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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Shooting outside NOBTS leaves one dead

By Message staff NEW ORLEANS (LBM) - New Orleans Police are investigating a Friday night, Dec. 16, shooting that left one person dead outside the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. According to a NOPD news release, the incident took place after they received a call around 5:44 pm for a traffic accident at the intersection of Old Gentilly Road and Providence Place.  Officers who arrived at the scene discovered a 20-year old male with gunshot wounds behind the wheel of a vehicle.  He was pronounced dead at the scene. NOBTS President Jamie Dew said the victim was not a seminary student or employee. "Once again, we are saddened by the violence in our beloved city,” Dew told the Baptist Message. “We thank God that our people and our campus are safe, and that none of our people were harmed.  “We pray for the victim’s family as they grieve and encourage our local officials to take greater action to stop these senseless acts of crime,” he continued. “These horrible acts are yet further proof that our city needs the gospel and the witness of Southern Baptists." Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the NOPD homicide unit at 504.658.5300 or call Crimestoppers anonymously … [Read more...]

FBC Lafayette’s Singing Christmas Tree draws more than 4,000

By Message staff LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) – The worship center of First Baptist Church, Lafayette, recently was transformed into a makeshift Cajun village whose centerpiece was a giant Singing Christmas Tree. During performances, Dec. 9-12, the audiences were treated to music by a choir stationed on platforms on the tree decorated with more than 100,000 lights, along with Christian tunes by an orchestra, local Cajun band and a drama team. The drama included a plan of salvation throughout the production, including an invitation from Pastor James Pritchard to accept Christ at the close of each performance. All who attended were invited to complete a response card for a chance to win one of 20 gift cards from Logan Farms Honey Glazed Hams in Lafayette. According to Minister of Media Dennis Clark, 3,995 attended the four performances at the church while another 700 tuned into the livestream. The most recent performances marked the 19th time First Baptist Lafayette has held the Singing Christmas Tree since the first one in 1985. During that time, it has been held at the church and the Cajundome in Lafayette.   … [Read more...]

Concord-Union churches, Rolling Hills donate $6,000 to trailer park residents impacted by tornado

By Baptist Message staff FARMERVILLE, La. (LBM) – A tornado leveled a trailer park in Farmerville on Dec. 13, injuring two dozen people and leaving 30 residents without food, clothing and other basic necessities. Area churches and Rolling Hills Ministry in Ruston were quick to step in with assistance as the needy individuals from Honduras and Nicaragua received air the following day. According to RHM Director of Ministries John Cowling, RHM Director David Abernathy, his wife, Jerri, and himself were assessing damage the tornado caused in the area when they were directed by local authorities to Alex, who manages the individuals who lived in the trailer park. After a brief conversation, Alex agreed to transport the residents to RHM’s thrift store, where they received clothing, other necessities, and a lunch. Later that evening, RHM also provided supper for the residents at their temporary housing, an apartment complex in Farmerville. Additionally, area churches from Concord-Union Baptist Association upon learning of the storm victims need donated $3,000, with RHM matching the donation. Each resident received $200 during a special prayer service, Dec. 14, at the former Farmerville High School. Cowling said he was … [Read more...]