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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Archives for 2021

Louisiana Baptists give encouragement, funds to churches impacted by Ida

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist state missions team members began distributing funds Friday, Sept. 3, to pastors whose homes were heavily damaged by Hurricane Ida. The emergency gifts were made possible through gifts to the Georgia Barnette State Mission Offering and donations from churches and individuals. “We have worked with the associational missionaries in the most affected regions to identify pastors with great need,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “We are blessing them with a small gift to help them with daily essentials and asking God to use it mainly to be an encouragement to them. We do anticipate more needs in the coming weeks and are prepared to bless other pastors as well.” So far, 70 Louisiana Baptist churches, associational offices and ministry centers have been confirmed as having sustained damage or destruction from the Category 4 hurricane. However, Lafourche and Terrebone Parishes were hard hit and churches there have been out of reach by phone or internet. “It’s from minor to catastrophic,” Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry Team Director John Hebert said. “Pray for the churches well being physically and emotionally. They … [Read more...]

Church gives back during Hurricane Ida relief efforts

By Baptist Message staff WELSH, La. (LBM) – Shortly after Hurricane Delta made its way through Louisiana in September 2020, a team from First Baptist Church, Golden Meadow, arrived at First Baptist Church, Welsh, and fed hundreds of community members over a three-day period. Now, the church at Golden Meadow has suffered damage from Hurricane Ida, so the Welsh congregation plans to give back to the people who offered so much to their area. FBCW Pastor Pat Deshotel said members designated $3,000 to donate to the Golden Meadow church in memory of member Claude Fontenot, who served as pastor there from 1961-1982 and died in August. “They came to help us right after the hurricane last year and we wanted to return the favor by paying it forward,” Deshotel told the Baptist Message. “The Bible tells us to love one another and I can’t think of a better way of obeying that commandment than showing love to that church.” First Baptist Welsh is among the many churches that are giving back to those impacted by Ida. Others interested in donating money to disaster relief efforts can click here to donate online, or send such gifts by mail: Louisiana Baptist Convention, P.O. Box 311, Alexandria, Louisiana. Volunteers are needed to serve on … [Read more...]

70 Louisiana Baptist churches damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ida

By Baptist Message staff ALEANDRIA, La. (LBM)—John Hebert, director of Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief operations, released a list of 70 congregations who have been confirmed as having suffered damage or destruction to facilities due to Hurricane Ida. Hebert, who also is the director of the Louisiana Baptist missions and ministry team, said that Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes also were hit hard by the storm, but that all attempts to contact Louisiana Baptists in those areas have been unsuccessful. He asked for prayers for them as well as for the list of congregations below: Angie Baptist Church Bayou Baptist Association office, Houma Blood River Baptist Church, Albany Bluff Creek Baptist Church, Clinton Bogue Chitto Baptist Church, Mount Hermon Bridge City Baptist Church Calvary East Baptist Church, New Orleans Carrollton Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans Celebration Church Westbank, Harvey Celebration Church, Kenner Celebration Church, Mandeville Celebration Hispanic Church, Metairie City of Hope Community Church, Hahnville Clifton Baptist Church, Franklinton Collins Boulevard Baptist Church, Covington Connect Church, Algiers Cosmopolitan Evangelistic Baptist Church, … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists give Ida evacuees, first responders shelter

By Baptist Message staff EUNICE, La. (LBM) – Four Louisiana Baptist encampments have opened their facilities to Hurricane Ida evacuees and first responders. James Newsom, director of Acadian Baptist Center in Eunice, told the Baptist Message 120 linemen and 70 members of First Baptist Church, Golden Meadow, and their families are residing at the camp. Newsom said the camp is providing rooms, meals and household items, and added that area pastors have visited the camp to pray with the evacuees. “It’s really sad knowing the heartache and devastation they are going through,” Newsom said. “Pray that God would use this hurricane to bring people into the Kingdom and that He would send people to come help the church and families rebuild.” Matthew Chouest, FBCGM pastor, said he is grateful for the ABC, which regularly hosts members from his congregation at annual summer camps and men’s retreats, and Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief, which already is giving assistance. He also told Baptist Message that already individuals and congregations from around the country have expressed interest in donating funds and supplies and coming to help rebuild as well as minister to the community. Chouest, who returned to his church … [Read more...]