May 23, 2019 Volume 134 l Issue No. 10 TO REPORT A NEWS ITEM OR TO BUY AN AD, CALL 877.234.3832 www.baptistmessage.com Curiosity leads to life discovery IT’S UNANIMOUS at Mandeville Horn elected new By Brian Blackwell Message Staff Writer executive director MANDEVILLE – Although it had been 16 years since he had to lead La. Baptists visited any church, David Cooley’s curiosity about the Gospel was By Staff piqued the moment in early Janu- Louisiana Baptist Message ary that he stepped inside the First Baptist Church of Mandev- WOODWORTH (LBM) – The ille. Louisiana Baptist Convention Ex- A mere month later, he ex- ecutive Board voted unanimously pressed his newfound hope in May 7 to elect Steve Horn as the Christ after hearing the Gospel 19th executive director of the shared: by his wife; at a Life organization during the entity’s Group class; during a men’s con- spring meeting at the Tall Tim- ference; and, as a personal appeal bers Baptist Conference Center in from interim Pastor Jake Roud- Woodworth. kovski, who also serves as profes- There are 86 members on the sor of evangelism and pastoral Executive Board, and all 65 in at- leadership at New Orleans Baptist tendance voted for Horn. Brian Blackwell photo Theological Seminary. He was nominated by a search Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board President Waylon Bailey, pastor of First Bap- Cooley did not wait long to committee comprised of board tist Church, Covington, introduced newly-elected Executive Director Steve Horn and his show obedience to God’s call to members led by Waylon Bailey, wife, Linett at the annual spring board meeting at Tall Timbers Conference Center. be baptized, stepping into the president of the Executive Board baptistery March 20 to publicly and the senior pastor of the First cal Seminary and has watched declare Jesus as Lord. Baptist Church in Covington. Steve Horn - My Hopes him grow as a Christ follower, “My baptism was refreshing,” Horn will succeed David Steve Horn shares his vision pastor and leader. Cooley told the Baptist Message. Hankins, who retires as executive for his new ministry among “By way of the churches Dr. “It sealed the deal for my com- director June 30. Louisiana Baptists, page 5. Horn has served, leadership mitment to Christ and showed “I am honored and humbled positions and life experiences, I everyone that I was new in the to be selected to lead Louisiana for their salvation.’” believe he is uniquely prepared Lord.” Baptists in our cooperative ef- “Dr. Steve Horn is uniquely to serve as executive director for Since January, First Baptist forts at this crucial time,” Horn qualified and equipped to lead Louisiana Baptists,” Wren said. Mandeville has baptized 17 new said. “I want to thank the search Louisiana Baptists at this time,’ “I look forward to what God believers, eclipsing the pace of committee and entire Executive Bailey told the Baptist Message. will do in and through Dr. Horn. baptisms (5) for this same time- Board for their confidence in me. “The search committee feels And I thank God for the privi- frame last year and on track to I look forward to earning the strongly that God has provided lege of serving with him.” surpass the 27 baptisms of 2018. trust of all Louisiana Baptists. I for us a leader ‘for such a time as Horn has served as pastor Roudkovski said members am ready to go to work listening this.’” of the First Baptist Church in have embraced the need to share and learning. LBC President Eddie Wren, Lafayette since 2005, and before the Gospel with their friends, “My prayer for Louisiana is as senior pastor of the First Baptist that led three other Louisiana family and co-workers. the Apostle Paul said about his Church in Rayville, has known congregations: New Haven Bap- Throughout the year, members people – ‘My heart’s desire and Horn since they were classmates prayer to God concerning them is at New Orleans Baptist Theologi- See UNANIMOUS, page 5 See MANDEVILLE, page 4 Louisiana Baptist evangelists suffer strokes By Staff fered strokes, with the two many people since her Louisiana Baptist Message Louisiana Baptist evange- husband’s medical emer- lists falling ill within days gency, and added that he is ALEXANDRIA (LBM) of each other. beginning rehabilitation at -- Lyndon Longoria, of Longoria’s wife, Kerry, Rayburn Health & Rehab DeRidder, and Joe Aulds, posted that they received of Ruston, recently suf- encouragement from See EVANGELISTS, page 8 2 Louisiana News Mizell leads Senate defeat of