Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Russell Moore to leave ERLC for Christianity Today

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) – Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, announced on russellmoore.com, May 18, he had “struggled with the decision” but that he was leaving his position with the Southern Baptist Convention to join Christianity Today as “public theologian and as director of a new venture, the Christianity Today Public Theology Project.” Moore had served since 2013 as head of the Nashville, Tennessee-based ERLC. Prior to that he was “provost and dean of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he also taught theology and ethics,” according to his website. Sharing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve Southern Baptists, he made special mention of his work on “national conferences such as MLK50 and Caring Well” as well as “a string of special successful engagements on matters of public policy.” He also praised his team for their “work of evangelism and cultural engagement.” Moore was staunchly pro-life during his eight-year tenure. One of his special emphases was providing ultrasound machines to pregnancy care centers through the ERLC’s ongoing Psalm 139 Project. The sonograms these medical … [Read more...]

Storms wreak havoc in Louisiana

By Baptist Message staff LAKE CHARLES, La. (LBM) - Heavy rainfall on Monday, May 16, dumped up to 15 inches in parts of southwest Louisiana and other areas of the state still recovering from Hurricanes Delta and Laura that devastated the region last year. “We know that this situation is becoming a little too familiar for a lot of us in Lake Charles,” Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter said in a video update on the city’s Facebook page. “This is another challenge, but it is not a challenge that we are not capable of handling.” Accuweather said the rainfall on Monday was the third-wettest day on record for Lake Charles. According to the National Weather Service, more than 15 inches of rain fell in south Lake Charles and other areas received up to 12 inches of rain. The excessive rain caused flash flooding that stranded cars in city streets and sent water inside homes. The Advocate newspaper reported that 10-12 inches of water fell in the Baton Rouge area, flooding streets and stranding some motorists m in their cars. St. George Fire Department crews performed multiple water rescues of motorists who drove into high water. Motorists also were stranded at the intersection of Camellia Blvd. and Johnston Street in Lafayette, … [Read more...]

They were listening to them

By Bill Britt HAUGHTON, La.  – Of all people, the Apostle Paul could have legitimately complained about the circumstances that he endured throughout his life. When we look back to the beginning of Paul’s journey as a believer, we see that he received a message from the Lord that illuminated the path he was about to embark on. Luke wrote the account of Paul's conversion in the book of Acts. Paul had been known as Saul until the time of his encounter with Jesus. We know that Saul had been persecuting the church, and he truly believed that he was doing God a favor. You can read about the amazing life change that brought Saul to become Paul in Acts 9. It is only the Gospel of Jesus Christ that can change the heart of any man or woman. Saul was given a message from God through a man named Ananias. This is that message. Saul would become a great man of God and would preach the Gospel to the Gentiles as well as to the children of Israel. He would preach to both royalty and the common man. However, he would suffer many things for the sake of Jesus (The Lord has never watered down the cost of following him.) Paul heard the command of the Lord and knew it would not be easy. In light of this revelation from the Lord, … [Read more...]

U.S. Rep. Scalise meets with Louisiana Baptists

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM)—U.S. Representative Steve Scalise (R-Jefferson Parish), who as minority whip is the number two ranking Republican in the House, took time May 10 to speak to members of the Louisiana Baptist Committee on Moral and Social Concerns. The group was holding its spring meeting in Baton Rouge at the Pentagon Barracks office of Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. Scalise thanked the committee for Louisiana Baptists’ strong pro-life stances and shared about his efforts in Congress to force a vote on the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act." The legislation, which has been blocked by the Democrat majority in the House, would mandate that babies who survive an abortion procedure be given the same standard of medical care offered to a baby of the same gestational age who is born prematurely. “Who would have ever guessed we would have to debate in America whether a baby born alive should be protected?” Scalise said. “But our ability to protect innocent life has never been more in jeopardy.” Scalise added that President Joe Biden’s rolling back of protections for the unborn was a key reason Republicans needed to get focused on “taking back the House … [Read more...]

Strong spring storm hammers state, causes extensive damage

By Baptist Message staff HALL SUMMIT, La. (LBM) – Fifteen members of a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief team spent Tuesday, May 11, clearing debris from around homes in Hall Summit that sustained damaged from a storm that came through the area the prior day. Marvin Leleux, incident commander for the team comprised of members from Natchitoches, Red River and Sabine parishes, and Keith Bryant and Matt Trahan with the Shreveport Volunteer Network, removed trees that fell on or near three homes in the community. Leleux, who is also a pastor of Springhill Baptist Church in Ringgold, said the team was grateful to be a part of being Christ’s hands and feet to those in need. “We were thankful in getting those people back on their feet as soon as possible,” Leleux told the Baptist Message. “You can’t pay me enough to do this, but in Jesus’ name I would do this all day long.” The storm destroyed at least one home, ripped off roofs from other homes, damaged vehicles and downed utility trees and poles throughout Red River Parish, KSLA News 12 reported. Hail produced from the storm also knocked out car windows in Caspiano and vehicles at the Joe D. Waggoner Jr. Lock and Dam No. 5, located on Red River south of the … [Read more...]

