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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Rapides Parish School District files federal lawsuit to overturn Title IX changes

By Alliance Defending Freedom ALEXANDRIA, La. (ADF) – On behalf of the Rapides Parish School Board, serving more than 20,000 students, Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed a federal lawsuit April 30 against the Biden administration for what they described as unlawfully rewriting Title IX. Louisiana House Speaker Pro-Tempore Mike Johnson began preparations to file a lawsuit during the summer of 2023, when he heard of possible federal rule changes. In October, he began working with ADF to file the lawsuit as soon as the revisions were enacted. "Our children are our most precious gift from God and our responsibility is to protect them," Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church, Pineville, told the Baptist Message. "This rule change is a direct threat upon our youth and particularly our girls. It presents a danger and a threat to their rights under Title IX and an assault on our values and norms cannot stand." On April 19, the Biden administration announced it would redefine “sex” in Title IX rules to include “gender identity,” requiring schools to ignore the biological distinction between male and female in favor of “an individual’s sense of their gender.” According to ADF, the Department of Education’s … [Read more...]

Louisiana, Rapides Parish sue to stop Biden administration’s ‘radical’ Title IX revisions

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – During a press conference held April 29 in the Capitol, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry introduced the state’s Attorney General Liz Murrill who announced that her office had filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration for rule changes that she said “eviscerate Title IX,” referring to a landmark civil rights law that is best known for the protections it provided women in any school or education program that receives federal funds. “So, here are some of the consequences of the rule,” she explained: -- “Boys and girls will be forced to share bathrooms, locker rooms and perhaps lodging on overnight field trips with members of the opposite sex. -- “They'll be forced to use the preferred pronouns or face punishment. It raises distinct free speech and free exercise problems. -- “Parents may never hear about unapproved, so-called gender-affirming counseling that their children receive, because the rule allows the school to conceal that information from parents in certain circumstances. -- “Teachers and other school administrators are forced to create and carry out employee training programs on the 423-page rule to change school policies and begin … [Read more...]

May we be a nation of prayer

By Steve Horn ALEXANDRIA, La. - Tomorrow is National Day of Prayer. As we approach this day, I am grateful for all of the prayer gatherings that will happen across the United States of America. However, let me remind us that a day of prayer is not enough. We need to be a nation of prayer, not just have a National Day of Prayer. In the Book of Acts, people are said to be praying 31 times. Of these 31 times … 14 times an individual is said to be praying. 2 times two or more people in a small group are said to be praying. 15 times it is the church gathered in prayer. Half of the references to praying in the book of Acts are references to corporate praying! We see in Acts that there were appointed times and places for prayer. We see that the church prayed for power, wisdom, boldness to share Christ, in times of crisis, for missionaries, for pastors, and for each other. When the Early Church encountered a crisis, they didn’t pout, panic, protest, sign a petition, or organize a boycott. Instead, they prayed. Bob Russell, retired pastor of Southeast Bible Church in Louisville, KY, recounts the story of how his church once bought the building next door to the leading abortion clinic in Kentucky. They did some crisis … [Read more...]

Blanchard chainsaw team comforts community after storm

By Baptist Message staff BLANCHARD, La. (LBM) – Members of the chainsaw team at First Baptist Church, Blanchard, recently to serve and to share Jesus in the aftermath of an April 28 storm. During one of their stops, the team ministered to a widow who not only had a tree blocking her driveway but had lost her husband in January and her son a month before. In the end, the team left the house “feeling more blessed than we ever thought that we could have been a blessing to her,” according to Craig Bond, unit director for the chainsaw team and task force leader for the Louisiana Baptist Incident Management Team. “She had already received one quote earlier in the morning for a significant amount that she could not afford, and others were circulating through the area handing out cards,” Bond told the Baptist Message. “I told her what we were there to do, and it was going to be no charge to her, just let us handle it. She immediately began to cry, and hugged me, thanking me and saying that she had been standing out there praying for some kind of answer. I told her we were there to bring her hope.” The team also helped a fellow church member remove a large limb hanging from a tree that posed danger to the homeowner and the … [Read more...]

