By Baptist Message staff KENTWOOD, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been deployed in response to a tornado that impacted Kentwood on March 15. According to LBDR Strategist Stan Statham, chainsaw teams, chaplains and assessors from Franklinton, First Baptist Church, Covington, and First Baptist Church, Kentwood began their response on March 16. The tornado that touched down in the Kentwood area damaged 30 homes and downed power lines and dozens of trees, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office reported. At least 40 people died in seven states after severe storms made their way throughout the South and Midwest, March 14- 15. AccuWeather reported that 52 tornadoes were reported, though not all storm surveys have not been completed. Additionally, wildfires in Oklahoma were responsible for four deaths. In Arkansas, an EF4 tornado (166-200 mph peak winds) was reported by the National Weather Service in Diaz (190 mph winds) and Larkin (170 mph winds). It is the first EF4 tornado recorded in Arkansas since 2021. A tornado that touched down in Troy ripped off part of a roof to the city’s recreation center gymnasium and caused severe damage to baseball fields at its sportsplex. It also caused heavy … [Read more...]

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By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – March 16 has been designated as a day for all Louisiana Baptist pastors to preach on John 3:16. The initiative aims to catalyze soul winning across the state and will include an emphasis on prayer leading up to the special day. Louisiana has joined other state Baptist conventions for the effort, which are being coordinated with the North American Mission Board. “A coordinated effort to emphasize evangelism across our state and across our nation on March 16 will prompt us to have an evangelistic focus leading us to Easter on April 20 and Baptism Sunday on April 27,” Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Strategist Kevin Ulmer told the Baptist Message. “This focus will unify our efforts to win the lost both locally as well as nationally and foster our desire to create a culture of evangelism across our state. Think of the impact of thousands of churches across the state and beyond proclaiming the love of God for every sinner and the implications of that truth. My prayer is that this evangelistic catalyst leads to a fruitful time in our state and nation.” Leading up to March 16, Louisiana Baptists will be encouraged to follow a special 16-day prayer … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Shortly after his election as the 10th president of Louisiana Christian University Feb. 25, Mark Johnson shared his excitement about fostering partnerships with the community and for the Kingdom. “It's not about me,” Johnson shared with local news media after the conclusion of a press conference on campus. “It's about all of us. And I think that’s what makes me more excited – to bring people together and to get some excitement.” When he officially assumes his role June 1, Johnson said he will embark upon the P3 56 Tour, a series of 100 events in 100 days. Based on Proverbs 3:5-6, the effort will aim to engage the community and promote the university. “Here's my appeal to everyone in the community and in the area,” he said. “Become one of those 100 events. We want you to say, hey, come and meet our school. Come and meet our business. Come and meet our leaders. And we’re trying to generate the kind of buzz that we can fill up these 100 events with events not only on the campus but off the campus as well. “I believe in partnerships,” he said. “We grow with partnerships, and I think we can do something great when we pull that together.” Johnson stressed … [Read more...]