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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Virtual egg hunt to help First Harrisonburg celebrate Easter

By Message Staff HARRISONBURG, La. (LBM) – First Baptist Church in Harrisonburg has planned a three-day virtual Easter egg hunt to kick off their Easter week celebration. More than 100 families have committed to placing large wooden eggs in their front yard for motorists to take photos of and then post to the church Facebook page from Thursday, April 9, to Saturday, April 11. Church staff also will place one golden egg in an undisclosed location in Harrisonburg. Pastor Josh Adams said the first person who sends the staff a photo of the golden egg will win a prize. Adams said his congregation, which averaged nearly 200 for Sunday morning worship in early March, wanted to offer a fun way to remain connected. “We wanted to do something for the little ones that would be safe and fun for everyone,” Adams told the Baptist Message. “During these times we are having to look for ways to do ministry and outreach outside the norm. Our prayer is the community will see that we are still reaching out and are committed to Harrisonburg and the outlying area.”   … [Read more...]

First Columbia goes outbound, reaches homebound with meals

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COLUMBIA, La. (LBM) – When Union Central Elementary School notified First Baptist Church in Columbia they needed assistance distributing meals to students homebound because of school cancelation due to the coronavirus outbreak, Pastor Eric Harriman quickly assembled a group to respond. From March 17-25, multiple teams that included 10 First Baptist church members, law enforcement members, Union Central Principal Kim Adams, a FBCC member, cafeteria workers and other school personnel -- distributed nearly 1,200 meals (600 for breakfast and 600 for lunch) prepared daily by Caldwell Parish School cafeteria personnel into neighborhoods and housing projects in Columbia and other parts of the parish. Adams thanked First Columbia, the non-denominational Life Church in Columbia and the school district’s special education director, speech therapist and school psychologist for their assistance during this difficult time. “It was encouraging not only to see the churches come together but the many volunteers from the school district step up,” Adams said. “This was a truly team effort, which is what we do here in Columbia. That’s the normal for us here. We don’t think much about it, we just … [Read more...]

FBC Ponchatoula makes way for new believer’s baptism

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PONCHATOULA, La. (LBM) - Sadie Laird, 9, recently made a special declaration of hope Christ that was two years in the making. Since 2018, Laird’s parents, extended family and children’s leaders at First Baptist Church in Ponchatoula had poured biblical truth into the youngster and on March 8 their spiritual harvest came to fruition when she said “Yes!” to Jesus. ONWARD, DESPITE COVID-19 Importantly, Laird was anxious to move ahead in her obedience to God by being baptized. So, surrounded by a few family members and church staff, March 22, in a worship service that was only seen through the church’s Facebook page because of attendance restrictions by the state in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Laird walked down into the baptistery waters inside the First Baptist worship center that was nearly empty of members but filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. “Trusting Christ means I get to live with Jesus,” Laird told the Baptist Message. Her grandmother, Ann, added that Sadie woke up the morning of the baptism beaming with excitement. “She hadn’t quit smiling since she woke up this morning,” Ann noted the day of the baptism. Pastor David Cranford, also … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists urged to pray for Louisiana’s evangelists

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)--Louisiana Baptists are urged to pray for evangelists, whose collective ministries are among the most negatively impacted by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 crisis. “Pray for our evangelists,” Keith Manuel posted on his Facebook page. He is the director of the Louisiana Baptist evangelism and church growth team. “So many people will not be aware of the potential economic hardship they are facing. Most, if not all of them, are having months of meetings cancelled. If you are a partner with them, maybe the Lord will put it on your heart to help financially or in another way,” Manuel explained. “Most of our evangelists are living on a very small income. Pray for their needs to be met as you pray for so many others who will lose their incomes during this crisis.” Louisiana Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists President Gary Bowlin said the cancellation of revivals due to COVID-19 come at what is traditionally the busiest time of the year for evangelists. “The biggest thing is that we are not able to share the Gospel and see people saved,” Bowlin, founder of Gary Bowlin Evangelistic Association in Summit, Miss., told the Baptist Message. “Cancellations have … [Read more...]

Medical personnel overwhelmed by public encouragement

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - Prayer warriors packed the parking lots outside Alexandria's two major hospitals to ask God’s protection over health care personnel Thursday, April 2. Motorists at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital and Rapides Medical Center tuned in their radios at 6:50 p.m. Thursday to the song “Way Maker,” and flashed their headlights toward both hospitals. Medical personnel returned the gesture by lifting their hands in praise and waving toward the crowd. The event was part of a nationwide movement of motorists gathering for prayer at hospitals across America. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO8L03X29b8 … [Read more...]

