By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)--The novel coronavirus pandemic has kept most of the state's population at a general standstill for nearly two months, but not more than 100 Louisiana Baptist volunteers who have been on the front lines providing disaster relief to tornado-stricken victims, for instance, while also offering them the hope that is found in Christ. MINISTERING TO THE MULTITUDES Since Gov. John Bel Edwards issued his first of several statewide restriction measures, March 13, disaster relief teams have ministered at feeding sites, provided hospitals with essential protective equipment, established a homeless outreach center, set up a mobile shower station to assist a jail in its COVID-19 response, and, completed chainsaw and other cleanup duties in multiple tornado-stricken communities. Gibbie McMillan, Louisiana Baptists state disaster relief coordinator, said he has been amazed at the volunteers' selfless attitude. "They have been champions," McMillan told the Baptist Message. "They had the time off from their regular jobs and felt like as long as they practiced common sense social distancing they would be alright. Thankfully, none of our team members even got sick and we credit that … [Read more...]

By Message Staff LEESVILLE, La. (LBM) – Helping Hands Storefront Ministries has announced plans to resume all operations June 3. While food distribution to families has continued throughout the duration of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Helping Hands temporarily discontinued its other ministries once Gov. John Bel Edwards' stay-at-home order went into effect March 23. Director Modie Phillips said after much prayer, she felt enough time will have passed by early June to resume services. "I called many of our volunteers asking if they were willing to return to work on June 3rd and I rejoiced as they all said yes," Phillips told the Baptist Message. Phillips added that the storefront will take such precautions as volunteers wearing masks and gloves, and offering customers use of a mask while inside their facility. Helping Hands, a compassion ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, has ministered in Vernon Parish since 1992. Since the coronavirus, the ministry's food pantry has served around 470 families each month, compared to nearly 330 monthly in early March. Helping Hands also operates a clothes closet, chapel, English as a Second Language classes, home supply center, school supply distribution to area students every … [Read more...]

By Message Staff COLFAX, La. (LBM) – Kennedy Walls recently visited the food pantry at Summerfield Baptist Church in Colfax to pick up a few items, but left with much more -- a renewed passion for the Lord. "Coming to the food pantry was the only way I was going to hear about my need to get right with Christ," Walls told the Baptist Message. "After everything is open, I'm going to start coming to church and grow more with others in my faith." Since Summerfield Baptist opened its food pantry to the community in mid-March, they have had five Gospel conversations, with two participants making decisions to restore fellowship with the Lord. The ministry has given away non-perishable food, toilet paper, Bibles and Gospel tracts. Pastor Jeremy Brister said that before the novel coronavirus pandemic, the congregation recognized the need to help those living in poverty. As a result of conversations about setting up a feeding ministry someone donated a custom-made food pantry, about the size of an armoire, which has been refilled multiple times each week. The congregation, which had been averaging 30 participants in its Sunday morning worship services in mid-March, has used the food pantry as a way to reach out to the community. Now … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)--The Louisiana Baptist Convention has issued guidance for a three-phased approach to resuming child and youth ministries on campus. These recommendations provide practical steps as well as topics to consider in re-gathering age-graded groups The complete set of suggested standards for operating can be found by clicking here. … [Read more...]