By Message Staff As Tropical Storm Harvey continues to dump unprecedented rainfall in Texas and was preparing to make landfall in the Bayou state Wednesday, Louisiana Baptists were stepping up to respond. “We continue to monitor conditions in Houston, SE Texas and across Louisiana as Harvey prepares to make his third landfall. Gibbie McMillan, our Disaster Relief Director, has been in contact with sister state conventions, as well as local leaders, in preparation for deployment once approved by local authorities," Louisiana Baptists Executive Director David Hankins said in an e-mail to the Baptist Message. "We’re encouraging people to visit our website for lists of needed supplies, training opportunities and donations. I know Louisiana Baptists are praying and are ready to join the relief efforts in what will likely be a long-term operation.” Family of Grace in Alexandria was among the churches collecting items for those affected by the storm. Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 4200 S. MacArthur Drive, the church is collecting items such as mud-out supplies, flashlights, first aid kits, dusk masks, Germ-X, basic toiletries and laundry detergent. A complete list can be found here. The church also is … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALBANY (LBM) – Liz Lowe was at a breaking point while recovering from a serious illness, but the long-time attender at Blood River Baptist Church, finally found peace in the person of Jesus Christ after sitting for 30 years in the pews. Lowe, who had been enduring years of health concerns, finally humbled her heart to Christ in March. But she resisted being baptized for months, until realizing her need to be obedient if she truly had surrendered her life to Him. “After having such a difficult time in my life, the baptism was a really nice way to celebrate what God was doing for me,” Lowe said. “It was a great feeling to have my church and family members there to see this God-moving experience.” Pastor David Collins celebrated Lowe’s salvation and her obedience through baptism, and he said her story is representative of how God has moved through the congregation since August 2016, when its educational building, worship center and parsonage all took in between 4 inches and 2 feet of water when the area flooded. Since the flood, the congregation has witnessed 14 baptisms and added 32 new members. “Through this situation, God has increased our faith and the blessings have been … [Read more...]

By Message Staff GREENWELL SPRINGS, La. (LBM) - Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Jerry Boykin headline a slate of personalities set to speak to a pastors’ rally at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is co-sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention Office of Public Policy, Louisiana Family Forum and the Washington, D.C.-based Family Research Council as a way to inform pastors about key issues that are developing in the state and across the nation and how to “fight the fight” against these very real moral and social threats. Other speakers include FRC President Tony Perkins, who also is the interim pastor of Greenwell Springs Baptist Church; LFF President Gene Mills; Will Hall, director for the LBC OPP, Pastor J.C. Church of Victory in Truth Ministries in Bucyrus, Ohio; and, Pastor John Mendez, culture impact team coordinator for FRC. “Attorney General Landry has successfully defeated the governor’s proposal to create a category of special rights for people who claim a transgender or gender fluid identity,” Hall said. “But, there are a number of other key social issues developing in the state that need a strong unified Christian … [Read more...]

By Holly Jo Linzay, Regional Reporter PLAUCHEVILLE (LBM) – God’s provision through the Georgia Barnette State Mission Offering is being felt at every step of way in building Point of Life Community Church, the first evangelical church to be established in the Plaucheville community. “We didn’t have any money, but we had faith,” said Norris Landry, the founding pastor. He was thankful for the many contributions from sister churches and individuals, but expressed special appreciation for the $35,000 Point of Life received from the Georgia Barnette Offering. Jacob Crawford, the newly commissioned director of missions for the Louisiana Baptist Association which includes Point of Life Community Church, said the Georgia Barnette Offering gift was not was not just a help to a local congregation, but also a strategic investment in reaching the lost. “Often, when you think of communities with no evangelical witness, you immediately think of other areas of our nation or world,” Crawford offered. “Few people would think of Louisiana communities in this case. Yet there are many towns in South Louisiana that have no Gospel witness. “Plaucheville literally is an unreached people group in our backyard,” he added. “It was … [Read more...]