New ministry center to train fishers of men on Toledo Bend

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ZWOLLE, La. (LBM) – Staff and supporters of Toledo Bend Resort Ministry recently celebrated the dedication and grand opening of a new 4,000-sq.-ft. meeting facility that will allow others not only to grow in their relationship with Christ, but become better equipped to share the Gospel in the area and beyond. Toledo Bend Resort Ministry Director Mary Gore said the new building replaced a meeting facility used since it was built in the early 1970’s. “Just as many of us have dedicated our lives to making Christ known to others, now others can also have that personal relationship with Jesus that you and I enjoy,” Gore told the crowd during the April 28 celebration. “It is for this reason this building was built and is now being dedicated to God and for His service. My prayer is that many will be trained and sent out from this place to share the love of Jesus with individuals and families.” Jerry Crooks, who previously served on the board for 18 years, shared that the resort has been reaching others with the Gospel since its establishment in 1971 on the east side of Toledo Bend Lake in Sabine Parish. The ministry center has seen many souls added to the Kingdom through the … [Read more...]

Louisianans prepare for National Day of Prayer

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists will gather at churches and other venues across the state, May 2, with the single purpose of calling out to God as part of the National Day of Prayer. Tom Harrison, coordinator for the Louisiana National Day of Prayer Task Force, is anticipating a mighty movement of God throughout the state on this special day. “The mission of the National Day of Payer is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Harrison, executive pastor of the Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport. “We try to unify the public for prayer for the United States of America.” This year’s National Day of Prayer theme is “Life up the word – light up the world,” based on 2 Samuel 22:29-21. “For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God — his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.” According to the National Day of Prayer websites, numerous events are planned throughout the state including: Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia, 7-8 a.m. Monroe City Hall, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. First Baptist Church, Sterlington, 11 a.m.-2 … [Read more...]

Greek professor connects with students in class and on course

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Disc golf is Greek to Justin Langford. Of course, Langford has a doctorate in Greek. Langford, dean of the School of Ministry and Performing Arts, started teaching at Louisiana Christian University in 2013. He also started playing disc golf that same year when a student introduced him to it. He fell in love with the school and the sport. “When Dr. Langford came my senior year we convinced him to come and play with us one day,” said LCU alumnus Parker Pearson. “He loved it and was hooked. He came and played many more times that year, and honestly we all thought he was the coolest guy for coming.” Pearson, who is now the director of student activities with Grace Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, is the alum whose LCU’s disc golf course Pearson Park is named for because he worked to establish the course his senior year in 2014. Pearson said it was an honor he wasn’t expecting — and it should probably be renamed the Langford-Pickard course now because both Langford and history professor Scott Pickard can beat him any day. “Out of all the professors I have had, both in my undergraduate and my master’s, none have had as great an impact on my life as Dr. … [Read more...]

McGee returns to LCU as development, alumni director

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University has welcomed back Byron McGee as director of development and alumni. McGee retired at the end of 2018 after a 35-year career at the university, having worked in the admissions office and alumni relations, and concluding his tenure as vice president for institutional advancement. McGee is also a 1979 graduate of the college. “I love the college,” said McGee, a 1979 graduate of college. “I always have. The school took me, a country boy from Oakdale, and helped me understand higher education. The progression of what the school did for me and has done for so many others, it can do for so many others.” McGee said he feels honored and humbled by the university for reaching out to him to assist during this time of transition. He added that his first order of business will be to reconnect with the community and alumni. “My hope is that I can help facilitate things during this period and help the new administration get off to a good start,” he said. Rick Brewer, who served as the university’s 9th president since February 2015, retired earlier this month. Executive Vice President David Jeffreys is currently serving as acting … [Read more...]

LCU recognizes Dean’s, President’s List recipients

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University recently announced students who earned placement on the Dean’s and President’s List for the fall 2023 semester. The students were recognized in a ceremony, April 16, in which they were thanked their parents, along with faculty and staff who supported them in their academic pursuits. “We rejoice in the academic achievements of our students,” said Acting President David Jeffreys. “And we appreciate the students who recognize their parents’ contributions to their success, as well as the gratitude they give the LCU faculty and staff.” The Dean’s/President’s List ceremony is an annual event at LCU. It includes students who have earned a minimum of 12 hours in the designated semester with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 and no grade below a “C”: Zoi Akrivaki Thessaloniki, Greece Adrian Navarro Alicante, Spain Ja’Kaylib Anderson Lafayette Kaitlyn Antilley Coushatta Payton Arcement Katy, Texas Alex Archield Deridder Micah Ardizzone Lake … [Read more...]