By Tom Strode, Baptist Press   WASHINGTON (BP) –Susan G. Komen for the Cure revised a policy Feb. 3 that it had recently used in deciding to stop funding for Planned Parenthood, leaving the impression it had reversed itself on future grants to the country’s No. 1 abortion provider.   The statement issued by the world’s leading breast cancer organization did not guarantee Planned Parenthood affiliates would continue to receive funds, however; only that they would remain eligible for such grants.   Komen’s action – after three days of a deluge of Planned Parenthood-fueled criticism – was received by many pro-life advocates as a distressing setback following so closely on the Jan. 31 report that the breast cancer charity would no longer give money to one of the abortion rights movement’s leading organizations.   One thing seemed certain after days of widespread news coverage of Komen’s original action and the reaction:   Many more pro-lifers now know the breast cancer foundation has given to Planned Parenthood and may continue to do so. As a result, pro-life advocates’ donations to Komen and participation in its popular five-kilometer fundraising runs/walks that draw more than … [Read more...]

By Gary Meyers, Baptist Press   [img_assist|nid=7919|title=Fred Luter|desc=Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, announced to his church on Jan. 29 that he will allow his name to be placed in nomination for presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention at the SBC annual meeting this summer when it comes to New Orleans. David Crosby, pastor of First New Orleans, will nominate Luter.|link=none|align=right|width=425|height=640]NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, announced to his church Jan. 29 that he’s willing to be nominated for the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention when the SBC annual meeting comes to New Orleans June 19-20.   Luter is to be nominated by David E. Crosby, pastor of First Baptist Church in New Orleans.   “Fred has been among Southern Baptists for more than 25 years as a pastor. He has taken a church that was at death’s door to the largest worshipping congregation in the state of Louisiana among Southern Baptists,” Crosby said.   “He has been a great evangelist and has baptized thousands of people through these years of ministry.”   Luter is the SBC’s current first vice … [Read more...]

By Keith Manuel, Evangelism Associate   Conviction wrought the heart of Mr. Miller about his lack of concern for spiritual things.   He had surrendered his life to the Lord years earlier but in recent years, there was no longing for the pleasures of God.   The year was 1857 and the Layman’s Prayer Revival was in full swing. With a heart renewed by the Lord, Miller (we are never told his first name) grew concerned about the spiritual condition of his family. He immediately left New York on a steamer bound for his home state of Massachusetts. Unable to sleep, he stayed awake all night praying for God to do a work in the heart of his elderly, infirmed father.   Upon arriving home, his mother told Miller that his father had grown concerned about the things of God and was saved during the same hour Miller began to pray. Overjoyed, Miller then traveled to see his sister. After sharing the Gospel with her, she too received the Lord.   Next, Miller wrote a letter to his uncle who was not saved. He informed his uncle of the revival in their family and about the believing members of the family who were praying for him. The uncle replied that while they were praying for him some 80 miles … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Baptist Message Editor   Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the well-known and respected breast cancer charity, has been the subject of a serious game of political football. In the end, abortion supporters applied intense pressure and scored a big victory for their cause and a small monetary win for Planned Parenthood.   News broke Jan. 31 that Komen was ceasing grants to Planned Parenthood designated for breast-health related services. The grants totaled approximately $680,000.   Komen officials insisted the decision to defund Planned Parenthood had to do with the fact the organization is currently under congressional investigation, and not with Planned Parenthood’s abortion services.   Those leading the intense attacks on Komen, mostly women’s groups and elected officials – all who are pro-abortion – were unconvinced. They insisted the organization had caved to pressure from pro-life groups and set out to force Komen to reverse its course.   On Friday, Komen apparently reversed its decision to defund Planned Parenthood. “We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants,” Nancy … [Read more...]

By Argile Smith, Louisiana College   The account of Paul’s journey to Thessalonica in Acts 17 warms and then breaks our hearts. A fountain of joy floods our hearts as we read about the church that Paul started there (17:1-5).   As soon as he arrived in Thessalonica, he visited the synagogue and shared the gospel with everyone who would listen to him. Taking them to the Scriptures, he argued that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, the Messiah promised long ago.   Some of the residents of Thessalonica believed what Paul proclaimed, and they received Christ. Along with the Jewish people who listened to him at the synagogue, Paul shared the gospel with others in the city, and many of them gave their lives to Christ as well.   Paul gathered the new believers together and established a church. He then focused his attention on nurturing them so they would grow to become healthy, vibrant, and resilient disciples.   Our hearts break, however, when we read about what happened next (17:6-15). A handful of jealous Jewish leaders who didn’t take Paul seriously got really angry at him when they saw the impact of the message he preached.   These resentful men put their rage to … [Read more...]

By Archie England, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at NOBTS   Question: Should Christians give their wealth to others who are less fortunate, especially in light of the financial needs of churches and ministry organizations these days?   Archie England responds, with Zechariah 7:14 as the scriptural basis: Zechariah and Haggai ministered to Jews returning from exile. The Persians had allowed them provisions and materials to rebuild their temple and to renew their lands. Hope exuded among the people because they anticipated renewed blessings from God. In fact, they had faithfully participated in 30-day fasts, twice a year, for 70 years. They had prayed for such renewal and restoration!   And, it had finally arrived – only Zechariah challenged them very differently from what they expected. The prophet informed Israel that God’s blessings have a purpose: helping others. Specifically, Zechariah gave that post-exilic community three guidelines to clarify (1) how to enjoy God’s blessings and (2) how to escape the same fate as their ancestors.   First, Israel must make good decisions that are full of integrity. The text literally reads, “judge true judgments.” To judge, here, necessitates … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor [img_assist|nid=7925|title=Emma Miller|desc=Emma Miller, 9 and a fourth-grader at Phoenix Magnet School in Pineville, packed 21 gallons of aluminum can tabs Jan. 18 to help the families of cancer patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.|link=none|align=left|width=480|height=640]PINEVILLE/BALL – Emma Miller was 6 years old when she started a mission project to help a teenage friend with cancer. She’s now 9, and though her friend appears to be cancer-free, the project continues: Emma collects the tabs from aluminum cans and sends them to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. To date she’s gathered more than 275 pounds, or about 300,000 tabs, her parents figure. “I’ve been so surprised they just keep showing up, and sometimes in large quantities,” said Kristetta Miller, Emma’s mom. “Since the article about it first appeared in the [October 2010 issue of the] Baptist Message, we have gotten them from all over the state.” That article still is available online at www.baptistmessage.com. The tabs provide income used to pay for expenses of cancer patients’ families staying free up to six months at the Ronald McDonald house. “I’m amazed people have … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor STATEWIDE – The Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home has found a new way to minister to hurting youngsters across the Pelican state, and also is in the initial stages of expanding globally. With at least 4,500 children in the foster care system in Louisiana, and with just a few more than 2,200 homes certified as foster care providers, there is an urgent need for additional foster parents. There also is a need for a support system for foster parents who deal daily with the effects of children who have been neglected or abused, or whose parents are too ill to care for them, or are in prison. “The state doesn’t have enough foster homes, and where better for those children to be than in godly Christian homes where they can experience God’s love? Our vision is for hundreds of foster children to be in Louisiana Baptist homes,” said Perry Hancock, LBCH president and CEO. LBCH is leading the charge to bring a fresh awareness of the ministry involved in being a foster care provider, and it has developed a church-based foster care network for those providers. “We can help churches envision the ministry and then equip them to minister in unique ways to foster children and their families,” Hancock … [Read more...]

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