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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

‘Nobody cares!’

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) —“Nobody cares what’s happening to the Uyghurs, okay? You bring it up because you really care, and I think that’s nice that you care. The rest of us don’t care.” This appalling statement was made by Silicon Valley billionaire Chamath Palihapitiya, founder of Social Capital and a former America OnLine executive, during his podcast on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He also is part owner of the Warriors franchise of the NBA. Meanwhile, the ethnic-minority Uyghurs, a mostly Muslim population in Xinjiang Province, are suffering untold horrors at the hands of China’s Communist government. According to multiple news reports, the Uyghurs are experiencing: – slave labor (more than half a million Uyghurs are used to hand pick cotton) -- forced contraception, forced abortions, forced sterilizations (China acknowledged a 60 percent drop in the region’s birth rate, 2015-2018, and another 24 percent decline in 2019, but denies forced sterilization; instead, officials claim women are being given gender equality to work in factories, etc.) -- imprisonment (1-3 million men, women and children are being held in concentration camps that China claims are voluntary … [Read more...]

Life-changing decision: Woman chooses life, finds hope at CENLA Pregnancy Center

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Miranda Underwood walked into the CENLA Pregnancy Center scared and in denial that she was pregnant. But she walked out with hope and a life-giving mindset. “The first day I found out I was pregnant, abortion crossed my mind, but I knew it was never the right thing to do,” Underwood told the Baptist Message. “When I walked into the CENLA Pregnancy Center, I was at the darkest moment in my life. But when I left, I knew it would be the greatest moment and everything would be okay.” DISCOVERING HOPE Underwood was told by others that she would struggle to succeed as a single mother. Unsure where to turn, she reached out to family members, who referred her to the CENLA Pregnancy Center. She said the February 2020 visit changed her life. The staff encouraged her and gave her a journal entitled “Hope.” Importantly, they shared a photo of baby Phaelyn that was taken by ultrasound; and she realized at that moment everything would be okay. “It was a sign from God that this was meant to be,” she said. “Everything happens for a reason. “I appreciate what each lady has done, from the smiles to being very sweet to being there for me in my most … [Read more...]

A roadmap for peace in 2022

By Steve Horn ALEXANDRIA, La. - Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. (Job 1:21 NIV) Perhaps you have seen the meme that says, “Have you realized that 2022 is pronounced 2020 Too?” Unfortunately, the early days of 2022 seem like a repeat of what we have experienced over 2020 and 2021. Job’s story doesn’t lend itself to New Year optimism. Or does it? Though Job experienced much pain, he also exhibited unfathomable peace. It is with incredible peace that: Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then, he fell to the ground in worship and said: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. (Job 1:20-21 NIV) Where did that incredible peace come from in Job’s life? And, can we have that same kind of peace? Let me note three things about Job. He lived on purpose. Job 1:1 reveals that Job was “blameless and upright” and “feared God and shunned evil.” Peace comes when the purpose of life is summed up with the words “fear God.” He lived in praise. Job fell to the ground “in worship.” What an incredible … [Read more...]

LCU accreditation reaffirmed with no findings of noncompliance

By Elizabeth Clarke PINEVILLE, La. (LC news) – Louisiana Christian University has received full reaffirmation of accreditation with no findings of noncompliance in its regular 10-year review. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, LCU’s accrediting body, officially notified the university in December of the reaffirmation with no additional report necessary. The next reaffirmation will be in 2031. “Reaffirmation of a university’s accreditation by its regional accreditation entity is emblematic of a Board, administration and faculty dedicated to a culture of strategic planning and assessment,” LCU President Rick Brewer said. “Such is clearly the case at Louisiana Christian University. It has been my experience working at SACSCOC-accredited institutions for over 35 years that the reaffirmation process strengthens and benefits the institution’s key constituents in terms of quality and academic excellence. I am especially grateful for the diligent efforts of our faculty particularly our Provost and (Vice President for Academic Affairs) Dr. Cheryl Clark for committing time and energy to ensuring the reaffirmation process was a success for the University family.“ All institutions accredited … [Read more...]