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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Alabama volunteer team encourages Vintage Church during playground build

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer METAIRIE, La. (LBM) - An Alabama church teamed up with Vintage Church in Metairie, June 9, to build a playground that not only will serve as a recreational gathering place for their community but will become fertile ground to develop relationships for Christ. The playground, built by 15 members of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Brantley and 25 members of Vintage Church, will feature slides, a small merry-go-round, stepping stones and alligator and frog spring riders. Additionally, elm trees soon will be planted and benches, picnic tables and fencing will be installed. Vintage Church Generations Director Nick Perret said his church was encouraged that the Alabama team gave up a portion of their summer vacation to assist them to build what will become yet another outreach arm. The church that averages 200 in Sunday worship also participates each month in food distribution in Metairie and hosts a Hispanic worship service. “For several years we have been wanting to complete this playground so we could have another way to connect with our neighborhood, and when we found out the Alabama team would help us, our church was very excited,” Perret told the Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]

SBC CP dips in May, remains down for FY23

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee released the May 2023 financial report, June 6, showing that gifts to SBC causes through the Cooperative Program dipped 0.95 percent while designated giving for the month was up 2.94 percent compared to May 2022. Meanwhile, year-to-date figures showed both funding channels were under 2022 levels. From October 1, 2022, through May 31, 2023, CP contributions were 5.75 percent lower compared to the same timeframe for the last fiscal year. Likewise, designated giving was 4.10 percent less for the same months. Both the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering were down for the year. LBC CP The national report showed giving by Louisiana Baptists to SBC causes in May climbed 8.95 percent through CP and surged 14.33 percent for special offerings. Likewise, the year-to-date data showed Louisiana Baptist contributions through the CP and to designated offerings trended higher for both funding channels, 2.54 percent, and 9.84 percent, respectively. … [Read more...]