FRC plans Baton Rouge expansion of its nationwide operations

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – The Family Research Council has purchased the former Trinity Lutheran Church and Christian school campus in Baton Rouge to use as an additional location for its nationwide operations. FRC President Tony Perkins told the Baptist Message that COVID-19 restrictions, the “tense and turbulent atmosphere” in Washington, D.C., and a need for additional studio and video production space prompted the acquisition. The organization still will use its other office, headquartered in Washington, D.C., and Perkins plans to have a presence at both locations. He has commuted from his home in Baton Rouge to Washington, D.C., for the last 18 years. “The nation has experienced a lot over the last year and we should not be quick to dismiss it as a one-time occurrence,” Perkins said. “What this last year did was expose vulnerabilities and opportunities going forward. In a conversation I had with Dr. Ben Carson, who served on President Trump’s coronavirus taskforce, he predicted that it was very improbable that life would return to the way it was pre-pandemic.” Perkins, who shared the news with a roomful of 25 pastors at the Baton Rouge location May 7, said the FRC’s future … [Read more...]

Robinson ‘followed God’s call,’ earns degree at Louisiana College at 71

By Elizabeth Clarke, LC News PINEVILLE, La. (LC News) - When Mary Robinson came to Louisiana College in 2016, she had already experienced a full lifetime of professional and personal accomplishments—as a teacher, a mother and grandmother—the Peabody Montessori elementary teacher was happy with the challenges God had placed before her. But the Lord knew Mary was up for a new challenge. “My journey was God’s journey,” Mary said. “I enjoyed working with the children, but I heard the call from God to go back to school.” So that’s exactly what she did at age 67. Mary, now 72, earned her degree in missions and ministries, with a psychology minor, last year during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She participated in Louisiana College Commencement ceremonies May 8. Mary, who grew up in Shreveport, said she has had the call of God on her life since the age of 15. As an adult, she spent many years living all over, as a military wife, finally settling down in Cenla. Robinson worked at Pinecrest State Hospital in Pineville for 30 years, 28 as a manager, before retiring in 1998. Always active in church—the Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church is her current church home—but she has also visited many times at … [Read more...]

LC 166th commencement honors God, celebrates graduates

By Elizabeth Clarke, LC News ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - U.S. Congressman Mike Johnson told the Louisiana College Class of 2021 graduates that there were “only a handful of institutions in America where God could be honored” the way he was at the Louisiana Baptist Convention college’s 166th Commencement Saturday at the Rapides Coliseum. In his commencement address, Johnson, who represents Louisiana’s fourth congressional district, offered the students words of encouragement on the beginning of their journeys as college graduates. “Walk with the Lord; it’s that simple,” Johnson said. “Be humble and faithful in the little things God entrusts you with today. God will reward your faithfulness with more, and you will be set apart.” LC conferred 178 undergraduate and 65 graduate degrees at the day’s ceremony, which also included many of the 2020 graduates, whose commencement exercises last year were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Rick Brewer recognized the first seven graduates from the C.S. Lewis Honors College. Four students from the first cohort (2017) of C.S. Lewis Honors College graduated Saturday: •  Aaron Howe, B.S., biology •  Ragan Delrie, B.S., biology •  Carson Elliott. B.S., biology and … [Read more...]

Religious liberty resolution moves forward in legislature

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – A resolution to protect pastors from civil and criminal penalties for doing essential ministry during an emergency order has moved forward by a vote of 7-4 out of the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. H.C.R. 5, authored by Rep. Danny McCormick, a member of Trees Baptist Church in Vivian, “Suspends the enforcement of criminal penalties relative to religious assembly … as they relate to emergency proclamations and violations of emergency proclamations.” McCormick invited Gene Mills, president of Louisiana Family Forum, and Will Hall, director of the Louisiana Baptist Office of Public Policy, to join him in advocating for the measure before the committee. Hall said the governor’s office was active in seeking inputs from Louisiana Baptists, the largest non-Catholic religious body in the state, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, regarding the implementation of emergency orders. But he said the resolution offered to de-escalate situations where a conflict might arise from a pastor doing essential ministries during emergency proclamations. “This is a way, by just taking away the penalties, of avoiding escalation in a situation that … [Read more...]

LBC’s Horn, Bridges, Bailey lead prayers with governor

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Three Louisiana Baptists were among 10 pastors and other leaders from multiple denominations around the state who led prayers during a special call with Gov. John Bel Edwards on Thursday, May 6. Held on the annual National Day of Prayer through Zoom, Edwards and others prayed for children, teachers, health care and other essential workers; those impacted by a Seacor lift boat that capsized April 13; state and local leaders, including Edwards and his family; Louisianans hurt by the pandemic, hurricanes and winter storms last year; and President Joe Biden and his traveling party as they visited Lake Charles and New Orleans on Thursday. “The National Day of Prayer is a pretty simple recognition that God is in control and we are not,” Edwards said during the opening prayer. “And no matter our station in life, whether you are governor in the sixth year or a pastor, the higher your station in life, the more dependent you are, that I am, that we are, on God. “And I think we know that sometimes (our prayers) match with His plan and sometimes they don’t,” he continued. “But when they don’t, it’s because His plan is perfect and our prayers are not. That should reinforce the need for … [Read more...]