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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Former LSU BCM staffer thankful for God’s protection of daughter after school shooting

By Baptist Message staff WINDER, Ga. (LBM) – Sarah Farley Beall, a former Baptist Collegiate Ministry associate director at Louisiana State University, expressed gratitude for God’s protection over her daughter and requested prayers for all impacted by a fatal shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, Sept. 4. Her daughter, Ava, is a sophomore at the school where the incident occurred that claimed the lives of two students and two teachers. At least nine others were injured before the alleged shooter, Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at the school, surrendered to law enforcement officials. Beall, who was on staff with the LSU BCM from 2011-2018 and now serves as a student mobilizer with the International Mission Board, told the Baptist Message that she was on a mission trip to Paris, France when the incident occurred. She is thankful her husband, Jonathan, was able to comfort Ava and her friends for more than five hours outside of the football field at the school. “Pray for comfort for our children, the families of the victims, our faculty and staff, our officers, our first responders, and our community,” she said. “Pray for healing of the victims that were hospitalized and hurt. “Pray for the students and … [Read more...]

Phelps, former LBC president, passes away at 88

By Baptist Message staff NATCHITOCHES, La. (LBM) – Calvin Phelps, a former Louisiana Baptist Convention president, died Tuesday, Sept. 3. He was 88. A native of Magnolia, Mississippi, Phelps served two terms at Louisiana Baptist Convention president (1988-1989). According to his obituary, Phelps pastored multiple churches during his ministry in Mississippi and Louisiana, including Chalmette Baptist Church; Parkview Baptist Church, Metairie; and First Baptist Church, Winnfield. He also was interim pastor with several churches throughout north and central Louisiana, concluding his ministry at Harmon Baptist Church this year. Phelps was preceded in death by his parents, Talmadge C. Phelps and Faye Louise Simmons Phelps; son, Billy Phelps; and niece, Theresa Phelps. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Katherine "Kat" Burney Phelps; sons, Rusty Phelps (Martha), Benji Phelps, and Jon Phelps (Yukie); grandchildren, Peyton, Walker, Meredith, Kat, Hannah, Emma, and great-granddaughter, Sawyer Ann. He also is survived by his twin brother, Carroll Phelps (Julia Ann). Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m., at FBC Winnfield. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories … [Read more...]

LBCHFM to offer glimpse of adoption, foster care during conference

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries will hold a free conference for current and prospective adoption and foster care advocates along with church leaders and staff, Sept. 7 at Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria. The “Called to Connect” conference also will feature presentations by Clint Davis, a counselor with Clint Davis Counseling and Integrative Wellness, Shreveport, and Chris Johnson, senior director of church partnerships and external advocacy, Birmingham, Alabama; breakout sessions; a panel discussion; resource fair; and lunch. The conference will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. For more information contact christy@lbch.org or 318-458-2227. To register, visit the conference website. … [Read more...]