By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – A day after a terrorist used a truck to kill 14 people and injured more than 35 others on Bourbon Street, New Orleans pastors prayer walked the area, Jan. 2, before it reopened to the public. Among those Louisiana Baptist pastors and lay leaders participating were Page Brooks, senior pastor, Canal Street Church: A Mosaic Community, New Orleans; Larry Johnson, lay leader, Bridge Church, Madisonville; Ricky Murphy, associate pastor, Celebration Church, Metairie; Michael Raymond, Shiloh Christian Fellowship, New Orleans; and Dennis Waston, senior pastor, Celebration Church, Metairie. New Orleans Diocese Archbishop Gregory Aymond, Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, other pastors and law enforcement leaders also participated in the prayer walk, which took place at the request of Cantrell. The group also left yellow roses along the street in memory of the victims. A second line band followed the group and played hymns such as “I’ll fly away” and “Just a closer walk with thee.” “It was surreal to see Bourbon Street so clean and without people, which is totally atypical of how it usually is,” Watson said. “We prayed for the … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – In a joint statement released to the Baptist Message, Jan.2, Louisiana Baptist Convention President David Goza, pastor of Jefferson Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, and Steve Horn, LBC executive director, asked Louisiana Baptist churches to set aside time during Sunday services, Jan. 5, to pray for those affected by a terrorist's assault in the Crescent City, Jan. 1: “In light of the evil attack in New Orleans on New Years Day, we call upon our family of churches to designate specific time during worship services this Sunday, January 5, to pray ‘in one accord’ (Acts 4:24). “We recognize there is much to pray about. We pray for those who mourn. We pray for those who are injured. We pray for our law enforcement officers. We pray for our leaders. We pray for justice. “Let us also pray for protection, compassion, boldness and wisdom as we seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us. Finally, let us pray for God’s favor as we seek the lost who live among us.” At least 15 people died and 30 were injured after 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar drove a white Ford F-150 Lightning EV truck around a police blockade and slammed into revelers before being shot dead by … [Read more...]