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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Sabine parish pastor hit, killed while jogging

FORT JESUP – Matt Haggard, interim pastor of First Baptist Church in Fort Jesup, was hit and killed by a motorist Thursday morning while jogging. The accident was reported just before 7 a.m. Haggard, 48, was on his daily jog on state Hwy 6 near the Fort Jesup Community which is located six miles east of Many, Louisiana when he was hit by a teenage driver. He died at the scene of the accident according to Sabine Parish deputy coroner Ron Rivers. Haggard was headed west as was the teenage driver of a Chevrolet pickup truck who struck him, Rivers said. Louisiana State Police Troop E is investigating the accident. According to the Annual Church Profile, Haggard previously served as pastor of Oak Hill Baptist Church in Many and First Baptist Church in Marthaville. Phillip Strahan, minister of music at First Baptist Marthaville, told the Baptist Message that Haggard leaves behind a wife, April, and two sons, Sam and Brenden. First Baptist Jesup said in a Facebook message to the Message, “Please pray for his wife and children, and also the driver and his family. Funeral arrangements are still pending but the Message will publish once we have them. … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams complete work on eight homes in LaPlace, Reserve

By Message Staff LAPLACE/RESERVE - Since early Thursday, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams have completed work in LaPlace and Reserve on eight homes, tarping the roofs and removing debris and cutting down tree limbs, according to Billy Puckett, director of community ministry at New Orleans Baptist Association. Puckett is also  coordinating Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief efforts in St. John the Baptist Parish. Two chainsaw teams, one tarp team and three assessor teams that include a chaplain with each assessor team are working the area. Puckett said they will continue their effort at least through the weekend. At which time, they will determine if will still be needed since many other organizations are coming to the aid of storm victims. Puckett said the unity portrayed by the faith-based community and the residents of St. John the Baptist Parish has been evident, not just in work on homes but in a prayer service held at Percy Hebert Building in LaPlace. More than 100 people attended the service. The various denominations are rotating days and times of feeding the community, Puckett said. “This community is very familiar with disaster relief,” Puckett said. “A lot of neighbors who didn’t receive any damage are … [Read more...]

Projects, partnerships and a conference highlight LBCH board meeting

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MONROE – Construction is common place these days on the campus of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and its executive director knows how much of a blessing it is for the changed lives of children and women in the state. Renovation is scheduled to begin in November for the cottages serving children and house parents. Two other projects are also scheduled to begin soon that will benefit children and their mothers who are transitioning from a homeless lifestyle to one of job readiness. “We are so grateful for special friends who are making the much-needed renovations and new cottages possible,” Perry Hancock, president and CEO of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, shared during the recent trustees meeting. Peace Cottage will receive new flooring, an updated kitchen and paneling will be removed. Moreover, all eight of the cottages, built in the 1970s, will  have been renovated by early 2016. Grace and Feazell cottages were the first to receive renovations in 2013. Since then, Joy, Rucker, Love, Hope and Faith have also received updates. While the cottage is receiving its renovations, construction has begun on Maggie’s Place, the first of … [Read more...]