By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The Woman’s Missionary Union Foundation has gifted the Louisiana Baptist Convention $25,000 to cover insurance deductibles for four Baptist Collegiate Ministry sites, as well as the Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center and the Baptist Building -- all damaged by Hurricane Laura. While insurance adjusters have not completed full assessments for all the facilities, preliminary reports estimate there is at least a combined $1.2 million in damages, according to Dale Lingenfelter, business and information services director for Louisiana Baptists. The BCM facilities at McNeese State University, Louisiana Tech, University of Louisiana and Louisiana State University, Alexandria, will need either partial or complete roof replacements. The roof of the Louisiana Baptist Building, the state mission center in Alexandria, also needs repairs. Meanwhile, Tall Timbers must repair one of its cabins, the ropes course and the loading dock that were damaged by Laura. “The damage to McNeese BCM was extensive,” Lingenfelter told the Baptist Message. “The roof damage allowed a lot of water inside which will call for a complete rebuild of the interior and replacement of all … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer RAYVILLE, La. (LBM) – Pastor Eddie Wren turned on his television hours after Hurricane Laura made landfall in southwest Louisiana and was heartbroken as he saw images of damaged homes and residents weeping. He knew the needs would be great in the days ahead and believed First Baptist Church in Rayville would step up to help, just as they did for Suburban Baptist Church in New Orleans after it was destroyed by a tornado in 2017. Wren, who recalled that Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn previously mentioned disaster relief response costs were high after storms like Laura, proposed during a Sept. 13 deacons meeting that they approve a $25,000 donation to disaster relief efforts. One deacon, who thought the goal should be higher, suggested the amount be doubled to $50,000 and that the church should hold a supply drive to fill a 6 by 12 ft. trailer. Both motions were approved unanimously, and on Sept. 24 Wren and two members of his church delivered the $50,000 check to the state missions team at the Louisiana Baptist Building in Alexandria before they dropped off donated supplies at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles. “We are thankful we are able to do that,” … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer HACKBERRY, La. (LBM) – Monte Rowse was speechless as he stood near a pile of debris inside the worship center of First Baptist Church, Hackberry, four days after Hurricane Laura passed through the community. Though he knew the road to recovery would be lengthy and tiresome, Rowse was certain God would provide and renew the strength of the weary congregation. Soon, multiple churches came alongside First Baptist Hackberry: -- First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas, gave the congregation $10,000 to pay the insurance deductible, allowing the church to rebuild facilities. -- Praise Church in Beaumont, Texas, donated money to cover the staff salaries through the end of the year, and continues to send teams to serve the Hackberry community. The Lone Star state congregation also provided lodging on their campus for the Rowse family while their home was being rebuilt. Rowse said the outpouring of support by other churches in four states has been humbling. “If there is a need, I just pick up and call my partner churches,” Rowse told the Baptist Message. “God is meeting our needs every single day. We didn’t go out searching for it but God is providing when we least expect it. “If … [Read more...]

By John Kyle, Louisiana Baptist communications team director ALEXANDRIA, La.  (LBM)--The Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention voted to move the location and time of the 2020 LBC Annual Meeting to Louisiana College, Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 10 in the Guinn Auditorium. The vote took place during the board’s Sept. 29 meeting at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth. “We appreciate Dr. Rick Brewer’s offer to allow us to gather at the Guinn Auditorium for this important gathering of Louisiana Baptists,” said Steve Horn, Executive Director for Louisiana Baptists. “Our meeting will begin at 12:45 p.m. and conclude by 5 p.m. which should allow messengers to drive in and home the same day if they choose to do so.” Horn noted that only essential business, including reports from the social and moral concerns committee, the resolutions committee and entity reports, will be conducted during the abbreviated meeting. “We’ll elect officers, approve budgets, consider amendments and allow messengers to introduce new business as is our practice,” Horn continued. LBC President David Cranford, pastor, First Baptist Church, Ponchatoula, announced that Resilient will be the theme for this year’s Annual … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—Voters will be offered the opportunity to protect state pro-life laws by approving Amendment #1 on the ballot, Nov. 3. Known as the Love Life Amendment, this change to the state constitution is needed because of developments in 12 other states. In each case, a state court ruled that it had found in that particular state constitution a right to abortion – but the rulings were based on creative interpretations of a general phrase or vague wording and not on anything that specifically stated such rights. In one fell swoop all the commonsense protections for mothers and their unborn children that had been passed over the years by each state's pro-life legislatures were undone by an activist court. The Love Life Amendment does not outlaw abortion or address such controversies as exceptions for rape and incest. The language simply makes clear that there is no stated right to abortion in our Constitution: Amendment #1: Do you support an amendment declaring that, to protect human life, a right to abortion and the funding of abortion shall not be found in the Louisiana Constitution? Please protect the unborn and vote “yes” on Amendment #1. … [Read more...]

By Brandon Brown, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, La. (Wildcats Media) - Louisiana College has been named the safest college campus in Louisiana by Niche.com. “Since coming to Louisiana College to serve as president in 2015 the safety and security of the campus community has been at the top of my mind,” said LC President Rick Brewer. “The Homeland Security grant we recently received underscores this commitment and will expedite and expand campus safety and security exponentially over the years ahead.” LC ranked ahead of larger schools in the state such as Louisiana Tech University (No. 2), Nicholls State University (No. 5) and McNeese State University (No. 10). Niche uses a letter grade system. With A+ being the highest overall grade possible, LC garnered an A- for safety on campus. Brewer said LC has significantly improved campus safety and security since 2015 by adding campus lighting and surveillance cameras. The school also hired Clifford Gatlin, a former law enforcement officer, as chief of security. Additionally, the school received a $100,000 grant that will will be used for improved lighting around buildings, parking lots, and residence halls. Cameras will be purchased and installed around campus for improved … [Read more...]