ERA ratifi cation By Will Hall THE BACKGROUND islatures rescinded zero. said. “ us the ERA forces Message Editor their previous Moreover, citizens in New Mexico In 1972 the U.S. Con- ratifi cations. groups have ex- to fund abortions through BATON ROUGE gress sent the ERA to Since then the panded the original their tax dollars.” (LBM) – Sen. Beth the states for ratifi cation, legislatures of Ne- statement in the Mizell also pointed to Mizell, a member of the needing 38 legislatures to vada (2017) and Illi- ERA, “Equality of “something very similar” First Baptist Church in pass the measure “within nois (2018) ratifi ed rights under the in Connecticut. Franklinton, helped to seven years of its submis- the ERA, reviving law shall not be “ is is just one aspect. defeat ratifi cation of the sion by the Congress,” but legal discussions denied or abridged ere are lots of points we Equal Rights Amend- subsequently extending about whether Sen. Beth Mizell by the United could discuss,” she rea- ment, o ering a pas- the deadline to June 1982. the fi ve rescinding States or by any soned. “But I am standing sionate argument “as a e initiative fell three actions meant the State on account of here as a woman in Loui- woman, as a mother, as a states short during the e ort was actually even sex,” to claim the amend- siana that 100 years ago grandmother” from the original timeframe, and further short of the needed ment confers an absolute could not have voted, and state Senate fl oor for why then during the three- 38 states, and even if the right to abortion. Likewise, today I am a state senator.” she was voting “no” on a year extension the Idaho, expiration of the original advocates for transgender “I believe I have the bill calling for amending Kentucky, Nebraska, South deadline meant the state and gender fl uid rights right to accomplish what I the U.S. Constitution. Dakota and Tennessee leg- count started over from claim the ERA statement set out for,” Mizell stated, includes their groups. referring to the rights she enjoys now that a woman THE DEBATE did not possess then. “I really look hard at Mizell made her objec- what rights I’m lacking tions to the resolution that would allow me to do being o ered by Sen. J.P. something I can’t do right Morrell, New Orleans, now,” she said in contrast simply on “one aspect of to Morrell’s argument for the discussion,” expressing “the urgent need” to ratify specifi c concern about “the the ERA. connection with abortion “I fi nd the tradeo of in the ERA.” what this ERA amendment “In 1988, the New would allow to come into Mexico Supreme Court Louisiana does not match ruled that the ERA made ‘the bargain,’” being of- it unconstitutional for the fered she said. “So I’m ask- state Medicaid program ing you to join me today in to refuse to fund abor- voting ‘no.’ tions if procedures sought Mizell closed by clarify- by men such as prostate surgery were funded,” she See MIZELL, page 3 Insurance for Churches Since 1916 Call 318.442.0269 [email protected] www.spenglerstewart.com Lori Ardoin & Paul D. Stewart LOUISIANA ADVERTISING SUBSCRIPTIONS: CHANGE OF ADDRESS Display [boxed] and classifi ed [words only] advertising must be in writing, Individual: $14/year Two weeks before change is desired, send BAPTIST MESSAGE and may be submitted by email, U.S. mail or fax. Group rates available new address (with zip code and street address) To the best of our knowledge, all ads in the Louisiana Baptist Message Call the and mailing label from this copy of theLouisiana Will Hall, Editor Louisiana Baptist Message represent legitimate companies and offerings. However, one should always Baptist Message. Periodicals postage paid in STAFF at 318.449.4343 or 877.234.3832 Alexandria, Louisiana, and additional mailing exercise normal business caution in responding to ads. Fax: 318-445-8328 Philip Timothy Rhonda Havens Brian Blackwell offi ces. 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All rights reserved Volume 134 May 23, 2019 Number 10 May 23, 2019 www.baptistmessage.com Louisiana Baptist Message Louisiana News 3 LBC backs ‘Love Life’ state amendment By Will Hall business as a Convention. a protection for abortion House (due to some ex- court said the first sen- Message Editor Two lawmakers are in the Louisiana Constitu- planatory language added tence in the Kansas Bill of leading the statehouse tion that is not explicitly to the legislation) in order Rights, “All men are pos- ALEXANDRIA (LBM) effort to pass H.B.425 in stated.