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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

NOBTS apologetics program receives $850,000 gift

By Staff NEW ORLEANS, La. (NOBTS) - A recent gift to the apologetics program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College will expand its work in equipping believers to defend the faith. The donation of $850,000 comes from the Milburn and Nancy Calhoun Foundation and from the Calhoun children, Kathleen Calhoun Nettleton, who passed away earlier this year, and David Calhoun, a professor of philosophy at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, and a frequent speaker at the yearly NOBTS apologetics conference, Defend. David Calhoun pointed to his parents’ legacy of service and commitment to Christ as the inspiration for the gift. “My Dad was the first in his family to go to college. He knew the value of an education, specifically theological education,” David Calhoun said. “That grew out of his sense of the importance of training the next generation, and the next generation of pastors and leaders in the church.” Milburn Calhoun was a medical doctor and a publisher. New Orleans’ Pelican Publishing Company was owned and operated by the Calhoun family for many years. Taking on the role of publisher while working full-time as a family practitioner was a natural fit with his father’s love of reading and … [Read more...]

Letlow encourages March for Life participants to advocate, pray, fight for life

By Baptist Message staff WASHINGTON, D.C. (LBM) - Tens of thousands of pro-life supporters descended upon the nation’s capitol to show their support for the unborn during the 49th annual national March for Life, Friday, Jan. 21. “As we stand one step closer to saving the unborn, I encourage you keep marching,” U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, who represents Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District, told the estimated 150,000 marchers in Washington, D. C. “Keep advocating. Keep praying. Keep fighting. Because ultimately we will prevail.” She was optimistic an upcoming ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson which presently is before the Supreme Court could overturn or gut Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark ruling that legalized abortion in the U.S. The annual march brought together pro-life supporters of different denominations, ages and ethnic backgrounds to declare opposition to Roe v. Wade. The current 6-3 majority appointed by Republicans to this highest federal court has led to speculation that Roe v. Wade could be overturned. In Louisiana, four marches were held over the weekend: Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and Shreveport-Bossier City (Jan. 22) and Monroe-West Monroe (Jan. 23). A final march is scheduled Feb. 5, beginning at 10 a.m., … [Read more...]

Chilly weather fails to cool off Louisiana, national life marches

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) - Despite subfreezing temperatures, more than 3,100 Louisiana residents came out to march for life in four communities Jan. 22-23. According to Louisiana Right to Life Director of Outreach officials, a crowd of 1,000 gathered in Baton Rouge and also in Monroe/West Monroe, 650 in Shreveport and another 500 in Lake Charles. A final march is scheduled Feb. 5, beginning at 10 a.m., on the campus of Louisiana Christian University and ending at the riverfront in Pineville. “Our last march will be in Pineville on Feb 5, so I am calling on my Louisiana Baptist family and all other pro-life people to join us as we stand together for an end to abortion,” said Brian Gunter, Louisiana Right to Life outreach director and also pastor of First Baptist Church, Pollock. The marches come a year after COVID-related safety concerns altered the 2021 marches to a one-day socially distanced life chain event. During the 2020 marches, a crowd of 2,500 gathered in Shreveport Jan. 19; 500 in Lake Charles Jan. 22; 1,500 marched in Baton Rouge Jan. 25; 2,500 participated in Monroe/West Monroe Jan. 26; and 4,000 rallied in Alexandria/Pineville Feb. 1. In addition to the Louisiana Life Marches, Students for … [Read more...]