UPDATE (3:23 p.m.): Additional mud-out training opportunities have been scheduled through Aug. 23 in the Baton Rouge and Lafayette areas. The following churches are hosting sessions: Aug. 17: Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, 6 p.m. First Baptist Church, Lafayette, 6 p.m. Aug. 18: The Grove, Prairieville, 6 p.m. Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia, 6 p.m. Aug. 20: Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, 8 a.m. (Hispanic) Aug. 23: First Baptist Church, Jennings, 6:30 p.m. An assessment training session is also scheduled for 6 p.m. on Aug. 19 at Ascension Baptist Church in Gonzales. ORIGINAL STORY: BATON ROUGE – The Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge has announced two mud-out training sessions for this Saturday. Hosted at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, one session will take place from 8 to 11 a.m., led by Charles Watson. The other session is for college students from 7 to 9 a.m. and will be led by Steve Masters, campus director of the LSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry. The cost is $25, which covers the cost of a hat and t-shirt. Each class will be deployed immediately after the training. Participants are asked to bring work clothes, such as long pants, long … [Read more...]

By Message Staff In the 25 years Louis Husser has served as pastor of Crossgate Baptist Church, he said the situation has never been this bad. The church’s worship center and gymnasium both took in one foot of water from flash flooding over the weekend. While some of his members have come to help with clean-up efforts, he said many are unable do much because their own homes are flooded. Many in his congregation had recently finished repairing their homes from flooding in March. Husser, who had water come within an inch of coming into his own home, estimates work to clean up both structures could take at least three months and welcomes any volunteer labor help. “Pray for us,” Husser said. “We need folks to be aware. Any help we can get would be awesome.” Flooded roadways are preventing Pastor Josh Powell from reaching Woodland Baptist Church in Springfield but he knows there was significant damage. The youth building took in four feet of water, the education building and worship center each had a foot or more and the parsonage about 10 inches. Donations can be dropped off at First Baptist Springfield. His church will need one of the LBC’s shower trailer and mud-out teams, as well as cleaning supplies and … [Read more...]

LAFAYETTE -- The Bayou Church in Lafayette and First Baptist Lafayette will host two important training events dealing with the flooding. The Bayou Church will host its training tonight, Aug. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. while First Lafayette’s training event will be Wednesday evening. Both training events will be led by Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Disaster Relief. Volunteers will learn how to properly and safely assist with flood relief efforts in homes. All volunteers must be at least 14 years old. “Please share the word and join us tonight,” the Bayou Church wrote on its Facebook page. “Together, we can help our community.” Pastor Mike Walker said churches needed to seize upon this event to minister to the community. “This is a magnificent opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a hurting community and literally see lives transformed. “We prepared for this event five months ago as we did a teaching series on Generosity,” Walker continued. “We received a special offering to give generously to five non-profits in Lafayette and Haiti and one of the five was for Disaster Relief. “We wanted to be poised to serve people promptly without worrying about asking for donations when a crisis occurred,” said … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MADISONVILLE – Like a good shepherd, Lane Corley spent the majority of the weekend tending to his flock including helping his worship leader and his family to find shelter after they were rescued by the Louisiana National Guard. One of four families from the Bridge Church in Madisonville who were trapped in their homes by rapidly rising water, Will and Charity Phillips, along with their newborn baby and four-year-old twins, were rescued by one of the Guard’s 5-ton trucks Sunday morning. They were taken to a local restaurant, which was situated on higher ground, until Corley was able to reach them and take them to his home. The Phillips will remain with Corley until the floodwaters recede. Corley, who serves as pastor of the Bridge Church as well as LBC church planning strategist, is thankful all four families were able to make it out unharmed. Still, he realizes they and others in south Louisiana have a long road ahead to recovery. "There are so many neighborhoods, homes and businesses affected by this flood, including East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana's most populated," Corley said. "We've got a lot of work and a great opportunity to let our 'light shine before men' … [Read more...]

By Message Staff LIVINGSTON – Near tragedy turned into jubilation over the weekend at Satsuma Baptist Church. Separated after flash flooding caused some in Livingston to be trapped, family members living near the church were reunited with one another on Sunday. Two different boats transported people to throughout the day to the church, dropping each rescued person off and into the arms of anxious but grateful members of displaced families. Pastor Brad Delaughter said he is grateful for how his congregation and the entire community rose to the occasion. “It was just a blessing to witness that, to see our church was used as a part of that,” Delaughter said. “We are the hands and feet of Jesus. To come together as an Acts 2 church and see the tangible effects are amazing. “And to see all the Southern Baptist churches in our area doing more than they ever have and helping each other minister and supplying each other’s needs where short is truly a humbling experience,” he said. Since Saturday afternoon, Satsuma Baptist has sheltered 110 people. Many people in his congregation have left their own houses – some which were damaged by high floodwaters – to serve meals, pass out supplies and just provide a listening ear … [Read more...]