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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Rolling Hills reopens thrift stores

By Message Staff RUSTON, La. (LBM) – Rolling Hills Ministries has reopened its thrift stores for the first time since Gov. John Bel Edwards ordered non-essential businesses to close in the state. On Monday morning the ministry’s locations in Arcadia, Bossier City, Monroe and Ruston welcomed customers who had been unable to shop at any of the shops since March 15. No more than 10 customers at one time were allowed in the store, and each person could shop for up to 30 minutes while adhering to the social distance guideline of six feet of separation as they moved along the aisles and waited in line to check out. Everyone was encouraged to wear a mask. “We are giving people confidence they can buy low cost clothing and household items in a safe environment by following state guidelines,” Rolling Hills Director of Ministries John Cowling told the Baptist Message. “We are all blessed to be working at Rolling Hills again.”   … [Read more...]

Camps take COVID-19 threat, seriously, and are ready to host

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist camps are facing an uncertain summer season but their ministry leaders are confident God will provide. Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth has not hosted any groups since Governor John Bel Edwards issued a stay at home order March 22 that limited gatherings to no more than 10 people. Camp Director Josh Bumgardner told the Baptist Message the only summer camp that has been affected so far is the Champion’s Camp. Because many of the special needs campers have compromised immune systems, Louisiana Baptist Convention children’s ministry strategist David Anderson made the decision to move that camp date from June to Sept. 18-20. “All of us want to have summer camps if conditions are safe to do so,” Bumgardner said. “Summer camps have a huge impact on the spiritual lives of children and youth. We see new Christians born each summer and so many more whose faith matures here. The decision to go ahead or cancel a camp will be made three weeks prior. "If it is safe enough to have a week of camp at that point, we absolutely want to host it,"he said. But he emphasized his commitment to set a good example on behalf of Louisiana … [Read more...]

As the church regathers

By Waylon Bailey Soon churches in America will regather for public worship. We can all be thankful that we have done our best to be good citizens who cooperated with those in authority to “flatten the curve” and not overwhelm our healthcare professionals. We can be very proud to have been a part of that. But now we have the monumental task of doing things that go against our nature and all that we have learned. Not only do we have to refrain from a “holy kiss,” we also have to refrain from what we have taught our sons about a firm handshake. Churches and schools have been greatly affected and will require creative ways to fulfill their mission. Thankfully, I can let other professionals deal with how to open schools safely and to do a high quality job of education. Think with me about the church. What will we need to do this? I can’t say it more simply. We will need God. More than anything, we will need to be completely open to God to see how He will lead. I almost want to write “reimagine,” but we don’t have to reimagine church. God will lead His people. We must be open to God’s Spirit as He shows us how to regather and how to effectively serve our communities. We must adapt, and we must be adaptable. … [Read more...]

State guidance: Conducting memorial services during COVID-19 crisis

By the Office of the Louisiana Department of Justice BATON ROUGE, La. (LDOJ)--This guidance is designed to assist those handling memorial services during the COVID-19 emergency in light of Proclamation 38 JBE 2020 issued on March 31, 2020. If possible, conduct direct burial or cremation, with a memorial service for the deceased to follow after the COVID-19 risks have abated. It is crucial for interments or cremations to continue during this emergency because the remains cannot continue to take up much-needed storage space while families wait for the ability to conduct a full commemoration service. Under Louisiana law (la. R.S. 8:651), burials or cremations must occur “within a reasonable time” after death. A reasonable time during this emergency, pursuant to CDC guidance, is three (3) days. If this short delay is impractical, final disposition may occur later, but must occur within 10 days if the remains have been properly embalmed or refrigerated. If embalming or refrigeration has not occurred, Louisiana law mandates burial or cremation within 30 hours (La. R.S. 37:848(D)). If some memorial must be held during the stay-at-home and social distancing periods, then: Funeral services (at the place of worship or … [Read more...]