By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA (LBM) - As Tropical Storm Harvey continues to slowly make its way up southeast Texas, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief State Director Gibbie McMillan is joining others around the country in urging prayers, donations and volunteers to help thousands of residents affected. "With all the flooding in Texas we must remember that a year ago many Texans came to Louisiana to help," McMillan said. "And they sent thousands of dollars as well to help us. Now, it is time to pay it back. "They didn't ask us to give but they did," he continued. "Now, we must respond in like manner. That is how Christian brothers and sisters act. They show the love of Christ." Harvey made landfall near Rockport, Texas as a Category 4 hurricane late Friday night, but downgraded to a tropical storm by Saturday. The hurricane center in its Sunday update the tropical storm has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and remains stationary about 45 miles northwest of Victoria, Texas. At least five deaths and more than a dozen injuries were reported by Sunday afternoon in Harvey's aftermath.rHarve In Houston, the nation's fourth-largest city, rescue personnel made more than 1,200 rescues and were answering thousands of calls from people … [Read more...]

By Message Staff LAFAYETTE - When many in the culture are urging a foundation built on worldly ideals, Christians should instead focus on one centered on God, Terry Young reminded more than 350 pre-teens on Saturday, Aug. 26. "You have a purpose," Young said during PreTeen Invasion at First Baptist Church in Lafayette. "Your purpose can be great or you can settle for less. "Don't listen to the lies of the world," he said. "Satan wants to tell you all kinds of lies. But God came to build our life, to make it better." Young, pastor of Airline Baptist Church in Bossier City, was the main speaker for PreTeen Invasion at First Baptist Church in Lafayette. The event also featured music by the worship team from Cypress Baptist Church in Benton and games led by the Louisiana College Interactive Team. Participants had the choice between two locations – Temple Baptist Church in Ruston on Aug. 19 or First Baptist Church in Lafayette on Aug. 26 – for this age group’s annual evangelism conference. Though the event took place at two separate locations on two separate dates, it offered the same games, interactive activities, worship and Gospel opportunities. More than 550 attended PreTeen Invasion in Ruston and 350 more came to … [Read more...]