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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Former pastor seeks gift of life from liver donor

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer CROWLEY, La. (LBM) – A former Louisiana Baptist pastor is hoping to receive an early Christmas gift – a living donor who would offer up a portion of his or her liver to give him a chance to regain some semblance of a normal life. In 2014, doctor's discovered David Kindred's liver had been damaged beyond its ability to restore itself because of complications from medications prescribed for an errant diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Since then, his family has prayed fo find a qualified donor. Kindred, who accepted Christ while serving on a mission trip with First Baptist Church, Scott City, in 1973, last served as pastor of Rice City Baptist Church, Crowley, 2004-2006. Although he is no longer serving as a pastor, Kindred continues to be active in ministry as a Sunday school teacher and choir member at Community Baptist Church, Lafayette, where he and his family are members. DONOR INFORMATION The liver is one of the only organs in the human body that has the ability to regenerate, or regrow, according to medical textbooks. Between 8-10 weeks after the living-donor liver transplant, the liver will regrow to full size and function in both the donor and the recipient. The donor … [Read more...]

CENLA Pregnancy Center donates to two Lake Charles centers

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The CENLA Pregnancy Care Center has donated $10,000 to two pregnancy centers in Lake Charles, an area hit hard by recent hurricanes. CENLA Pregnancy Care Center Executive Director Claire Lemoine said the gifts of $5,000 to both centers will cover 40 percent of the monthly budgets for ABC Pregnancy Resource Center and New Life Counseling. “Those involved in pregnancy center ministry support and encourage one another,” Lemoine told the Baptist Message. “Making these donations are another way of showing how we care for the mothers, fathers and children these Lake Charles ministries serve. They were faced with devastation from the storms and we wanted to help.” Board Vice President Ed Tarpley, a member of Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball, added that the checks will help the two centers get through what has been a difficult time. “Our job, whether it be in southwest Louisiana or Cenla, is to promote life and save lives,” he said. “Lake Charles was devastated and we’re trying to do our part to help in a small way.” Lemoine said helping other pregnancy centers in the state save babies and minister to their mothers has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her job … [Read more...]

Do you need the church?

By Stewart Holloway PINEVILLE, La. - Recently, a former church member messaged me for prayer. The situation is devastating, and Rebecca and I are covering it in prayer. To be asked to join this individual in prayer as a former pastor and friend was a humbling blessing. Other than a social media comment here or there, we haven’t had much interaction in many years, but, when crisis came, the relationship that began in church many years ago was as strong as ever. Even more, though, I was encouraged to learn that this person is established in a church in their new city, and those people are helping this family through their challenging season. While most of life is wonderful, it can get a little “wonky” at times. Life can be difficult, disappointing, and even devastating. As a pastor, I’ve watched men and women walk away from their families, children disappoint their parents, diseases threaten life, death take loved ones, addictions demand prominence, marriages grow cold, finances dwindle, and more. But also as a pastor, I have seen the church minister in those situations - praying with the individual or family, providing for various needs, offering encouragement, practicing the ministry of presence, and much more. To the … [Read more...]