By Message Staff MCCOMB, Miss. (LBM) – Sue White was on the verge of tears when a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief team showed up to remove trees that fell on her yard in McComb, Mississippi, after a tornado touched down April 22. Twenty-five disaster relief volunteers worked tirelessly for several days clearing the heavy debris left by the storm, and they left such a lasting impression that White felt compelled to mail in a $1,000 check as a gift of appreciation. In her letter to Louisiana Baptists, the 92-year-old White said the team was a gift from God and that she was thankful for their selfless acts of love. “I shall always remember how hard those people worked,” White wrote. “May God bless you as you continue to help other people.” Gibbie McMillan, state disaster relief coordinator for Louisiana Baptists, said disaster relief does not require nor ask for donations for work completed by teams. However, he said they accepted the gift for the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering because White wanted the money to help others in future disasters. “We don’t do it for the money,” McMillan said. “We do it because there is a need and we are there to show Jesus to others who are needing Him at that moment. I am … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LEESVILLE, La. (LBM) – Blake Frederick was leading the nightly family devotional time in early March when his eight-year-old son, Micah, presented an important request – he wanted to surrender his life to Christ and share his decision through public baptism. Overcome with joy, the family scheduled a meeting with the East Leesville Baptist Church pastoral leadership team and scheduled a date for baptism. However, much like other Louisiana Baptist churches around the state, attendance restrictions from the novel coronavirus pandemic delayed the baptism until a later date. The baptism was rescheduled and fell on Father’s Day. Blake Frederick, whose wife, Heather, is children’s minister at East Leesville Baptist, said he was ecstatic when he saw his son baptized June 21. “It wasn’t until the morning of his baptism that I realized it would be held on Father’s Day,” he told the Baptist Message. “As proud as I was of his obedience to Christ’s command to be baptized, I know that God the Father was even more overjoyed.” Micah Frederick is the fifth new convert, with an additional five more waiting, to participate in baptism at East Leesville Baptist since the church reopened for … [Read more...]

By Message Staff BASILE, La. (LBM) – First Baptist Church of Basile is thankful after a recent electrical fire caused only moderate damage and left no one injured. Mike Fontenot, pastor of First Baptist Basile, told the Baptist Message the fire was reported around 6:10 p.m. June 4 by leaders of the church’s Celebrate Recovery ministry who were preparing for their meeting. Fontenot said the fire was started in the church’s food pantry storage room, and clean-up of the facility was completed Wednesday. While the fire damage was covered by insurance, First Basile must replace two refrigerators and one freezer that was used to store items that were distributed by the food pantry ministry. “We are so very grateful to God that we have been spared heavy damage and for all who have shown support through financial gifts and prayers,” Fontenot said. He said he is also thankful for a financial gift from Louisiana Baptists to help with repairs and replacing lost equipment. John Hebert, Louisiana Baptists missions and ministry team director, delivered a check from the state disaster relief fund to Fontenot Monday. “It’s rather unusual that in my 10 years as missions and ministry director we have not had the amount of fires to … [Read more...]

By Message Staff EUNICE, La. (LBM) - Acadian Baptist Center leaders recently celebrated the completion of their first ever worship center. The $3 million, 18,000-sq.-ft. facility was finished May 13, and can accommodate up to 1,000 people. Construction began in April 2019. Camp Director James Newsom said he appreciated the effort led by builder Joey West, a member of First Baptist Church in Pine Prairie, and architect Brodie Ardoin, a member of First Baptist Church in Ville Platte. Many others in the area volunteered to help with the project, Newsom said. “The new worship center at ABC is an amazing miracle,” Newsom told the Baptist Message. “It is humbling to think thousands of young people will be worshipping there for many years to come even after we are long gone impacting our world for Christ.”   … [Read more...]

By Message Staff NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) - New Orleans pastors Fred Luter and Dennis Watson recently participated in a dialogue about race, relations, respect and restoration. The discussion took place virtually on June 7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPa6gsDlAyM&fbclid=IwAR1eN621YV0YJtvXhE_gyRcNvseTs28-G5anq5zZ7l3ztaSbRnP_cgTKa7A … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - While many businesses in the state have been hit hard by coronavirus-related closings or reduced operations, a number of Louisiana Baptist congregations have reported remarkable faithfulness by members in financially supporting ministries across the state. Stacy Morgan, an associate with the Louisiana Baptists communications team, said most of the almost 400 pastors he has spoken with since mid-March have reported little to no significant financial hardships. He said creative measures taken to continue worship services, offer online giving platforms as well as the special efforts by pastors to touch the lives of their congregations despite "social distancing" and "stay-at-home" mandates have made a difference. “Church members are seeing first-hand how much their pastors care for them, and the pastors are really desperate to find any way necessary to reach their people,” Morgan told the Baptist Message. “Many churches are concerned about the coming months and the prospect of jobs returning. “However, God's faithfulness thus far has fueled their hope for the future,” he continued. “The recurring theme has been the faithfulness of God and His … [Read more...]