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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Holloway Baptist to honor Pastor Jack West on his retirement

By Staff, Baptist Message Jack West, pastor of Holloway Baptist Church in Deville, will be honored on his retirement on Jan. 23. The church, where West has pastored for the past 37 years, will have Sunday School at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. followed by a meal after worship. A reception for the Jack and Becky West will be held at 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend this special occasion as it honors him and his wife Becky. After graduating from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, he pastored First Baptist Church in Peterman, Alabama. In January of 1985, he came to Holloway where he has served ever since. … [Read more...]

LCU celebrates addition of Pizza Hut to food court

By Lexi Rachal, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, La. (Wildcats Media) – Louisiana Christian University has added another dining option to the food court at the Hixson Student Center food. President Rick Brewer, who was on hand, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open a new Pizza Hut on Jan. 11, said the restaurant was added after the student body, in the spring 2021 semester, indicated they most wanted pizza and wings as new food court offerings. “It was really in response to students,” Brewer said. “That’s why we did it.” Students such as Jai Melancon waited in line up to 30 minutes before the ribbon cutting to receive one of the 100 free t-shirts handed out by the school to mark the occasion. “I love that our school’s investing back into the student body,” Melancon said. Pizza Hut joins Starbucks, Subway and Wildcat Grill as dining options available to students. Brewer said he is hopeful LCU will add even more food options in the future. … [Read more...]

‘Shepherd’s Rest’ ministry offers encouragement to pastors

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Pastoral Leadership Director Ray Swift announced that resources are available for ministers who need someone to lean on. Swift said the Convention’s ‘Shepherd’s Rest’ ministry provides support for a pastor to take a brief sabbatical (up to four Sundays) with the assurance that the church where he serves will have pastoral oversight. This ministry is provided at no cost to the pastor or congregation. “Pastors should know they don’t have to face it alone,” Swift told the Baptist Message. “The reality is every pastor, every church, is facing similar distractions, difficulties and problems. The best resource we have is to reach out to one another and speak to another pastor and engage in guidance from the LBC. Most of all we have God. His promise is He is going to build the church and no pandemic or hurricane can stop that.” Swift also shared that the Pastoral Leadership team is available to help congregations seeking a permanent pastor – by providing training for search committees, something he said should be helpful at this time when 257 of 1,611 congregations are without pastors. For more information about the ‘Shepherd’s Rest’ … [Read more...]

Biden’s 2021 judicial appointments outpaced Trump, Obama, Clinton and Bushes

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The White House released a statement celebrating President Biden’s success in appointing federal judges during his first year in office. In 2021, “40 circuit and district court judges were confirmed – the most since Ronald Reagan was president,” the press release noted, adding that another 35 nominees have been announced although not acted upon by the U.S. Senate. “Eighty percent of those confirmed judges are women, with 53 percent being people of color.” The announcement comes amid controversy about the claimed conservative makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court and former President Donald J. Trump’s remaking of the federal benches following the eight-year term of former President Barack Obama. When Obama took office, there was only one liberal bench among the 13 U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal, but when he left there were nine Democratic majority appointed courts. He also appointed two judges to the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump was successful in appointing three judges to the Supreme Court and also shifted three federal appeals courts from a Democrat majority of appointments, so that seven of 13 were conservative leaning. He also nearly flipped the liberal … [Read more...]

U.S. military purges Christians

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor WASHINGTON (LBM)—The United States Department of Defense has begun discharging military personnel after denying every vaccine religious exemption request to date. As of Dec. 29, 2021, there were 18,548 combined religious exemption requests among active-duty forces in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy. None had been approved, although some cases are pending. Meanwhile, the Marine Corps already has discharged 206 of those who made religious exemption requests and the Air Force has separated 27 airmen. Both the Army and Navy have said they will wait until January to begin proceedings against those who have been denied a religious exemption to the vaccine mandate. Now, a federal judge in Texas has issued a preliminary injunction against the vaccine mandate in a lawsuit brought by elite members of the U.S. Navy. U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor, with the Northern District of Texas in Fort Worth, ruled, Jan. 3, that the DoD has violated the sailors’ constitutional right to refuse the vaccine based on their religious beliefs. The plaintiffs are 26 enlisted or chief warrant Navy Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) members, five enlisted special warfare combatant craft … [Read more...]

