By Message Staff On a day when President Donald Trump called for a special national day of prayer to remember Hurricane Harvey victims and recovery efforts, Louisiana Baptist churches responded with times of prayer at their worship services Sunday, Sept. 3. “We give thanks for the generosity and goodness of all those who have responded to the needs of their fellow Americans,” Trump said in his proclamation that he signed Sept. 1. “I urge Americans of all faiths and religious traditions and backgrounds to offer prayers today for all those harmed by Hurricane Harvey, including people who have lost family members or been injured, those who have lost homes or other property, and our first responders, law enforcement officers, military personnel, and medical professionals leading the response and recovery efforts. “Each of us, in our own way, may call upon our God for strength and comfort during this difficult time,” continued Trump, who attended a service Sunday morning at St. John’s Church, an Episcopal church in Washington, D.C. “I call on all Americans and houses of worship throughout the Nation to join in one voice of prayer, as we seek to uplift one another and assist those suffering from the consequences of this … [Read more...]

By Message Staff As the floodwaters from what was once Hurricane Harvey recede in the coming days and weeks, Louisiana Baptists State Disaster Relief Director Gibbie McMillan is urging as many people as possible to complete training now. Those who have yet to be trained to serve on a disaster relief team can do so by visiting the disaster relief website. A brief online training session can also be completed there. Several training sessions are scheduled in the state. These include: Chaplaincy training Sept. 5, 8 a.m. to noon Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge office, 10560 Airline Hwy., Baton Rouge. RSVP by email to domstan@basela.org Mud-out training Sept. 6, 9:30 a.m. to noon The New Orleans Baptist Association office, 2222 Lakeshore Dr., New Orleans Chaplaincy training Sept. 6, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The New Orleans Baptist Association office, 2222 Lakeshore Dr., New Orleans … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA – A group of pastors brought the hope of Christ inside the LSU AgCenter mega-shelter to more than 1,000 Hurricane Harvey evacuees Friday, Sept. 1. Five pastors offered words of encouragement inside the mega-shelter on the campus of LSU-Alexandria while lay people set up booths in the parking lot outside to pray with anyone interested. Held in the lobby of the building, participants also sang and heard from Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy, Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields and Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton. Nathan Martin, pastor of Christian Challenge Worship Center in Pineville, received a call from the Rapides Parish Sheriff's around 4 p.m. Thursday requesting they hold the multi-denominational prayer service. While media and the public were not allowed inside, Martin shared with the Baptist Message that the presence of the Holy Spirit was powerful during the prayer service. “Things began a bit chaotically at the beginning,” Martin said to pastors who participated after the service concluded. “It seemed like we were voices speaking into a waterfall. But as our time went on, more and more people were engaged in what was being shared, and by the end of the service ... well, you … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE – Noah’s Ark Flood Relief, a coalition of 10 central Louisiana churches, is seeking donations to fill up at least an 18-wheeler by Monday for delivery to neighborhoods in Kingwood, Texas. Formed out of a response to help those impacted by last year's historic flooding in Denham Springs, Noah’s Ark Flood Relief is collecting items people may have lost when Hurricane Harvey came through their area. Sheryl Craig, spokesperson for the organization, said they hope the effort is an encouragement to those suffering. “Christ’s commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves,” Craig said. “Today is someone else’s turn to experience difficulties but tomorrow may be my turn. It’s about people coming together to help people in need.” Donations, with the exception of clothing, will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sept. 15 at Trinity Baptist Church, 3905 Trinity Church Road in Pineville. The organization hopes to fill up a second truck by mid-September. For more information on donating items or volunteering with Noah’s Ark Flood Relief, call 201.8218.     … [Read more...]