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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Executive Director Steve Horn, ‘Don’t give up!’

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Execu­tive Director Steve Horn, during the 2023 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 14, hosted by Franklin Avenue Bap­tist Church, New Orleans, urged messengers not to give up on their mission. “Louisiana Baptists, some are fearful that this anniversary of the Coop­erative Program comes at a time when we ought to be deciding upon a new giv­ing strategy other than the Cooperative Program,” he said. “I say, I’m not ready to give up. “I’m not ready to give up because of the 93 Louisianans dying every day in our state with no relationship to Christ,” he continued. “I’m not ready to give up because of our  International Missions force scattered across the globe. “So, I say, ‘Let’s not give up on what God has used to raise up and send out the greatest mis­sionary force known to modern Christianity.” Citing Hebrews 12:25-29, Horn reminded messengers of several ways to respond as recipients of a Kingdom that never can be shaken: let their worship go up by praising God, in public actions and in personal actions; let the Word of God come into their lives by paying attention to their spiritual leaders, Jesus and teachings of … [Read more...]

Attorney with Louisiana Baptist ties files amicus brief in McRaney v. NAMB, with SBC VIP signers

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – Attorney Michelle Stratton filed an amicus brief, Nov. 7, with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in the ongoing lawsuit of McRaney v. NAMB on behalf of “current and former Baptist leaders” in response to “a profound misunderstanding of Baptist polity” that she argues led to the dismissal of the case by Judge Glen H. Davidson of the U.S. District Court in Northern Mississippi. LOUISIANA BAPTIST TIES Stratton is the former Michelle Shamblin who graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana College (2006) and summa cum laude from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center (2009), according to her online profile. Additionally, she clerked for the Honorable Edith Jones of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (2009-2010); served as a Bristow Fellow in the Office of the Solicitor General of the United States (2010-2011); and was a law clerk to Associate Justice Clarence Thomas with the U.S. Supreme Court (2011-2012). She is a partner with Smyser, Kaplan and Veselka, which is described by various law websites as a Houston-based “litigation boutique” that enjoys a “big trial firm reputation” from its success in complex civil and criminal … [Read more...]

LCU honors legacy of Martins with historical marker

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Christian University honored the legacy of Norman and Lorraine Martin with the unveiling of a historical marker, Nov. 9, in front of the center named after the couple. During a special ceremony in front of the Martin Performing Arts Center, LCU President Rick Brewer thanked the Martins, and Robert Lynn, who was president of Louisiana College (now LCU) from 1977-1997, for the vision to make the building possible. The Martins donated funds in 1992 to build the facility that contains a theatre, television studio, radio station, and media lab, in addition to classrooms and office space. “It is just a highlight of your year, knowing the vision they had along with President Lynn in the early 90s lives on and is producing tremendous fruit,” Brewer said. “It’s another reminder of what Jesus said about the treasures that we plant and invest in here for the Kingdom will bear fruit here and through eternity. And for them to include Colossians 3:17, as the focal passage on this marker, just reinforces what we believe is really the heart and soul of Louisiana Christian University.” The Martins were married for 69 years, until Norman’s death in 2020. … [Read more...]

Resolutions Committee adopts two more resolutions

By Baptist Message staff NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – The Louisiana Baptist Convention Resolutions Committee has released two additional resolutions for messengers to consider as consensus statements of belief during the 2023 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 14, hosted by the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans: -- RESOLUTION 6: ON PREVENTING MAIL-ORDER ABORTIFACIENTS addresses the spike in the amount of mifepristone being shipped into Louisiana after the ban on abortions went into effect in 2022 and shut down the three abortion mills in the state. -- RESOLUTION 7: ON CONGRATULATING U.S. CONGRESSMAN MIKE JOHNSON celebrates a fellow Louisiana Baptist who was elected speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; and it asks Louisiana Baptists to commit to pray for him “as he seeks to lead the nation and follow God.” Both were adopted on 9-0 votes. These will be added to the five resolutions which resulted from the committee’s Sept. 21 meeting in Alexandria: -- RESOLUTION 1: ON PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES responds to attempts by liberal activists to undermine parental authority in raising a child according to the parents’ values and traditions, as well as moral, ethical and religious … [Read more...]