Fauci to MSNBC: Don’t rely on ‘hospitalization’ numbers

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NEW YORK (LBM)- -During a broadcast interview, Dec. 29, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden, addressed the troubling number of children who have been hospitalized during the recent spike associated with the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Fauci, who has served under seven presidents as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, cautioned MSNBC host Ayman Mohyeldin that there were two factors contributing to the rising numbers among children. “Quantitatively, you’re having so many more people, including children, who are getting infected,” Fauci said. Additionally, hospitals are “overcounting the number of children who are hospitalized ‘with COVID’ as opposed to ‘because of COVID.'” On his first point, Fauci explained that “hospitalization among children is much, much lower on a percentage basis than hospitalizations for adults, particularly elderly individuals.” But he offered that with such a large volume of infections among children, “even with a low level of rate of infection, you’re going to still see a lot more children who get hospitalized.” Following up on his second point, Fauci offered that “if a child goes … [Read more...]

Churches celebrate baptisms to end 2021

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LEESVILLE, La. (LBM) – Several Louisiana Baptist churches ended 2021 on high notes with baptismal celebrations. CANAAN BAPTIST Vernon Baptist Association Director of Missions Morris Goins experienced the blessing of baptizing a second great-grandchild in 2021. In a moment shared by family and friends, Goins baptized Beckham Hajighassem, 10, at Canaan Baptist Church, Leesville, Dec. 5. Just two weeks earlier, Goins had the privilege of counseling him after he had accepted Christ. Goins previously baptized his great-grand[1]daughter, Kaylee Pew, at Canaan Baptist, March 28. “It’s brand new and fresh with each one I have the honor of baptizing,” Goins told the Baptist Message. “Next to my own salvation experience, it’s the greatest joy I have felt.” Hajinghassem’s baptism was number 16 for Canaan Baptist in 2021, which averages 135 in Sunday worship service. Pastor Jason Nolde said the baptism reflects the importance of discipleship. “Through the many ups and downs the last 24 months, the Lord has continued to bless Canaan and our precious community,” Nolde said. “There have been tough times, indeed, but the Lord always shows up and shows out. Seeing Brother Goins … [Read more...]

LBC leader provides statement on arrest of former employee

By Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director Steve Horn provided a statement to the Baptist Message about the arrest of former employee Perry Leon Moses. Moses, 59, and a resident of Deville, Louisiana, was booked by the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jan. 5, on three counts of molesting a juvenile victim, aged 13-16 years old. Horn said he was alerted, Jan. 3, to inappropriate sexual conduct by Moses, who had served 4.5 years as the maintenance supervisor for the Alexandria facilities of the statewide missions and ministries organization. “Within two hours, we arrived at work, confronted him with the allegation, which then led to termination of his employment,” he shared. “We later learned that authorities were investigating as to whether the employee had sexual interaction with a minor.” He subsequently was informed about the arrest. Horn said he was “heartbroken for the victim and the victim’s family” and that the LBC has offered to help the victim by providing for the services of a licensed counselor of the victim’s choice. “We are fully cooperating with law enforcement in every way possible, including their request of us not to discuss any further details until … [Read more...]

Five ‘Life Marches’ planned for Louisiana

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Thousands of Louisianians will stand “together for life” at five pro-life marches scheduled throughout the state in the coming weeks. COVID-19 pandemic concerns caused the marches to be changed to “socially-distanced” rallies in 2021. “Together for Life” is the theme for this year’s events, which will once again bring together pro-life supporters of different denominations, ages and ethnic backgrounds to declare opposition to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in 1973. The current 6-3 majority ap[1]pointed by Republicans to this highest federal court has led to speculation that Roe v. Wade could be overturned. “As the Supreme Court reconsiders the unjust decision of Roe v. Wade, we must march united in defense of every precious unborn baby with a strong commitment to support moms, both now and in a post-Roe Louisiana,” Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper told the Baptist Message. “Please march with us in 2022 and spread the word.” The Life Marches will kick off Jan. 22 with three events: -- Participants will gather for a candlelight vigil, 6 p.m., in Veterans Memorial Park at the Lake … [Read more...]

Lee Strobel to headline 2022 ECON

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer COVINGTON, La. (LBM) – Lee Strobel, an atheist-turned-Christ follower who authored the best-selling book “The Case for Christ,” will headline the 2022 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference, Jan. 24-25, at First Baptist Church, Covington. Strobel, whose message was cut short at the 2019 ECON at FBC Covington because of an area-wide power outage, said the conference is a prime way to train Louisiana Baptists to reach their community, state, nation and world for Christ. “When I was at Billy Graham’s funeral, the big question was, ‘Who’s the next Billy Graham,’” Strobel told the Baptist Message. “I don’t think it’s just one person -- I believe it’s millions of contagious Christians who are equipped, motivated, and deployed to share the Good News far and wide. That’s why this conference is so important. How can churches encourage and train their congregations to be stronger salt and brighter light in our increasingly skeptical culture? This conference is a strategic opportunity to offer ideas and proven approaches.” Strobel originally went on a search to disprove Christianity but instead found a relationship with Jesus on Nov. 8, 1981. He said apologetics is an important … [Read more...]