Submitted by philip on Mon, 02/23/2015 - 13:42 When Donna Kirkland Reed, shown holding her granddaughter Hannah, passed away from a hemorrhage of irregular blood vessels in early January, her legacy lived on with one last gift – a donation of her liver, both kidneys, and her left lung. Her left lung was donated to a man who was 60, kidneys to two different 40 year old men and at Reed’s family’s request, her liver went to Louis Robertson, the father of her pastor, Philip Robertson of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Even in passing, Donna Kirkland Reed’s legacy lives on with the donation of both her kidneys and a lung to three total strangers. But the donation of one final organ, her liver, was designated by her family to go to Louis Robertson, who was the father of her pastor, Philip Robertson of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville, and had been on the liver transplant list since last October. In what is being hailed as a ‘miracle’ by doctors and the ‘providence of God ‘by both families, the liver proved to be a perfect match. Here is the story of the Robertson and Reed family journey and the special bond that has developed between the two families. PINEVILLE – … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 02/23/2015 - 13:46 Still Water Baptist Church Pastor Lonnie Tucker, a church planter, is not the first African American elected as an officer of the Louisiana Baptist Convention – Franklin Avenue’s Fred Luter was the first – but he has the distinction of being elected to the highest office – First Vice-President. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAMMOND – Standing on the platform with other 2015 Louisiana Baptist Convention officers at the conclusion of last year’s LBC Annual Meeting, Lonnie Tucker couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed at the historic moment. Tucker had just been elected to the highest office ever held by an African-American to the Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. The first African-American elected to such an office in 20 years, Tucker was “blown away” by the honor of chosen to serve as first vice-president. “It was a statement to our state and others in our convention that we want to come together,” said Tucker, who is pastor of Still Water Baptist Church with multiple campuses in New Orleans and on the Northshore. “We are different and I don’t believe in the phrase God sees no color. I believe He does and He loves it. He appreciates it. “As a … [Read more...]

By Ronnie Floyd, SBC President SPRINGDALE, Ark. (BP) – Christianity is alive and well in Washington, D.C., in spite of what you may read on your smartphones or watch on television. This past week, I spent two days in our nation’s capital, where I joined thousands of our fellow countrymen at the National Prayer Breakfast. I also saw firsthand the work of Southern Baptist lawmakers in Congress. There are 31 Southern Baptists serving in the House of Representatives and eight serving in the Senate. I was able to meet with many of them, and they asked me to share this message: Christianity is alive in our nation’s capital. Many of these elected officials attend weekly Bible studies and prayer meetings with their colleagues and local churches. And for the first time in more than 100 years, senators and representatives are gathering for a weekly worship service held in the U.S. Capitol. It is also open to the public. Ther assignment is tough. At times, it can be exhausting and discouraging. But they have a deep belief that God has them in this place at this time for a specific purpose. Each Southern Baptist lawmaker that I met loves the Lord passionately and serves our nation humbly and sacrificially. It was a true joy to be with … [Read more...]

By Bob Stith, Founder of Family and Gender Issues Ministries FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) – For centuries evangelicals have been relatively united in their belief that homosexual behavior is not God’s best for His children. Exodus International, founded in 1976, provided support to ministries advocating that view through personal counseling, support groups (many sponsored by churches) and in the broader culture. In 2012, however, some in the leadership of Exodus began sending mixed messages about the possibility of overcoming homosexual desires. A few of the leaders returned to homosexuality, stating that a gay identity was God-given. Others have argued that a “deeper understanding of grace” means that accepting a homosexual identity will not affect one’s relationship with God. Several very confused people have since contacted me with questions about efforts to defend homosexuality within a biblical context. One person asked if he had been unnecessarily resisting something that really isn’t forbidden. The common thread of such questions leads back to humanity’s original temptation by Satan: “Has God said?” And then his subtle follow-up statements: “God is just holding out on you. He doesn’t want you to know something that will make … [Read more...]

By Chuck Kelley, President of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary NEW ORLEANS (BP) – This may seem like a silly question, but do you know who Southern Baptists are? When asked that question, many people will think in terms of our theology and doctrine. We believe in the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture. We are a people of the Book and, therefore, we read it, preach it and seek to follow its teaching as we live our lives. We are theologically conservative and hold to a distinctive Baptist theology. Another way to address the question is to look at our mission. Who are we in terms of what we do? We answered that question at the first meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1845. After voting to create the SBC, messengers also voted to create a Foreign Mission Board and a Board for Domestic Missions. The glue that has always held us together is a common passion to call all the peoples of the world to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. The Great Commission is our DNA, literally. The glue that has always held us together and formed the basis of unprecedented levels of cooperation between completely autonomous churches is a common passion to call all the peoples of the world to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. More … [Read more...]

