By Message Staff NATCHITOCHES, La. (LBM) – In a show of Christian love and support more than 200 cars gathered in a parking lot across from Natchitoches Medical Center for an impromptu prayer vigil Sunday, March 29. The evening included music and a time for families to pray together in their vehicles, where they remained throughout the event, which took place at 8 p.m. A similar event is planned for Thursday, April 2, 6:45 p.m. outside Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital and Rapides Medical Center in Alexandria. Mike McGrath, minister to students and families at First Baptist Church in Natchitoches, led the opening prayer, which was prerecorded and played by organizers to honor the practice of social distancing. He was honored to rally around the local hospital and show them love and appreciation. “It was a special time for the hospital to see the community supports them, appreciates them, acknowledges that what they do matters significantly,” he said. “We as a community wanted to let them know we will continually lift them up in prayer during this unique and uncertain time.” Jason Womack, pastor of Goldonna Baptist Church, enjoyed the evening of prayer with his family and other Christ followers. “My wife and I … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists are invited to join Louisiana Baptists Executive Director Steve Horn and other state leaders for an online prayer meeting Thursday, April 2, at 7:14 p.m. The specified time is based on 2 Chronicles 7:14 -- if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. The event will be streamed on the LBC Facebook page. "This is a time for us to unite our hearts and our prayers," Horn said. "The writer of Hebrews [in chapter 4, verse 16] invites us to boldly approach the throne of grace so we can find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. "The need is now and I'm inviting all Louisiana Baptists to surround the throne with our petitions relating to the Coronavirus pandemic in our state and beyond."   … [Read more...]

By Message Staff LAKE CHARLES, La. (LBM) - A Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief feeding unit set up at Trinity Baptist Church has teamed up with members of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Lake Charles for distribution of food which is being funded by United Way, as part of Southwest Louisiana VOAD to provide meals for hungry school children, elderly and their families. According to Reggy Saxon, blue hat for the Carey Baptist Association disaster relief unit out of Lake Charles, the United Way notified the association that the Calcasieu Parish School Board had paused its feeding program Last week. The United Way offered to provide the food and asked if the disaster relief unit would find a way to cook and serve the meals. Since Friday, March 27, the disaster relief team has cooked 1,444 meals at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles, and then transported them to Mt. Olive Baptist, whose congregation has helped team members serve meals to families through a drive-thru lane. Saxon said they plan to continue cooking and serving meals through April 10. He added that an additional feeding trailer arrived Sunday to accommodate the growing demand for meals, which began with 212 on Friday and increased to 512 on Monday. "We … [Read more...]

By Message Staff SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) - Evangelist Price Harris is celebrating God's healing power after surviving a bout with Coronavirus Disease 2019. Price, founder of Price Harris Ministries in Shreveport, was diagnosed Sunday, March 29, with the illness after battling fever over the weekend. His lungs are now clear and he does not have any fever. He is prescribed two weeks of isolation at home by his family doctor. "My main concern is for my wife, Ann, and a few folks I have touched over the last days," Harris told the Baptist Message. "Friends have been so good and I am trusting God for full recovery. I am really doing well."   … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) - An idea that began with the discovery of a social media post originating in Montana has quickly flown south to Louisiana and nested in the heart of Dr. Natalie Maxey, Assistant Professor of Engineering at Louisiana College. Using a 3D printer in the school’s engineering lab, Maxey began on Wednesday, March 25, making frames for the protective face shields that are in demand by hospitals and clinics amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Maxey, who was looking for an opportunity to help, jumped in without hesitation. “My sister is a doctor, and I couldn’t bear the thought of her running short of what she needed to protect herself.” All health care workers are somebody’s loved one, Maxey added, noting that local publicity on social media has fostered numerous companies to fire up their 3D printers and help. “This response represents my vision, because I can’t print the frames as quickly as the hospital needs them,” she said. Based on a Facebook post, Maxey called the President of Louisiana College Dr. Rick Brewer about the project. Brewer called Jason Cobb, FACHE, Rapides Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer. Brewer said Louisiana College could produce the much … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) - The New Orleans Baptist Association and Louisiana Baptist Convention have gifted the Baptist Community Health Services in New Orleans with 560 N95 respirators, combined, and other much needed supplies as medical personnel continue their fierce battle against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Alex Brian, business and communications director and neighborhood ministry coordinator for NOBA, told the Baptist Message the doctor, nurses and staff had been reusing masks and depleted their supply of gloves before the association found their supply in their disaster relief mud-out trailer. Brian delivered 60 N95 respirators, along with two boxes of gloves, to the BCHS clinic on Monday, March 23. Two days later, LBC Disaster Relief delivered an additional 500 N95 respirators and 250 Tibex protection suits. BCHS operates five medical clinics (New Orleans, Chalmette and Mandeville) and is the only known federally qualified health center connected to a Southern Baptist local association of churches, according to Shawn Powers, CEO and a full-time NOBA missionary at the clinic. NOBA, with the help of the Baptist Community Ministries (a foundation set up with … [Read more...]

