By Message Staff RUSTON (LBM) -- A day after a devastating EF3 tornado significantly damaged homes and businesses in Ruston, an army of volunteers has rapidly descended on the Northeast Louisiana town in amazing show of support and assistance. Thirty Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were on the ground Friday, April 26, to help with clean-up efforts. Ten additional volunteers are cooking food and organizing disaster relief donations for distribution to first responders, volunteers and individuals impacted by the storm. More than 1,500 meals have been prepared since Thursday. The Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were assisted by volunteers from the Cajun Navy, National Guard, Louisiana Tech athletic department and  students from Louisiana Tech, Northwestern State University, and Grambling State University, the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana and numerous churches and high schools. John Hebert, missions and ministries director for Louisiana Baptists, said he has been amazed by the level of support and comradery between Louisianans. “Our disaster relief system is working and we have crews coming from Lake Charles, Bogalusa, north Louisiana and east Texas,” Hebert said. “To compliment the … [Read more...]

By Message Staff CONVERSE – Dawn Asbell is grateful for God’s protection after several trees just missed falling onto the parsonage at San Patricio Baptist Church in Converse Thursday, April 25. Asbell’s husband, Danny, serves as pastor of the church but was out of town at the time of the incident, leaving her and son, Noah, alone. They were in the hallway shortly after midnight when they suddenly felt the house shaking. Immediately, Noah began to pray, and moments later a pine and oak tree slammed onto the ground one foot from the home. “God was definitely with us last night,” Dawn said. “I normally don’t get scared, but last night felt different. Noah was a rock; he was more calm than me. He said ‘Mama let’s pray.’ So we did.” Asbell, who is still shaken by her brush with death, is grateful to be alive and thankful the church escaped major damage. The damage to the church was limited to a broken window. “When things like this happen, you remember what is important,” Dawn said. “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Converse is in Sabine Parish and 50 miles northeast of San Augustine, Texas, where an EF2 tornado touched down Thursday. The National Weather Service also reported tornadoes in Ruston and Mooringsport. … [Read more...]

By Message Staff RUSTON – Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, during a press conference in Ruston Thursday, April 25, praised the faith-based community and Louisiana residents for their response in the wake of a tornado that caused significant damage and loss of life in parts of the state. “What we’ve seen up to now in the Ruston area and really all across the state of Louisiana has been Louisianans stepping up and doing what they do best and that is being neighbor to one another,” Edwards said. “Especially the faith based community has been tremendous, the number of groups that are here cooking for first responders and for those whose homes have been damaged.” Edwards arrived in Ruston Thursday afternoon after surveying the damage from the air with Louisiana Tech University President Les Guice, Lincoln Mayor Ronny Walker and Lincoln Parish Sheriff Mike Stone. He described the damage as “more remarkable than it is from the ground. And the damage is extensive.” He urged residents to avoid travel throughout Lincoln Parish and allow emergency officials to assess damage. A curfew is in place from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Ruston. He shared the White House, the state’s entire congressional delegation and the Federal Emergency … [Read more...]

By Message Staff RUSTON – A PayPal account has been established to assist in efforts to clean up the chapel at the Louisiana Tech University Baptist Collegiate Ministry, which was damaged after a tornado touched down in Ruston Thursday, April 25. Three oak trees fell on the roof of the building early Thursday. No students were injured at the time of the incident. “There’s a lot of damage in and around our building and the cleanup starts TODAY!” the BCM posted on Facebook. “If you’d like to be a part of the cleanup efforts by giving, here is a link to our BCM PayPal! We will keep you posted on other ways to give & help as the process continues! Thank you for your prayers and any forms of assistance during this time!” Hours after the storm passed through Ruston, students from the Louisiana Tech BCM helped clear the trees and other debris from the building. Louisiana Baptists State BCM Director Mark Robinson was excited to see students respond so quickly to help their BCM in its time of need. Northwestern State BCM Director Bill Collins showed up to assist the students in the clean up efforts. “A reinforcement for your hope in the next generation is playing out today on the Louisiana Tech campus at the BCM,” … [Read more...]