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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Obey! Just why does God have to be so insistent?

By Art Toalston, Editor Baptist Press Without doubt, one of the facts of faith is that we must obey God. Moms and dads, in varying ways, yearn for their children to obey. And we surely marvel at children who indeed obey their parents. Citizens, sometimes grudgingly, understand they must obey the law. And if we think about it, we’re glad for every moment of safety that the law, when obeyed, accords us in our homes, our automobiles and in our communities. But obey God? We tend to accuse God of unilaterally issuing an edict: “Just do as I say.” God is far from the only one, however, with an expectation of obedience in today’s cultural milieu. Pro-choice advocates, though they don’t use the word, strive for the society to obey, or yield to, even laud their beliefs for abortion rights. And yes, those who see the hand of God in all moments of human life also attempt to sway people to their moral ground. The same push and shove to obey, sometimes with civility, is evident among homosexual rights advocates and among those who see a loving God calling humankind to refrain from homosexuality. The tussle for public opinion is evident between proponents of marijuana legalization and those who sorrow over anyone’s flight from reality … [Read more...]

Gulde awarded honorary doctorate from Trinity

Submitted by philip on Mon, 02/24/2014 - 13:08 Carl Gulde, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Colfax, (left) receives an honorary doctorate from Trinity Theological Seminary President Harold Hunter in a Feb. 16th service at the church. COLFAX – Carl Gulde recently received the highest honor that Trinity Theological Seminary awards. Presented by Trinity President Harold Hunter, the honorary doctor of divinity degree was given to Gulde during a special service at Bethel Baptist in Colfax, the church where he serves. The seminary located in Newburgh, Indiana, has awarded the degree six times since its founding in 1969. Criteria for the degree include a lifetime of record achievement in faithful service to God, extraordinary personal character and nomination by a member of the Trinity Board of Regents. A native of Trout, Gulde’s first pastorate was at Pritchard Baptist in January 1997. He also has served as pastor of Crowville Baptist and Oak Grove Baptist. He has been pastor of Bethel for the last three years. “I’m honored and overwhelmed from receiving this honor,” Gulde said. “I cherish it and will revere the title and will do my very best to live up to expectations of it for the rest of my … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

ON THE MOVE Ronnie Chiasson ordained into the Gospel Ministry at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Franklinton. Stephanie Howard new as Children Ministry Assistant at Airline Baptist Church, Bossier City. Bill Treadway retires as pastor of Ida Baptist Church. Chuck Johnson has resigned at Youth Minister at Pine Grove Baptist Church, Livingston.   REVIVAL/HOMECOMING Trinity Baptist Church, Eunice: Celebrated 15th anniversary with former members and friends, Feb. 16 at morning services and Dinner on the Grounds. Speaker: James Spell. Pastor: Alvin Ogea. Fair Park Baptist Church, West Monroe: 65th anniversary, March 9, 8 & 10:30 a.m. followed by Dinner on the Grounds, 1:45 a.m. Pastor: Waymon Warren. Cotile Baptist Church: Revival, March 13-15, 7 p.m. nightly. Speaker: Don Gauthier. 32nd Homecoming/Anniversary Service,  March 16 ,11 a.m. followed by lunch. Gautheir will close out revival that day. 11th Hour will be in concert, 1:30 p.m. A love offering will be taken for the group. Pastor: Johnny Miller. Longview Baptist Church, Deville: Revival, March 16-19. Sunday, March 16 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. March 17-19, 7 p.m. Speaker: Bill Robertson. Worship: Second Chance Trio. Pastor: Robby Poole. Judson Baptist Church, Walker: … [Read more...]

Fagan: Marriage is on the rocks in the United States

By Staff, World News Magazine Fewer than half of American 17 year olds are being raised by both biological parents in an intact family, the most devastating casualty in the marriage battle raging in America today, according to Patrick Fagan, senior fellow and director of the Marriage and Religion Research Institute. Fagan discussed the state of the American family and released the Fourth Index of Family Belonging in a webcast hosted by the Family Research Council on Wednesday. The study calculated the percentage of 17 year olds in the United States raised by both biological parents in an intact family since birth. The regional index ranged from a high of 50 percent in the Northeast to a low of 42 percent in the South. The Asian community had the most teens living in intact families, 65 percent, while African-Americans had the fewest, 17 percent. Marriage is the foundational piece for every other aspect of society, Fagan said. Strong, healthy marriages produce strong, healthy families. Strong families produce healthy churches and strong schools. A well-educated population manifests a strong economy, and only a strong economy can support a strong government and nation. When the family is weakened, all of society suffers. The … [Read more...]

