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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

WMU expands Royal Ambassadors to include young men through 12th grade

By WMU Communications BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WMU Communications) – Boys in first grade can be a part of Royal Ambassadors and now continue their RA journey in missions discipleship through their senior year of high school. National WMU board members approved a recommendation on Jan. 13 for Royal Ambassadors to be the missions organization for boys and young men in grades 1–12 rather than just boys in grades 1–6. Challengers, which has been the name of the WMU missions organization for young men in grades 7–12, will still be used as the descriptor of those in grades 7–12 under the overall umbrella of RA. Royal Ambassadors, at its creation by WMU in 1908, was an organization for boys ages 9–17. “In the years that followed, changes were made that separated RA from older boys, which we argue negatively affected the ability of churches to seamlessly and effectively disciple older boys in missions,” said Keith Gates, ministry consultant for RA and Youth on Mission. “We are excited to bring missions discipleship for middle and high school young men back home to RA.” Gates said RA will benefit by extending its reach and making it a complete program for all boys and young men regardless of grade in school. “The church will … [Read more...]

Kennedy, Wicker introduce bill to ban taxpayer funding for abortions, codify Hyde amendment

By Office of Sen. John Kennedy WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and colleagues in reintroducing the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act. The bill would permanently stop the flow of federal funding for abortion by establishing a single, government-wide standard that bars federal tax dollars from financing abortions. “Big government is funneling Americans’ hard-earned money to the radical abortion agenda. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act would take federal dollars out of abortion procedures, respect taxpayers and help protect more unborn children,”said Kennedy. “Millions of Americans share my belief that unborn life should be protected in the womb. Using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions is wrong. My Senate Republican colleagues and I will continue fighting to preserve life,” said Wicker. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) introduced the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act in the House of Representatives. For decades, a haphazard set of policies like the Hyde Amendment have regulated federal funding for abortion. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and … [Read more...]