By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — Individuals and church teams are being urged to volunteer as “weekend warriors” to aid in the massive cleanup of damaged churches and homes from Hurricane Ida. Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief strategist Stan Statham said, “We have 70 chainsaw work requests alone just in Laplace. Multiply that by the hundreds of affected communities and the thousands of downed trees around homes and it’s easy to see that we need some supplemental help for the 1,000 boots on the ground we have for the entire state.” Any person or church team that can volunteer time during a weekend is encouraged to sign up on the “Churches Helping Churches” webpage. In the box for question “1,” simply note you are signing up to be a “Weekend Warrior.” Also, indicate what work you would like to contribute, set off by parentheses -- e.g., Weekend Warriors (chainsaw crew). Volunteers are needed for chainsaw crews, mud-out teams and food distribution. … [Read more...]

    … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff   ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—State convention leaders are asking Louisiana Baptists as well as the larger Southern Baptist family to pray for and partner with congregations who have been devastated by Hurricane Ida.   The storm wreaked havoc in New Orleans but caused severe damage in Houma, Thibodaux, Cut Off, South Lafourche, Larose, Laplace and many more small communities. Just among Louisiana Baptists, 91 churches were seriously impacted, with 22 experiencing catastrophic losses. At least 85 pastors are facing significant personal property replacement costs for cars, homes and belongings, according to Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief reports.   Steve Horn, Louisiana Baptist Convention executive director, told the Baptist Message that these churches and pastors “have a tough path ahead.”   “Some of these churches do not have the resources to carry wind and hail coverage on their property because it is so expensive near the coastal areas,” he explained. “Therefore, they don’t have insurance funds to repair and restore their churches.”   Yet, he added, while they are recovering, “they still are ministering to – assisting others – in their communities.”    Horn called on individuals and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Pro-life supporters have a chance to be part of modern-day miracles taking place through the CENLA Pregnancy Center, former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson said during the center’s annual Gift of Life Banquet, Sept. 14. “Everyday miracles are taking place at CENLA Pregnancy Center,” Johnson told a crowd of nearly 900 gathered inside the Randolph Riverfront Center. “Every time a woman walks in and she hears about the Lord, it’s a miracle. Every time a mother walks in and learns how to be a better mom, what to expect when she is pregnant, when she has a baby, that’s a miracle. There are miracles taking place every single day here in your community. And what an amazing opportunity it is that you get to be a part of those miracles, that you get to invest in the miracles that God is doing right here in your community. Johnson was the keynote speaker for the fundraiser, which netted $363,713.77 for the CENLA Pregnancy Center. The event also featured remarks by other pro-life advocates, musical entertainment by a Louisiana College graduate who now is a Southern Gospel recording artist in Nashville, Tenn., and an announcement that the center … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff GOLDEN MEADOW, La. (LBM) - Ice was no where to be found in Golden Meadow, Sept. 1, three days after Hurricane Ida. So, Pastor Shane Terrebonne lifted a request to God, believing. Moments later, just as he said "amen," a truck arrived at Gulf Coast Baptist Church with two bags of ice. He had not met the driver before and has not seen him since, causing Terrebonne to describe the incident was an example of God’s faithfulness. “God is on time, every time when you need Him,” Terrebonne said. “And He answers prayer.” Terrebonne added his thanks for the ongoing prayers from churches and their encouragement to his congregation as they continue to minister to the community. “God uses his people to show love to those who need it,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the prayers and support from other churches, we would have a more difficult time doing ministry.” … [Read more...]