Foundation board welcomes new members, elects new officers

By Jerry Love, Louisiana Baptist Foundation ALEXANDRIA – A new year, new board members and new officers highlighted the quarterly meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees Feb. 4. The Foundation staff held an orientation session for the six new trustees on Monday prior to the Tuesday ‘s Board Meeting during which they were given the opportunity to understand their role as trustees on the board. Foundation Executive Director  Wayne Taylor began the session by stating the purpose of the LBF, which is to “encourage and assist Louisiana Baptists with estate stewardship and to provide investment and administrative services to the churches and agencies of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.” Taylor also said the trustees’ job is to represent Louisiana Baptists by setting policies for the Foundation’s investment and accounting activities as well as the policies for accepting gifts from donors to Baptist ministries. “Your job, then, is to hold me as the Executive Director accountable for executing the policies you set,” Taylor stated. He encouraged them to confer with one another and to rely on each other’s strengths and expertise as they oversaw  the work of the Foundation. In the first order of business on … [Read more...]

Famed Angola warden Burl Cain to share story at 2014 Evangelism Conference

Submitted by philip on Mon, 01/13/2014 - 12:10 Angola Warden Burl Cain has transformed “the bloodiest prison in America” by rehabilitating inmates through the Bible. Since he began his efforts, thousands of inmates have professed Christ as their Lord and Savior and there has been an 85 percent decrease in violence at the prison. He will share his story during the 2014 Louisiana Evangelism Conference Jan. 27-28. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ANGOLA – Warden Burl Cain is a man who promotes eternal life in a place where many will spend the rest of their days behind bars. Inside the walls of what was once known as “bloodiest prison in America,” an atmosphere of hope and progress is now the norm, thanks in large part to Cain’s desire to rehabilitate inmates through the Bible. “What you’ve seen happen is what God does when He is welcome,” Cain said of the faith-based initiatives that have occurred at Angola. Cain became warden of Angola in February 1995, after serving as warden of Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson for 14 years. Just a few months after he started at Angola, Cain experienced his first administration of lethal injection there on an inmate convicted of murdering his mother-in-law. Cain, who … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists encouraged to pray and pledge for La. College Feb. 23

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Louisiana Baptists are encouraged to pray and pledge for the future of Louisiana College for one day next month. Scheduled for Feb. 23, Pray and Pledge Day will focus on giving to refurbish dormitories, administrative buildings and other areas of the state’s only Louisiana Baptist college. The special day is part of a larger effort to meet a goal of $50 million for improvements on campus. Of that $50 million goal, $12 million is dedication to student housing, which includes needs such as roofing, new HVAC units, new windows and new lighting that would make the dormitories more energy efficient. One of the dormitories, Cottingham Hall, has not received an upgrade in 70 years. Dr. Rod Masteller, director of the Joseph Willis Institute for Great Spiritual Awakenings at Louisiana College, said too often prospective students will tour the campus and notice facilities in need of repair. As a result, many of those students will choose one of the state schools over Louisiana College, Masteller said. “For the kingdom’s sake and our state convention’s sake, we have to redo these dorms,” Masteller said. Masteller said he hopes Pray and Pledge Day will bring greater awareness to the … [Read more...]

Sotomayor blocks contraceptive mandate for Catholic groups

y Staff, World News Magazine WASHINGTON, D.C. – Right before Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor headed to New York’s Times Square to lead the official countdown to 2014 Jan. 31, she issued an emergency stay temporarily blocking the contraceptive mandate for a number of Catholic organizations in Colorado. Sotomayor handles emergency applications from the 10th Circuit, which includes a number of Western states. On Dec. 30, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had denied an injunction to Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged, Christian Brothers Services, and Christian Brothers Employee Benefits Trust. The lawsuit was filed as a class action on behalf of a number of Catholic organizations.   Legal Pot Sales Start in Colorado   DENVER, Colo. – As of New Year’s Day, anyone 21 or older with a valid photo ID can buy marijuana in Colorado. At 8 a.m. on Jan. 1 a handful of businesses licensed to sell recreational marijuana opened their doors, making Colorado the first state in the nation to legalize the cultivation, possession, sale, and use of a substance still considered illegal by the federal government. Shops in 19 cities and seven counties began selling marijuana for smoking, as well as cannabis-infused … [Read more...]

The unborn await Dr. King’s dream – right to life

By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor On Aug. 28, 1963, an estimated 250,000 people gathered at our nation’s capital for the express purpose of making a unified statement that all citizens of America – regardless of their skin color – should be treated with equality. It was to this mighty throng that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his most memorable oratory. With an economy of words, Dr. King eloquently articulated a vision that still moves people committed to life, liberty and justice for all. Throughout his “I Have A Dream” speech, Dr. King echoed his vision of a colorblind America where people would “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” “In a sense,” he told the crowd, “we have come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Dr. King’s words, as well as his actions, helped galvanize a generation on the issue of civil rights and change the plight of black Americans. … [Read more...]