To the Editor While reading the recent Baptist Message with its informative and inspiring articles, I was appalled to learn of the Henna project being discussed with such enthusiasm on college campuses UNO and ULM and endorsed by our Baptist Collegiate Ministry. The idea of tattooing as described- even lasting only a few months -rather than permanently, astonished and saddened me. The notion that this is an ideal way of engaging girls in faith based conversations and even “afternoon sessions that lasted for hours to tattoo and discuss very familiar Bible stories and ways Jesus encountered people” is incomprehensible to me. In today’s culture this tragic practice of inking entire arms and bodies, has gained epic momentum as we witness our student athletes and young men and women going about their daily activities. Reading, “on the campus rarely a day goes by that the associate director of BCM on the ULM campus, doesn’t put a henna tattoo on a student, and as a result, allows for conversations to be shared about life,” makes me want to say WHAT??!! This project originated with “international students” for this henna tattoo originated thousands of yrs ago with the eastern world so why for heaven’s sake do we want to embrace it … [Read more...]

By Jeff Iorg, President of Golden Gate Seminary MILL VALLEY, Calif. (BP) –Tucked within an otherwise humorous Super Bowl ad by T-Mobile was a supposedly comedic line when a woman handed a newborn to his mother, “Sorry, it’s a boy.” The line sounded like a thunderclap to me when I first heard it. The growing cultural bias against boys – really all traditional aspects of maleness – is pervasive, but usually communicated more subtly. This was a far more blatant statement than I anticipated in a Super Bowl commercial. Even if it was supposed to be a comedic line, it was “hostile humor” making a profound point about our culture’s rejecting of boys, men and masculinity. If you think I am overreacting, consider what would have happened if the woman would have said, “Sorry, it’s a girl.” Every feminist leader, including every elected official who caters to their lobby, would have been outraged. There would have been boycotts, calls for apologies and resignations, and pledges of sensitivity training for those responsible for the ad. The outcry would have been loud and long! This commercial stood in contrast to another Super Bowl ad about doing things “like a girl” – which of course honored girls for their efforts and sought to build … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 02/23/2015 - 13:56 The praise team from First Baptist Church Pineville lead worship at the annual Kaleidoscope Conference Feb. 7. More than 270 women were challenged to pour themselves out in service to God at the Cooperative Program-fueled event sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention Women’s Missions & Ministry. By Holly Jo Linzay, Regional Reporter “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:6b-7 PINEVILLE – God is calling us to live sacrificially and to pour ourselves out in service to Him. “There is nothing more exciting than to be poured out for God. There is nothing better than to be in the center of God’s will,” Jaye Martin, the keynote speaker, told the women gathered at the Kaleidoscope conference. More than 270 women were challenged to pour themselves out in service to God at the Kaleidoscope conference Feb. 7 at First Baptist Church in Pineville. In order to be “poured out” for the Lord, Martin said, “We must give ourselves in service and sacrifice. But God only uses a clean vessel.” Kaleidoscope is a Cooperative … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 02/23/2015 - 13:58 Nearly 700 students worshipped during the main sessions of the Collegiate Evangelism Conference. By Brian Blackwell. Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Robby Gallaty presented students with a challenge – close their eyes and wonder about a life without sight. “Imagine if you were born into this world blind, do you know what that would be like?” Gallaty said to 675 students during the Collegiate Evangelism Conference. “That’s the world Bartimaeus came into.” Citing Mark 10:46-52, Gallaty challenged the students to do as Blind Bartimaeus did to receive eyesight – walk by faith and not by sight. To do this, Gallaty said students can do three things found in this passage. They are we should not be discouraged by the crowd, we should discard the cloaks in our life and we must surrender everything to Christ. Though Gallaty has never succumb to literal blindness, he told the students of the first 26 years of his life when he was spiritually without sight. A regular attender of church as a child and teenager, Gallaty said he was very religious but did not have a relationship with the Lord. Once he was on his own as a student at William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Miss., … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, Director of Planned Giving ALEXANDRIA – The Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees met for its regular quarterly Trustees meeting on Feb. 3. This is the first of four meetings for the Board for this year. The majority of board members are returning, continuing in the first term commitment or finishing a second 3 year term.  The Trustees welcomed its only new member for this year, Terry Shirley of DeRidder. Shirley has served the Foundation board in the past from 2002 through 2007. During the morning Investment Committee meeting, the various portfolios of the Foundation were reviewed in respect to performance and potential adjustments to asset allocation. Barbara Bell led a review of the financial assets under management.  As of December 31, 2014 the total assets managed by the LBF are $169,367,256.31 held in 2099 accounts on behalf of Baptist churches and ministries. Over the past ten years the assets held by the foundation have increased by 63.5% from $103,575,660 at the end of 2004. Lee Morris of Graystone Consulting, the LBF’s investment consultant, was present for the meeting and delivered his performance summary as well as general expectations for the coming year. Morris began his comments by … [Read more...]