just because we had a record number of attendees, but because we are expanding the scope of Christian Liberal Arts education,” said Brandon Bannon, vice president for enrollment management. “Today’s parents and students seek a college, where the education is relational, relevant and rigorous, and they are discovering Louisiana College to be that school,” LC President Rick Brewer said. “Indeed, we are preparing students not just for a degree, job or career, but for life.” About 30 who registered for the event did not attend, but LC is reaching out to them with an invitation to the college’s annual Cochon de Lait, April 23. … [Read more...]

Cowgirl uses horse-trough plunge to symbolize her rebirth in Christ

March 21, 2016

By Jamie Stephens, Regional reporter WEST MONROE – As Mount Vernon Baptist Church Youth Pastor Bobby Blasingame lowered 15-year-old Rileigh Norred into a horse trough in front of the church, he believed the significance of her baptism was a very honorable, unique, and special experience. “Over the years and at Mount Vernon I have baptized several people, but I have never had the special privilege of baptizing anyone in a horse trough,” explained Blasingame, “Although it doesn’t matter where a baptism takes place, it’s always a humbling experience to be part of it.” Michelle Norred, Rileigh’s mother, expressed appreciation for Mount Vernon Baptist Church Pastor Randy Burdeaux’s receptive attitude about the special arrangements. “When Rileigh told me that she wanted to be baptized in a horse trough, I thought we would have Bobby come to our house,” Michelle said, “It was great that Brother Randy was so open to the idea and accommodated her.  Our horses are a part of our everyday lives and being able to use that to reveal Rileigh’s decision to surrender her life to Christ was an extra blessing.” “I never knew what a horse trough even looked like until we began planning Rileigh’s baptism,” Blasingame said. “Many of us … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief sessions scheduled at four locations this week

March 21, 2016

With the need for trained disaster relief volunteers a high priority throughout Louisiana, four locations are hosting training sessions, sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Disaster Relief. Two sessions will take place in Sulphur and Natchitoches Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Houston River Baptist Church in Sulphur will offer mud-out training, where volunteers will learn how to clean out the inside of homes damaged by the flooding. Trinity Baptist Church in Natchitoches will hold mud-out and shower unit training that night as well. The cost is 28 dollars at both locations and includes a hat and shirt. Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge will hold mud-out training. The training fee is $22, and includes a hat and shirt. And through Saturday, First Baptist Church in Haughton will host two short sessions each day for walk-up volunteers wishing to minister in Bossier, Caddo and Webster parishes. Pastor Gevan Spinney said the free sessions are at 7 am and noon, and volunteers should come wearing rubber boots. Other equipment will be provided. Over the weekend, 134 volunteers were trained in mud-out, feeding, chainsaw, childcare and ham radio at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston while another … [Read more...]

LC’s debate team wins in two categories

March 21, 2016

By Norm Miller, LC communications PINEVILLE (LCNews) - Louisiana College’s debate team competed at the inaugural Alvin College Classic International Public Debate Association tournament in both the novice and professional divisions on March 4-5 in Alvin, Texas. LC Debate Coach Brian Manuel took top honors in the professional division, and Stephen Marsalis - a third-year debater and junior history major from Lafayette, Louisiana - was a semifinalist in the professional division. “Louisiana College is one of the oldest organizations on campus, and it owns a winning history,” said Manuel, an adjunct professor at LC and middle school English teacher in Oakdale. “I am deeply proud of our team because they prepared diligently and represented LC admirably. We continue to see improvement in our statistics.” Learning to debate teaches students how to communicate clearly and authoritatively while being persuasive in a cordial manner, Manuel said. “It helps students to be prepared with an answer in most any situation they may face, whether one-on-one, or with colleagues, or even larger audiences.” The next competition for Louisiana College’s debate team will be the National IPDA championship March 31 - April 3 at Lee … [Read more...]

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Editorial

FIRST PERSON: As goes the family, so goes the culture

By Gene Mills, Louisiana Family Forum president BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Public policy matters, especially regarding the health and growth of families, the basic building block of any flourishing society. As we have seen throughout history, as goes the family, so goes the culture. Unfortunately, for too long … Read More

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