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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Greear to state execs: ‘How may I serve you?’

By David Roach, Baptist Press ATLANTA (BP) - Agreements to "assume the best in one another" and that a "Gospel-above-all culture needs to prevail" in the Southern Baptist Convention were among the outcomes when SBC President J.D. Greear met Aug. 20 with 15 executive directors of Baptist state conventions. "The most basic principle in airline travel is that if you want someone there for the landing, they have to be there for the takeoff," Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., told Baptist Press in written comments. "These are the leaders who have been leading in the things before I became president and likely will be there leading after my term. I wanted to know how I could serve them, catalyze their efforts in evangelism and mobilization and bring cohesion to many of the wonderful things already going on throughout the SBC." Held at The Westin Atlanta Airport, the meeting included executive directors of conventions in the southeastern United States as well as SBC First Vice President A.B. Vines. Second Vice President Felix Cabrera was invited but could not attend. Greear will meet in the future with other state executive directors and leaders of churches, associations and SBC entities, according … [Read more...]

Surrounded by family, friends and prayers, baby Elijah passes away

By Message Staff NEW ORLEANS - Elijah Kelly, the baby who thousands have prayed for as he journeyed through difficulties with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, has died. According to a post on the Elijah's Miracles Facebook page, he died at 4:17 pm Tuesday at Children's Hospital in New Orleans. Kelly, who was the grandson of Gulf Coast Baptist Association Director of Missions Steven Kelly, was born June 6 and weighed four pounds, 13 ounces. Two days later, the doctors diagnosed him with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare condition that left the newborn with only three of four chambers of his heart working properly. In the ensuing months, Kelly endured three open heart surgeries, a brain bleed, kidney dialysis and countless injections. Up until the end, family and friends from across the world offered prayers of support. Tammillee Kelly, wife of Steven Kelly, expressed appreciation for all who supported the family. "He was surrounded by his family and closest friends," she wrote on the Elijah's Miracles Facebook page Tuesday night. "He was cared for, prayed over, loved on, and sang to as he left our presence and into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Visitation will take place … [Read more...]

Camp moves on after losses in fire, storm

By Message Staff LORANGER – Camp Living Waters has lost its maintenance building, office equipment and kitchen air conditioning system in the last five months, but Camp Director Scott Mercer is maintaining a grateful attitude for the way he has seen God provide through the difficult circumstances. “It’s very humbling for how people have given and pulled together to support us,” Mercer said. “The size of the gift isn’t important as much as their obedience in following God’s direction to help us. We have full confidence in the midst of the storm God has a plan. All of us here at the camp are excited for what He has for us in the future.” A fire destroyed the maintenance building at Camp Living Waters April 23. Lost in the blaze were a tractor, two zero turn lawn mowers and golf cart. Two months later, a lightning strike heavily damaged the landline phones and computers in an office, and an air conditioning system in the kitchen. Christians rallied to support the camp, which is owned by Northshore, Eastern Louisiana, Two Rivers, Washington and New Orleans Baptist associations. Mercer said churches donated funds for a new lawnmower and raised money from their Vacation Bible School to buy new equipment. Another … [Read more...]