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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

SBC CP dips in May, remains down for FY23

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee released the May 2023 financial report, June 6, showing that gifts to SBC causes through the Cooperative Program dipped 0.95 percent while designated giving for the month was up 2.94 percent compared to May 2022. Meanwhile, year-to-date figures showed both funding channels were under 2022 levels. From October 1, 2022, through May 31, 2023, CP contributions were 5.75 percent lower compared to the same timeframe for the last fiscal year. Likewise, designated giving was 4.10 percent less for the same months. Both the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering were down for the year. LBC CP The national report showed giving by Louisiana Baptists to SBC causes in May climbed 8.95 percent through CP and surged 14.33 percent for special offerings. Likewise, the year-to-date data showed Louisiana Baptist contributions through the CP and to designated offerings trended higher for both funding channels, 2.54 percent, and 9.84 percent, respectively. … [Read more...]

‘Stop Harming Our Kids Act’ passes Senate with supermajority, heads to governor’s desk

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – The “Stop Harming Our Kids Act," which prevents doctors and therapists from performing irreversible transgender procedures on minors who are incapable of giving informed consent, passed the Louisiana Senate, June 5, by a vote of 29-10 (eclipsing an earlier Senate supermajority), giving it final passage in the legislature and sending it to Gov. John Bel Edwards’s desk. SHOWDOWN The bill, HB 648, by Rep. Gabe Firment, a deacon with the First Baptist Church, Pollock, now faces a showdown with the governor, who actively lobbied to successfully kill the bill, 5-4, in the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, May 24, after the measure had sailed through the House Committee on Health and Welfare, 14-3, May 4, and on the House floor, 71-24 (a supermajority), May 16. The 29 favorable votes on June 5 were a pickup of three supporters since the Senate voted 26-12 (one absence) --  a supermajority -- on June 1. That vote removed responsibility for hearing the bill from the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare (which had tanked the legislation), and transferred it to the Senate Committee on Judiciary A, which favorably considered it (4-0, with three … [Read more...]

Lawmakers rally to revive ‘Stop Harming Our Kids Act’

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – On June 1, 26 Louisiana lawmakers rallied on the Senate floor to resurrect HB 648, the “Stop Harming Our Kids Act,” by Rep. Gabe Firment, a deacon with First Baptist Church, Pollock. The bill protects underage children (who are not capable of giving informed consent) against irreversible chemical and surgical transgender procedures. The special legislative procedure was necessary after Gov. John Bel Edwards, according to NOLA.com, “whipped members of the [Senate] Health and Welfare Committee to vote against the bill [5-4] in the hours before the hearing," on May 24. BACKGROUND Before the May 24 interference by the governor, HB 648 had sailed through the legislative process on the House side with overwhelming support. After the special Senate action on June 1, HB 648 was recalled from the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, essentially discharging them of responsibility for the bill, and then recommitted, or transferred, to the Senate Committee on Judiciary A for another hearing. On June 2, Judiciary A voted to favorably report HB 648, without objections from the four members who were present (three Democrats boycotted the vote), back to the … [Read more...]

Baptism to discipleship

By Steve Horn ALEXANDRIA, La. - Some years ago, I was on a follow-up visit with a friend, and we were visiting a gentleman who had recently prayed to receive Christ. The man had not yet been baptized, and we were going to talk with him about doing so. … [Read more...]

Louisiana legislature recognizes June as Sanctity of Preborn Life Month

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana legislature, during its May 25 session, approved a resolution that designates June as Sanctity of Preborn Life Month in the state. The resolution, which praises Louisiana Baptists’ role in the pro-life movement, notes “the Bible affirms that the preborn child is a person, bearing the image of God, from the moment of conception” and commends “the churches and individuals who worked tirelessly to cultivate a pro-life culture in our state through prayer, spiritual health and growth of our citizenry regarding pro-life matters, and public policy action including the overwhelming passage of the 2020 constitutional amendment, the Love Life Amendment.” Rep. Dodie Horton, member of First Baptist Church, Haughton, said she was honored to co-author the resolution with Rep. Valerie Hodges on behalf of Louisiana Baptists. “The majority of Louisiana citizens believe life begins at conception, and consistently support our pro-life laws,” Horton told the Baptist Message. “Although we celebrate the Sanctity of the Preborn Life each and every day, designating June as the month to celebrate the lives of our preborn is a sign of our commitment to never allow innocent lives to … [Read more...]

