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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

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The story is told of an attorney who was trying to deliver an important document to a man who was determined to avoid him. The man reasoned that it was a subpoena of some kind, and he went out of his way to dodge it. … [Read more...]

Disaster relief sites established in southeast Louisiana

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Several sites have been established for Disaster Relief operations that could begin as soon as this weekend in response to Hurricane Francine. According to Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Associate Mark Morelock, sites that will prepare food for those impacted by the recent hurricane are: Williams Boulevard Baptist Church, Kenner (manned by Rolling Hills Ministry, Ruston) First Baptist Church, New Orleans (manned by First Baptist Church, Slidell); and Renew Church, Baton Rouge (a partnership between LBDR and the Salvation Army that will also include volunteers from the Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief who will prepare and deliver food to Morgan City and Houma). Additionally, First Baptist Church, Morgan City (manned by Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief) will be a site for mud-out and chainsaw operations. Assessments are ongoing. Texans on Mission will support DR efforts in Louisiana by providing a generator and fuel to impacted areas. “Pray for power restoration, especially when AC is not working inside homes,” Morelock said. “Pray for volunteers’ safety and decisiveness. And, pray that our teams can be used to proclaim the Gospel.” Donations are needed … [Read more...]

Longtime professor Bill Todd left lasting mark on campus, daughter Tylitha Whatley continues family tradition

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Beloved and longtime Louisiana College Professor William Charles “Bill” Todd died July 4 in Alexandria surrounded by his family. He was 91. Todd retired from his full-time position in 1996 after serving LC faithfully for 27 years as chair of the Department of Health and Physical Education. He was awarded the title Professor Emeritus for his longtime loyal service. He also returned in 2006, continuing to work as an adjunct professor for another 10 years before finally retiring at the age of 84 in 2016. His daughter, Tylitha Whatley, began her career at LC, as her father was entering retirement from his full-time service. And ironically, she has now completed her 27th year at the university.  Whatley is a professor in the missions and ministries department. Todd was born in Tarrant, Alabama on Dec. 7, 1932. A faithful and dedicated member of Isney Baptist Church, Silas, Alabama, Todd served in the Army from 1951-55 and was stationed in Alaska during the Korean Conflict. Through funding from the G.I. Bill, Todd later attending the University of Alabama, where he earned his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Education. A die-hard Alabama … [Read more...]

Horn seeks prayer for Francine-impacted churches, DR teams

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Hours after Francine moved through the state, Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn shared several prayer requests for those impacted and those Disaster Relief teams who be serving those in southeast Louisiana in the coming days. “We are gathering information this morning regarding the places of greatest need,” Horn said in a statement to the Baptist Message. “While we are thankful that things are not as bad as they could be, we are aware of several churches that have been damaged. We already know that some churches that were impacted by Ida in 2021 are damaged again.  We are especially heartbroken for these communities. “While we continue to assess damage and gather information, please be in prayer for first responders,” he said. “Second, pray for those who are mobilizing to officially respond as part of SBC and LBC Disaster Relief teams. “Finally, I would remind all Louisiana Baptists of what I read in Scripture this morning about the promised Messiah as recorded in Isaiah 9:7. ‘He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.’ We read this not as prophecy, but as fulfillment. He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal … [Read more...]

Francine makes landfall, dumps heavy rain across southeast Louisiana

By Baptist Message staff MORGAN CITY, La, (LBM) — Hurricane Francine made landfall as a Category 2 storm Wednesday afternoon in Terrebonne Parish, about 30 miles southwest of Morgan City, according to the National Hurricane Center, and weakened to a Category 1 hurricane two hours after it moved inland. At 4 a.m., Francine was 60 miles north of New Orleans and was headed north toward Jackson, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee. The National Weather Service reported that 4-9 inches had fallen across southeast Louisiana between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting flash flood warning to be issued in many areas. A storm surge warning was in effect from Grand Isle to the Mississippi-Alabama border. Recorded wind gusts include 97 mph in Dulac and 105 mph on Eugene Island. More than 388,000 customers in Louisiana were in the dark as of 5:30 a.m. Thursday, according to poweroutage.us. Early reports of damage to churches included Christ Baptist Church, Houma, which lost some of its roof due to high winds; and Celebration Church, Metairie, St. Rose Community Church, and GracePoint Church, Destrehan, which had some flooding inside their facilities. "We're praying for safety for people here in greater New Orleans," Watson said … [Read more...]