By Mark H. Hunter, Regional Reporter BATON ROUGE - Just as dawn was breaking in the middle of Holy Week, more than 1,400 Louisianans filled a large River Center ballroom for the 52nd annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. For more than an hour, public officials, community leaders and clergy prayed for newly-elected Gov. John Bel Edwards, the state, Louisiana families suffering from the recent flooding, the legislature, the military, emergency responders -- all concluding “In the name of Jesus, amen.” In his closing remarks, Edwards quoted I Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” “That is not the only reason they were praying, it is why we are praying as well,” Edwards said. “And while we face challenges in Louisiana, we don’t face anything that our God can’t handle if we will just ask him to help us.” We certainly have to do our part, he added, asking the audience to “continue to pray” for the people of Louisiana, for one another, for our military, those who risk their lives to protect us, and, “may we pray for guidance and for wisdom for all of our leaders in the nation, our state and certainly myself included.” Noting the prayer breakfast was held a … [Read more...]

The opportunity to set up a prison program with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, “just fell in my lap,” said Burl Cain, former warden at Angola. The four-year program, started in 1995, has produced 278 inmate graduates. Some have even transferred to other prisons as missionaries. Now, Cain says, instead of inmates committing crimes, they are witnessing to other inmates, studying for a seminary test or holding a Bible study. He shared his story about the important role Louisiana Baptists played in the changed lives at Angola. Look for a story later at 2 pm today at baptistmessage.com on this and also more about being cleared of any wrongdoings following an investigation by three state agencies. https://youtu.be/DmUMplnZeCM … [Read more...]

Burl Cain, a long-time warden known for turning around what was once considered the most violent maximum security prison in America, has been cleared of any wrongdoing following investigations by three state agencies. The inquiries were prompted by accusations of ethics breeches by a local newspaper in the fall that grew while newly elected Governor John Bel Edwards was preparing to take office. Cain resigned in the midst of the turmoil, effective Jan. 1, and Edwards subsequently called for the reviews, giving the appearance of guilt on Cain’s part. Now Cain, with exonerations in hand, is telling why he resigned and what was behind the investigations. Cain explained more during an exclusive interview with the Baptist Message. Look for a full story at 2 pm today at baptistmessage.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61uaOJdfo_s&feature=youtu.be … [Read more...]

Burl Cain, former warden at Angola, talks about the heartache he endured following reports of an investigation of alleged wrongdoings. He was cleared of all charges in late March. He sat down with the Baptist Message on March 23 and shared his complete story. Look for the story today at 2 pm on baptistmessage.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErGegH4kU_0 … [Read more...]

Later today, the Baptist Message will release a story where Burl Cain, the former warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, shared the story behind why he was cleared of any wrongdoings this month following investigations by three agencies in the state. We will release three more videos today, leading up to the publication of the article at 2 pm at baptistmessage.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQP0LEzVyQQ&feature=youtu.be … [Read more...]

The Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola once was known as the bloodiest prison in America. But today, thousands of inmates have professed Christ as Lord and Savior, and violence has decreased by 85 percent. Of the 6,300 inmates now held at Angola, nearly 50 percent are thought to be Christians. Some of that change has occurred through a program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, which has a campus inside the prison walls. “Thank you so much for the prayers,” former Angola Warden Burl Cain said, speaking directly to Louisiana Baptists during the taping of an exclusive interview with the Baptist Message. “And thank you for your dollars. And thank you for being a good steward. Thank you for letting us have the opportunity to show how we can change lives in prison.” Look for a complete story on this and why Cain was exonerated of charges of wrongdoings Friday at 2 pm at baptistmessage.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq8BhxLT5e0&feature=youtu.be   … [Read more...]

By Lisa Sergent, Director of Communications, Illinois Baptist State Association LEESVILLE - Funeral arrangements have been made for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) volunteer Don Fulkerson, who died of a heart attack Tuesday, March 29, while serving flood victims in Leesville, Louisiana. Fulkerson, 77, was with a group of trained DR workers from First Baptist Church of Galatia, IL, and volunteers from other Illinois Baptist churches. Visitation will take place Friday, April 1 from 6-9 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Galatia, 108 E. Church St., Galatia, IL 62935. His funeral will be Saturday, April 2 at 11 a.m. also at First Baptist Church of Galatia. Fulkerson was a member of the church. Rex Alexander, Disaster Relief coordinator for the Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA), suggested DR volunteers attending the funeral, “wear your yellow shirts in honor of Don’s faithful service to the Lord through Disaster Relief Ministry.” Southern Baptist DR volunteers are easily identified at disaster recovery scenes by the bright yellow shirts they wear. “The callout to Louisiana was Don’s 15th response over a period of only four years and his wife, Margie, was almost always by his side serving whenever the opportunity … [Read more...]

By Message Staff NATCHITOCHES - After eight consecutive days of clearing debris from yards and cleaning out the inside of homes damaged by recent flooding in Natchitoches, students from Northwestern State University’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry have taken a break from disaster relief efforts. But their work is far from over. Since last week, 25 students from the BCM have completed jobs at six homes. Once they return from spring break next week, the students will continue their disaster relief efforts after morning classes on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. Most of the homeowners they assisted were Louisiana Baptists, though the students did share the gospel with one homeowner who is not a member of a Baptist church. While the homeowner did not accept Christ, NSU BCM Director Bill Collins said the seeds were planted for a possible conversion one day. “This was a powerful witness by the student who took the time to slow down and talk with the homeowner,” Collins said. “All of these students displayed compassion and were excited to share their faith in this way.” … [Read more...]