UK’s foremost expert: Gender ideology is ‘a cult belief’

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor CORRECTED JUNE 10 TO CLARIFY INFORMATION ABOUT DR. AZ HAKEEM IN PARAGRAPH FOUR.   BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – In a stunning interview on Louisiana Public Broadcasting, Dr. Az Hakeem, who was identified as “the only psychiatrist in the UK to specialize in working psychotherapeutically with gender dysphoria patients, which he has done for 23 years,” declared, “Gender ideology is made up. It’s a social construct. It’s a cult belief.” The interview was conducted, May 12, by André Moreau, an Emmy-winning journalist who anchors the half-hour LPB television newsmagazine “Louisiana: The State We’re In.” Moreau only asked two questions during the six-minute segment, inquiring about what had prompted the change in numbers of children who were transitioning, and what the statistics about transitioning procedures looked like. TRUTH Hakeem, whose testimony helped catalyze the National Health Service of England to commission the Cass Review which advises the country’s medical community about the transgender crisis in the country, said the surge is “a current form of youth subculture, you know, like punks and goths.” “The worst thing we can do is presume it’s a medical condition,” … [Read more...]

Louisiana lawmakers reject protections for vulnerable children

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana Senate Committee on Health and Welfare voted 5-4, May 24, to reject HB 648, the “Stop Harming Our Kids Act,” thereby defeating a bill that would have prevented children under the age of 18 years old from being subjected to chemical castration and other permanent procedures related to transgender transitioning. The bill specifically would have prohibited “healthcare professionals from knowingly committing any of the following acts that attempt to alter a minor’s appearance in an attempt to validate a minor’s perception of his sex if the minor’s perception is inconsistent with his biological sex.” The banned procedures would have included hormone blockers, “prescription or administration of testosterone, estrogen, or progesterone,” and sex reassignment surgeries. Another key provision in the "Stop Harming Our Kids Act" would have allowed children who were subjected to chemical or surgical transitioning to file lawsuits against the doctors and therapists who approved or performed such procedures. Moreover, the children’s right to sue would have extended until they reached the age of 30 years old. GLOBALLY The controversy is international. After … [Read more...]

LBCHFM to open regional compassion center

By LBCHFM Staff MONROE, La. (LBCHFM) – The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries has announced the construction of The Compassion Center that will help provide the hope of Christ for children and families in one of the state’s poorest regions. Approved by LBCHFM trustees during their May 12, 2023, meeting, the 15,000-sq.-ft. facility will be located on its Monroe campus and could impact 25,000-50,000 children and their families annually. According to the 2020 U.S. Census American Community Survey, 34.9 percent of Monroe residents live at the poverty level. “There is a desperate need for this type of regional ministry where hope-centered services are provided to children and families in need,” LBCHFM President and CEO Perry Hancock said. “I am grateful for our trustees who are ready to launch this exciting new ministry opportunity.” Compassion for Kids, a LBCHFM ministry, will operate the Compassion Center. The regional center will provide weekend food backpacks and school supplies for children, a baby store for infants and toddlers and support for foster care families. The center also will provide space for a mission church that could provide Bible studies at the facility and resources for existing … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Doyle Adams celebrated his 65th anniversary in the Gospel ministry April 27, 2023. He is pastor at Bethany Baptist Church, Columbia. Jack Bell has resigned as pastor at First Baptist Church, Hornbeck to accept the position of assistant coordinator at District Eight Missions and Ministries. Eric, wife Jeanette, Green is the new pastor at Bayou Vista Baptist Church, Morgan City. Dusty C. Durbin is the associational mission strategist at the Evangeline Baptist Association. Matthew White is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Amite. n Michael Wilkes will become the pastor of Grace Covenant Church, Denham Springs, with the merger of New Covenant Church, Denham Springs, and the Oaks Church, Denham Springs. John Brown is the new pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, Slidell. n Ryan Spinks is the new … [Read more...]

SBC Serve Tour, Crossover seek soul winners

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists still have time to sign up to participate in a pair of evangelistic efforts preceding the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, which is scheduled for June 13-14 in New Orleans. The “Serve Tour,” an effort that seeks to involve participants in compassion ministry projects in Houma and New Orleans as the foundation for evangelism, will take place June 9-10. A celebration rally will be held June 10 at First Baptist Church, New Orleans, with a red beans and rice meal prepared by Disaster Relief team members at 5 p.m. and rally at 6 p.m. After the rally, Café Du Monde will serve beignets and coffee. Additionally, “Crossover,” a large-scale evangelistic effort, will take place in Bayou Baptist Association, New Orleans Baptist Association and North Shore Baptist Association, June 10. The “Serve Tour” and “Crossover” weekend will wrap up with a Harvest Sunday, June 11. Churches in these areas will be encouraged to utilize evangelists to fill the pulpit that day. According to North American Mission Board Send Relief National Project Director Sammy Simmons, 740 individuals from 58 churches (including 18 from Louisiana) have … [Read more...]