Early voting though Nov. 11

BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) -- Early voting for the General Election continues through Nov. 11 (excluding Friday, Nov. 10 for Veterans Day) and polls will be open from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. If voters prefer to vote on Saturday, Nov. 18, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Voters must show one of the following picture identifications in order to vote: a driver's license; a Louisiana Special ID; LA Wallet digital driver's license; a United States military identification card that contains your name and picture; or some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature. … [Read more...]

LCU resolution condemns attacks against Israel, demands release of hostages

Please find the resolution adopted by the president, faculty, and staff of LCU below: RESOLUTION OF THE PRESIDENT, FACULTY, AND STAFF OF LOUISIANA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY WHEREAS, We, the President, Faculty, and Staff of Louisiana Christian University watched in horror at the atrocities and barbaric acts inflicted on the people of Israel by terror on October 7, 2023, and WHEREAS, man is the special creation of God, made in His own image (Genesis 1:26–30). Furthermore, Christ died for all humanity (2 Corinthians 5:15), who were created in His image, adding infinite value and dignity to every person of every race, gender, and age, and  WHEREAS, the Scriptures clearly teach that it is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all people through the Spirit of Christ and in accordance with the teachings of Christ (Matthew 5:9, 38–48; 26:52; Romans 12:18–19; 14:19; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 3:10–12), and WHEREAS, we believe that the only remedy for evil in this world is the transforming grace that comes through the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 15:11; Romans 5:15–17; 12:21; Galatians 1:3–4), and WHEREAS, The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the Council for Higher Education in Israel, and the Israel Science … [Read more...]

Values & Ethics Series addresses today’s popular media effects

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Actress Kayce Clark encouraged Louisiana Christian University students during the 8th Annual Values & Ethics Series, Nov. 2, to use television and other social media that will positively change their minds. “Where there is light, there cannot be darkness,” Clark said. “Unfortunately, today in our media and entertainment landscape, there is no question that what would be considered the darkest fringes of the entertainment industry from decades past has become mainstream. It goes beyond even that. Today, Satan himself has stepped into the spot. That may sound dramatic. But it's true.” Clark, a 2004 alumna with a degree in theatre arts, is the advocacy director for Reflective Media Productions, a company dedicated to creating media resources that promote mental and spiritual wellness. Clark said she once worked in the mainstream media, but it was affecting her negatively. “I worked in the industry for about 15 years professionally, and I loved it, and it was tearing me apart,” she said. “I was no longer having the joy that I had before because I had to choose. I was either a Christian or a performer. There was no middle ground.” After much prayer, Clark said the Lord began … [Read more...]

LCU to unveil MPAC marker Nov. 9

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University will honor the legacy that Norman and Lorraine Martin created on campus with the unveiling of a historical marker in front of the Martin Performing Arts Center, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. The Martins in 1992 donated the funds for this theater arts building, which contains a theatre, television studio, radio station, and media lab, in addition to classrooms and office space. “The University is eternally grateful for the support of Lorraine and Norman Martin,” said LCU President Rick Brewer. “The Martin Performing Arts Center houses some of our most creative academic offerings and is well-used by our faculty and students. The vision Mr. and Mrs. Martin and President and Mrs. Lynn had for the construction of the Performing Arts Center in the early ‘90s continues to live on in the hundreds of students who have been part of the transformational academic experience of theater and media arts at Louisiana Christian University for the past 30 years.” Robert L. Lynn was president of Louisiana College from 1975 through 1997. Norman and Lorraine Martin were married for 69 years, until his death in 2020. They spent their lives giving back to the community they so deeply … [Read more...]

Gómez to be LBC 2VP nominee

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Geovany Gómez, pastor of the Iglesia Bautista La Viña in Kenner, will be nominated for the office of second vice president with the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2023 annual meeting of church messengers. Jack Hunter, executive director of the New Orleans Baptist Association, contacted the Baptist Message, Nov. 1, to share that he was going to “gladly” nominate Gómez “who proclaims the Word of God with conviction, ministers it with compassion, and cares for his flock as one who will give an account for each and every soul to the great Shepherd of His Church.” The yearly gathering of Louisiana Baptists is scheduled to be held in the facilities of the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, Nov. 14. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT Hunter said Gómez has been blessed to be nurtured as a leader to serve locally and beyond. “His pastorate has been influenced by wise and godly undershepherds, his mentors, and a fellowship of pastors who have encouraged and supported him in his calling,” Hunter explained. “In turn, he is fully committed to our local Hispanic Pastors' Fellowship, the New Orleans Baptist Association, the Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]