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...]

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By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Volunteers are pouring into Louisiana by the droves. Some have given up their spring break while others have taken time off work to offer a helping hand and share Christ’s love with thousands of flood victims. Since historic storms dumped record amounts of rainfall over the state causing widespread flooding in early March, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams from 16 states have answered the call for help and those volunteers have been working tirelessly to help victims get back on their feet. And to compound matters, another round of severe weather is expected beginning late Wednesday evening. The National Weather Service (NWS) indicates every region of the state is under a slight to marginal risk for severe weather through Thursday. According to the NWS, large hail, damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes are possible during this event.  Forecasters say up to four inches of rain could fall in certain areas causing flash flood concerns across the state. With more than 13,000 homes already flooded, it is not the type of news that rain-weary Louisianans want to hear. BY THE NUMBERS After the first incident command center was established on March 14, SBDR … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor Getting a firm handle on the size of the problem Louisiana Baptists’ recovery efforts are facing is almost as frustrating as actually dealing with the aftermath of the floodwaters, according to David Abernathy who serves Louisiana Baptists as disaster relief incident commander. It can be very frustrating at times, he said. But, he said the pieces are starting to fall into place with regard to operations prompted by the historic rainfalls that hit the state the last two weeks. Abernathy said “20 to 24 inches of rain fell” in some areas but some spots “received up to 30 inches in less than 48 hours” and up to 30 parishes, so far, have been impacted by flooding. To date, “13,000 homes have been damaged in some way by the flooding,” Abernathy added. “But those numbers are going to grow because there is still flooding and a lot of backwater in many areas of the state.” According to the National Weather Service, the Red River and the Ouachita River have both crested but neither has really fallen. “There is no place for the water to go. I checked today and the Ouachita River has not fallen at all and the Red River is the same,” said Abernathy. “We received another ½- to 1 inch of … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer More than 120 students from Baptist Collegiate Ministries throughout the state are forgoing a spring break trip to the beach in order to volunteer for disaster relief work in response to the overwhelming need to help out those impacted by recent flooding in Louisiana. Among the BCMs already committed to participate next week with Louisiana Baptists’ disaster relief operations are University of Louisiana-Monroe, McNeese State University, Northwestern State University and Southeastern Louisiana University. Students at LSU-Alexandria are preparing for spring examinations next week, and members of that BCM will join ongoing recovery efforts later. BCM state missions coordinator Jamey Gilliland said being engaged in missions is a core value of all the BCMs in Louisiana and explained that campus ministers and state BCM leaders focus on getting students a missions experience multiple times throughout the year, including spring break, Christmas time and summer. Gilliland and other campus ministers felt it was important this year to respond to this specific need right in their own backyard, he said. “Often, our missions emphasis is on going to a different context to inspire a … [Read more...]