By Message Staff COUSHATTA, La. (LBM) - Urgent prayers have been requested by the family of Nancy Spears, a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Fairview Alpha, who has tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Spears' husband, Wayne Spears, is a former Louisiana Baptist pastor and serves as CEO of Abbie Lane Retreat Ministry in Coushatta, a non-denominational 80-acre retreat facility for ministers and their wives. According to Wayne Spears, his wife fell ill 9-10 days ago. Her symptoms worsened over time and she was admitted to the emergency room at Highland Hospital in Shreveport on Sunday, March 22. Wayne Spears has posted updates on his Facebook page, which has been flooded with posts from others offering prayers and encouragement for the family. The couple is quarantined for 14 days, beginning Tuesday, March 24. Nancy Spears is still at Highland Hospital while her husband is at their home. “Her physical condition was so weak going into this, for her to make it will be the result of prayer and God’s grace,” Spears told the Baptist Message. “I am probably positive because I have been with her constantly.  However, I cannot be tested until I have symptoms, coughing and fever.” Wayne Spears noted … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisianans struggling through difficulties associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) now have a confidential place to turn, thanks to a prayer line established by Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief. The line is toll-free at 800.410.3492. Calls are answered by Louisiana Baptist DR chaplains from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. “If someone has a concern and wants to talk it over with one of our chaplains, we are here by the phone to pray for you,” said Stan Statham, a DR chaplain and associational mission strategist with the Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana. Statham said the prayer line is another way to minister to those impacted by the situation. Joe Arnold, a DR chaplain and associational mission strategist with the Bayou Baptist Association, said this prayer line can infuse much needed encouragement. “A lot of people need someone to talk to, pray with and just express themselves,” Arnold said. “Many times we work it out better when we express those feelings and have someone to talk with. We want to make it available so people remember the Lord is still in control and God is still God. In the process of all that is happening, those things … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – God’s solution to deal with anxiety that may develop from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a mindset of thanksgiving rather than anxiety and worry, according to Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries Granberry Counseling Director Kathy Eichelberger. “I tell my clients worry and anxiety cannot co-exist with thanksgiving,” Eichelberger told the Baptist Message. “One will weigh over another. This is like a prescription God has given us to deal with the anxiety. “Practicing Philippians 4 will help us focus on the things we are truly thankful for, and I encourage my clients to meditate on verses 5-9,” she continued. “Writing that scripture on index cards to be placed throughout your office or home is a great reminder that will give you a peace of mind.” Like many counselors, Eichelberger and her Granberry colleagues have received an influx of questions on how to cope with the impact from COVID-19. Despite the stresses on households resulting from the lifestyle changes mandated by the statewide lockdown, Eichelberger reminds those seeking answers not to focus on the unknown. “We know life is uncertain and this is a scary time,” … [Read more...]