NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission announced Thursday (Dec. 10) it will donate a record 10 ultrasound machines to pregnancy resource centers in the next six months. The ERLC will make the donations to Gospel-focused, pro-life centers across the United States through its Psalm 139 Project, which helps purchase sonogram technology and fund the training of staff members to operate the machines. Since 2004, the ministry – which is funded by … [Read more...]
Court ruling on Medicaid funds for Planned Parenthood praised
NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Southern Baptist leaders praised a federal appeals court decision that enables states to prohibit abortion giant Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled Nov. 23 the states of Texas and Louisiana have the right to find that Planned Parenthood affiliates are unqualified to participate in their Medicaid programs. The decision also affects Mississippi, the other state within the Fifth Circuit. The opinion … [Read more...]
Court permits Tennessee to enforce disability abortion ban
NASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptist and government pro-life supporters welcomed a federal appeals court ruling that enables the state of Tennessee to enforce its ban of abortions based on disability, ethnicity or sex. The Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati reversed Friday (Nov. 20) a federal judge’s order that had blocked enforcement of the “reasons ban,” as it is known. The measure – which prohibits an abortion when a doctor knows the request for the procedure is driven by … [Read more...]
Pastoral care restored in Mo. nursing homes
New CMS guidelines see ministers as ‘essential’ for health of residents JEFFERSON CITY – Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities across the state and nation once again have access to their pastors, partly because of the public policy advocacy of the Missouri Baptist Convention and The Baptist Home. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updated COVID-19 restrictions, Sept. 17, expanding guidelines for compassionate care visits at long-term … [Read more...]
Is this the end of Roe v. Wade?
Missouri pro-life leaders see new hope for overturning Roe v. Wade amid Barrett’s confirmation hearing WASHINGTON – Missouri Baptist pro-life leaders have expressed hope that the United States Supreme Court will overturn its infamous 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion if Amy Coney Barrett takes a seat on the nation’s highest court. But, if Roe v. Wade is overturned, Missourians must be all the more vigilant to protect the unborn and to reach out to hurting parents and … [Read more...]
‘Suspension of rights a growing concern’
JEFFERSON CITY – In 1987, Congress passed the Nursing Home Reform Act. Until that time, senior care was largely an unregulated industry. Although some providers, such as The Baptist Home, enjoyed solid reputations for quality care, the very name of the act implied reform was necessary across the industry. The Act established the following rights for nursing home residents: 1. The right to freedom from abuse, mistreatment, and neglect; 2. The right to freedom from physical restraints; 3. … [Read more...]
Ky. court upholds wedding photographer’s liberty
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) — A court decision in support of a Kentucky photographer who declines to shoot same-sex weddings is a victory for religious freedom, advocates for the First Amendment right said. In an Aug. 14 order, federal judge Justin Walker blocked the city of Louisville from enforcing a law against Chelsey Nelson that requires her to provide her services for a same-sex ceremony if she does so for a wedding between a man and a woman. Walker’s decision enables Nelson, a Christian, … [Read more...]
‘Pro-life beyond birth’: St. Louis family mobilizes foster care, adoption
ST. LOUIS – Matthew and Leslie Creath know firsthand that following Christ may lead to foster care and adoption. “Before Leslie and I married ten years ago, we talked about adoption and foster care,” Matthew said. “We always thought that was something we’d be interested in.” They lived in Springfield and were licensed foster parents through the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH). Then they moved to St. Louis. “Our first foster child was five months old and weighed eight pounds. He … [Read more...]
MBCH celebrates 80 permanencies, moves forward with strategic plan
BRIDGETON – Trustees met via videoconference and in person – spread out across the MBCH’s chapel – for their board meeting July 28. Though they noted many challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, bright spots emerged as well. Trustees celebrated 42 permanencies in the second quarter, and 80 in 2020 thus far. They lamented a recent United Supreme Court ruling that repealed restrictions on abortion, but celebrated other rulings that affirmed religious ministries like MBCH can hire … [Read more...]
Baptist Home President advocates for the aging at Governor’s Mansion
JEFFERSON CITY – The Baptist Home President Rodney Harrison was invited to a special luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion here, July 28, for a small group discussion regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. During the gathering, Harrison had the opportunity to address issues specifically related to the negative effects of isolation experienced by residents during the pandemic and advocated for enhanced guidelines for church and family visits. According to Harrison, “Gov. Parson was very … [Read more...]
Silver lining appears for pro-lifers in court ruling
WASHINGTON (BP) — A silver lining has appeared for pro-life advocates in the U.S. Supreme Court’s otherwise disappointing decision in June regarding the protection of women who undergo abortions. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis overturned Aug. 7 a federal judge’s ruling that had blocked enforcement of four pro-life laws in Arkansas. In doing so, the three-judge panel based its decision on a concurring opinion by Chief Justice John Roberts in the high court’s June 29 … [Read more...]
Religious rights lost: Nursing home residents face pandemic without pastoral care
JEFFERSON CITY – COVID-19 restrictions have robbed First Amendment rights from nursing home and long-term care residents across the nation, according to The Baptist Home President Rodney Harrison. Unable to meet with their pastors because of these restrictions, aging residents face increasing isolation and loneliness – sometimes with detrimental consequences to their health. “Our residents have lost their rights, and nobody is advocating to restore them,” Harrison told The Pathway. In … [Read more...]
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