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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

CARES Act changes help promote charitable giving

By Jerry Love, LBF Director of Planned Giving ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - When Congress passed the CARES Act, it offered incentives to promote charitable giving that are being overlooked because of the emphasis given to the federal government’s $1,200 relief payments  to taxpayers and Payroll Protection Program forgivable loans to small businesses and nonprofits, including churches. But, the provisions relating to charitable giving are critically important to churches and other nonprofits because they encourage donors to give more. $300 AGI DEDUCTION For the 2020 tax year, filers may claim a $300 deduction for cash contributions to churches, ministry organization and other charitable organizations. This applies only to those who take the standard deduction when filing their tax returns. Those who itemize their deductions are not able to claim additional amount. There is some question as to the term of the provision, but it likely applies only to 2020 filing year (returns filed in 2021). The $300 deduction may seem like a relatively small amount, but it is an “above-the-line” deduction, meaning a taxpayer may subtract the amount from gross income to arrive at a lower “adjusted gross income” for the tax year. LIMITS … [Read more...]

Southern Baptist evangelists reach multitudes with Easter message

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)--Southern Baptist evangelists used the internet to share the Gospel message with at least 400,000 individuals during the Easter season. “Covered by the Cross” was presented via livestream on the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists’ Facebook page, April 9, and was available on-demand throughout the next three days. The special one-hour broadcast featured music plus a message by COSBE President Sammy Tippit, who co-hosted the meeting with Richard Hamlet, president and CEO of Global Ministries Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. “This was a historic moment for our evangelists and our organization,” Tippit told the Baptist Message. “We were able to present the Gospel to hundreds of thousands of people. It has opened a door for us to learn how to minister to a hurting world through the technological tools He's given us in our generation.” Tippit reported that at least 100,000 persons logged into and watched the livestream from start to finish, and that there were 400,000 views, total. But he added that there was no way to count how many additional individuals were watching each device that was logged in (families, Bible study groups, etc.). He also noted that nearly 200 U.S. … [Read more...]

Storms damage homes, airport in northern Louisiana

By Message Staff MONROE, La. (LBM)--Powerful storms produced damaging winds and hail, and spawned tornadoes to leave behind widespread destruction in Louisiana, late on Sunday, April 12. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo said in a press statement that a tornado heavily damaged more than 200-300 homes, combined, in his city, West Monroe and the rest of Ouachita Parish. The tornado also caused an estimated $30 million in damage at the Monroe Regional Airport, located just 200 yards from the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. There have been no confirmed fatalities in Louisiana. “Please cooperate with emergency responders and repair crews as they assess and repair damages,” Mayo wrote on his Facebook page. “By the grace of God, early reports show only a few minor injuries.  Please pray for our city! Many of our neighbors and friends have suffered catastrophic damage.  We are hurting; but we are not broken.  Times like this remind us WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER!  Together we are responding.  Together we will rebuild.” Monroe Regional Airport was especially hit hard, with at least one hangar collapsed on multi-engine jets stored inside, and heavy debris scattered across the runways, causing the cancellation of flights until further … [Read more...]