CARES Act loans available for churches, evangelists

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor WASHINGTON, D.C. (LBM)—Congress has approved a $2.2 trillion coronavirus impact aid bill that provides economic relief to workers and businesses; and, because of the work of many concerned lawmakers, these provisions extend also to 501(c)(3) entities, which include churches, Christian schools and other religious bodies. Importantly, evangelists are eligible for the payroll protection loans provided in the legislation, too. Basically, churches and other Christian ministries may receive a loan equal to 2.5 times the 12-month average of all salary costs. Essentially, this means each nonprofit will receive a loan equal to 2.5 months of payroll costs. Up to 100 percent of these loans may be forgiven, based on employee retention. There are two timeframes (either Jan. 1, 2020, through Feb. 29, 2020; or, Feb. 15, 2019, through June 30, 2019) for calculating the baseline monthly average of employees and this figure will be compared to the average number of employees still employed during the month of June 2020. The percentage of retention will amount to the percentage of the loan that will be forgiven. The U.S. Treasury has issued guidance that can be found using the URL, … [Read more...]

Evangelists set to livestream Easter message

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists has planned a special online outreach event Easter weekend. The one-hour program will be livestreamed on Facebook, April 9 at 7 p.m., and will be available on-demand throughout the weekend. The special broadcast will feature music and a message by COSBE President Sammy Tippit, who will co-host the meeting with Richard Hamlet, president and CEO of Global Ministries Foundation in Memphis, Tenn. The event, “Covered by the Cross,” will feature the powerful stories of men and women who found a place of hope at the cross. Luke Hockenjos of Haughton, and Keith Fordham and Kim Stanely, both of Fayetteville, Ga., are among those who will share their testimonies. Musicians Joe and Kim Stanley, Russell and Kristi Johnson, all of Conway, S.C., and Amy Stockwell, of Katy, Texas, will lead a time of worship by song. Tippit will conclude the evening with an invitation to follow Christ. COSBE has asked for churches, associations and state conventions to partner and participate in the effort by sharing the video on their websites or Facebook pages, or by requesting a link for the organization’s Vimeo channel that also will livestream the … [Read more...]

You are doing great, Louisiana Baptists!

By Steve Horn ALEXANDRIA, (LBM)--You might be tired of hearing that we are living in unprecedented days, and, of listening to endless reports about the crisis, quarantine, social distancing, stay-at-home orders, and flattening the curve. I know I am. So, how about some good news? Our churches are responding to the challenge with online worship, online giving, online Sunday school, and online prayer meetings. [I haven’t heard of an online dinner on the grounds, but I’m ready when someone tries that!] Others are doing drive-in church. We are at our best when our motto is: “Whatever it takes!” And you know what? You are doing great Louisiana Baptists! Louisiana Baptists also are providing real solutions to real problems in other ways: -- Louisiana College’s Pre-Engineering Department is making protective face shields and masks for hospitals. -- Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief has established a prayer line, distributed at least 24,000 N-95 respirators, and are participating in food distribution. -- Our Business Office, in cooperation with our Office of Public Policy and Communications Team, is helping associations and churches interpret the CARES Act which provides financial assistance for churches. You … [Read more...]

Louisiana College launches telehealth resource for students

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews)—Difficulties posed by social distancing, travel restrictions, and the shift in established routines are unsettling. Add to the mix personal health concerns, and the reasons Louisiana College launched a telehealth service for students on March 30 become apparent. “Because our primary concern is the health and well-being of the Louisiana College family, we are providing free telehealth service to our students,” said Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer. “With the necessity of online classes comes the separation of our campus community, but I want students to know they are not separated from our compassion and concern.” Louisiana College partnered with TimelyMD, which hosts Campus.Health. Available via smartphone or any web-enabled device, students have 24/7 unlimited free access to professional health advice and licensed counselors. Whether students are feeling sick or overwhelmed, they can talk to Campus.Health medical providers -- who can diagnose common conditions (cold, flu, sinus infection) -- and licensed counselors that offer students a safe space to talk about anything at any time, whether COVID-19 or any other mental stressor. All Campus.Health counselors are … [Read more...]

Governor’s office clarifies guidelines for ‘drive in’ church

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM)—Responding to questions regarding guidance about the “drive in” service many churches are conducting, Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn contacted the governor’s office for clarification about how state mandates about public gatherings apply in this instance. “I am grateful that Louisiana Baptist churches have made news for innovation in providing worship during this crisis rather than our non-compliance or outright defiance,” Horn told the Baptist Message. “I learned that the proclamation does not prohibit individuals from driving to their houses of worship for such services.” Horn said Adren Wilson, the governor’s deputy chief of staff for programs and planning, stated this type of service was “a reasonable solution if strict practices are followed,” which include: -- worshipers may not exit their cars for any reason and must keep windows up; -- restroom facilities on campus must remain closed; -- no one may sit in the bed of a truck; and, -- lawn chairs may not be used on church grounds. Horn was positive about the conversation and urged Louisiana Baptists to comply with the guidelines. “Let’s continue to be good neighbors, … [Read more...]