By Marilyn Stewart, Regional reporter NEW ORLEANS - When the team of 17 New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) students and  faculty members stepped into the neighborhood under storm-threatening skies April 21 to hand out 9-volt batteries, they did not know what the Lord would do. Three members of the community near the seminary came to faith in Christ. “The Lord gave us a window of one hour before the rain came down,” said Preston Nix, professor of evangelism and evangelistic preaching at NOBTS. “Two people…in two different locations had just finished praying to receive Christ when the rain started.” Seven faculty members and 10 students formed teams to knock on doors and give away free batteries for home smoke alarms. The teams partnered with Gentilly Baptist Church (GBC) to show love to neighbors with the goal of sharing the gospel. Two weeks later, on May 5, seven students and seven faculty members went into the community. As a result of their witness one person came to faith in Christ. “This involvement of our NOBTS faculty and students on the streets of our city shows once again that when we obey Christ's Great Commission, the Lord has people ready to respond,” said Ken Taylor, professor of urban missions at … [Read more...]

By Message Staff BATON ROUGE – Zoar Baptist Church is hosting a one-night conference about Christian sexuality on June 3. Scheduled from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, the second G3 Conference will include topics about same sex marriage and the church, gender and American culture, and the meaning of biblical manhood and womanhood. Student Minister Obbie Todd said the church has a mandate to address such issues, especially in a world that seems increasingly hostile toward a biblical worldview. “Christian families are coming to the slow realization that even Bible Belt culture doesn’t necessarily share their biblical values about marriage and family,” Todd said. “The legal definition of marriage has changed. The cultural role of women, inside and outside the church, is changing. Public restrooms are even changing. But the Word of God has not changed. June 3 will be a night of encouragement, education, and exhortation for a church navigating the troubled waters of the sexual revolution.” Last year, nearly 130 people attended the conference and Todd expects 170 may attend this year. Those attending will receive a free meal, t-shirts and books. The cost to attend the seminar is free, though a box for donations to cover the cost will be on … [Read more...]

Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be Thy Name. We, your children, come with very grateful hearts for all You have done for us as individuals and as citizens of this great nation. We recognize it is because of Your Grace and the sacrifice of so many that we can call ourselves Americans and can be a part of the most blessed nation in the world. On this Memorial Day enable us to remember. To remember those who have given their all for the values we hold as Americans. To remember those who have returned with wounds so physically and emotionally deep, that they may never be the same as before. May we sympathize with those who will never see the birth of their child, their child’s graduation, see their daughter as the beautiful bride, or stand with their handsome son as the groom. May we also sympathize with the many who will never hold a grandchild, cruise the oceans, or live to see old age. Your Word says, “No greater sacrifice can be given than to give one’s life for his friends.” That is what so many have done. They have given their lives for their country, for the freedom and values we hold so dear. Father, as we remember on this memorial day, help us join with the grief stricken families that live every day with the … [Read more...]

By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae Composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915 during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium   On May 2, 1915, John McCrae’s close friend and former student Alexis Helmer was killed by a German shell. That evening, in the absence of a Chaplain, John McCrae recited from memory a few passages from the Church of England’s “Order of the Burial of the Dead.” For security reasons Helmer’s burial in Essex Farm Cemetery was performed in complete darkness. The next day, May 3, 1915, Sergeant-Major Cyril Allinson was delivering mail. McCrae was sitting at the back of an ambulance parked near the dressing station beside the YserCanal, just a few hundred yards north of Ypres, Belgium. As John McCrae was writing his In Flanders Fields poem, Allinson silently watched and later recalled, “His face was very tired but calm as he wrote. He looked around from time to time, his eyes straying to Helmer's grave." Within moments, John McCrae had completed the “In Flanders Fields” poem and when he was done, without a word, McCrae took his mail and handed the poem to Allinson. Allinson was deeply moved: “The (Flanders Fields) poem was an exact description of the scene in front of us both. He used the word blow in … [Read more...]

"Eternal Father, Strong to Save" is a beautiful, haunting hymn about the men and the sea. The U.S. Naval Academy has adopted it as its official hymn. The Women's Glee Club gives a beautiful rendition of the hymn. http://www.usna.edu/Music/media/Eternal_Father.mp4 … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]