By Message Staff PINEVILLE – Thirteen Louisiana College athletes won’t have to miss commencement as the school held an early service, Wednesday, May 1 at Martin Performing Arts Center. The 13 athletes will be participating in the American Southwest Conference baseball and softball tournaments which will be played this weekend and would not have been able to attend the regularly schedule commencement ceremony on Saturday. School President Rick Brewer told the graduating students that LC strived to help the students earn their credentials, prepare for a career, discover their calling and build character. He emphasized that they make God a priority as they enter the workforce. “As you go out into life and go into the next place God has called you, live in stature,” Brewer said during the ceremony inside the Martin Performing Arts Center. “But pursue increasing in wisdom. And learn to grown in favor with God and man.” The 164th annual commencement is scheduled for 10 a.m., May 4 at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, at which time 250 degrees will be conferred. The event will feature keynote speaker Johnny Martin, chairman of Martin Sustainable Resources at Roy O. Martin. LC will also bestow honorary … [Read more...]
The ‘Mailman,’ former NBA legend, delivers to Tech BCM after tornado
By Message Staff RUSTON – Former NBA legend Karl Malone recently gave an assist to the Louisiana Tech Baptist Collegiate Ministry, whose chapel sustained significant damage from an EF3 tornado that touched down in Ruston Thursday, April 25. Malone, a Summerfield native and Louisiana Tech alum, used his construction equipment Friday to help BCM staff and students remove a large tree that had fallen onto the roof of the chapel during the height of the storm. Kevin Inman, director of the Louisiana Tech BCM, said Malone is among the many volunteers who have stepped up to help the BCM to clean up the chapel and grounds. The staff also was joined by BCM staff and students from Northwestern State University and Louisiana State University, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Teams, numerous Louisiana Baptist churches and volunteers from the community. “It’s been amazing to see so many people to give of their time and resources,” Inman said. “We are just so grateful for every single individual who has helped us during this time.” While the chapel was damaged, other areas of the BCM complex were not impacted. Students will utilize the lobby to meet for worship, lunch meetings and other outreach activities while the chapel is … [Read more...]
Situation reversed as Ruston’s Burkhardt now on receiving end
By Message Staff RUSTON – Hunter Burkhardt has ministered to hundreds as a staff member of Rolling Hills Ministries, but a tornado that severely damaged his home in Ruston Thursday, April 25, left him on the receiving end of much needed assistance. Burkhardt, who serves as human resources manager, arrived at the home of Rolling Hills Ministries Director David Abernathy 15 minutes before the tornado touched down in his neighborhood shortly after midnight Thursday. Once the storm had passed, Burkhardt ventured back into his neighborhood to find numerous downed trees and power lines as well as homes, including his own, badly damaged or destroyed. By early Friday morning, a Disaster Relief team from First Baptist Church in Blanchard and individuals from Grand Cane Baptist Church arrived to remove debris, including two trees that went through his home. Others from the Rolling Hills Disaster Relief Team and residents of Ruston finished removing debris late Friday. Burkhardt said he has appreciated the support and love the community has shown to himself and others since the EF3 tornado devastated homes and businesses. “The response has been phenomenal,” he said. “I’ve seen this community come together and organize at a … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptists’ rapid tornado response ‘amazing’
By Message Staff RUSTON (LBM) -- A day after a devastating EF3 tornado significantly damaged homes and businesses in Ruston, an army of volunteers has rapidly descended on the Northeast Louisiana town in amazing show of support and assistance. Thirty Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were on the ground Friday, April 26, to help with clean-up efforts. Ten additional volunteers are cooking food and organizing disaster relief donations for distribution to first responders, volunteers and individuals impacted by the storm. More than 1,500 meals have been prepared since Thursday. The Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were assisted by volunteers from the Cajun Navy, National Guard, Louisiana Tech athletic department and students from Louisiana Tech, Northwestern State University, and Grambling State University, the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana and numerous churches and high schools. John Hebert, missions and ministries director for Louisiana Baptists, said he has been amazed by the level of support and comradery between Louisianans. “Our disaster relief system is working and we have crews coming from Lake Charles, Bogalusa, north Louisiana and east Texas,” Hebert said. “To compliment the … [Read more...]
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Mother, son pray during height of storm, receive God’s protection
By Message Staff CONVERSE – Dawn Asbell is grateful for God’s protection after several trees just missed falling onto the parsonage at San Patricio Baptist Church in Converse Thursday, April 25. Asbell’s husband, Danny, serves as pastor of the church but was out of town at the time of the incident, leaving her and son, Noah, alone. They were in the hallway shortly after midnight when they suddenly felt the house shaking. Immediately, Noah began to pray, and moments later a pine and oak tree slammed onto the ground one foot from the home. “God was definitely with us last night,” Dawn said. “I normally don’t get scared, but last night felt different. Noah was a rock; he was more calm than me. He said ‘Mama let’s pray.’ So we did.” Asbell, who is still shaken by her brush with death, is grateful to be alive and thankful the church escaped major damage. The damage to the church was limited to a broken window. “When things like this happen, you remember what is important,” Dawn said. “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Converse is in Sabine Parish and 50 miles northeast of San Augustine, Texas, where an EF2 tornado touched down Thursday. The National Weather Service also reported tornadoes in Ruston and Mooringsport. … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptists, state residents step up to help tornado victims
By Message Staff RUSTON – Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, during a press conference in Ruston Thursday, April 25, praised the faith-based community and Louisiana residents for their response in the wake of a tornado that caused significant damage and loss of life in parts of the state. “What we’ve seen up to now in the Ruston area and really all across the state of Louisiana has been Louisianans stepping up and doing what they do best and that is being neighbor to one another,” Edwards said. “Especially the faith based community has been tremendous, the number of groups that are here cooking for first responders and for those whose homes have been damaged.” Edwards arrived in Ruston Thursday afternoon after surveying the damage from the air with Louisiana Tech University President Les Guice, Lincoln Mayor Ronny Walker and Lincoln Parish Sheriff Mike Stone. He described the damage as “more remarkable than it is from the ground. And the damage is extensive.” He urged residents to avoid travel throughout Lincoln Parish and allow emergency officials to assess damage. A curfew is in place from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Ruston. He shared the White House, the state’s entire congressional delegation and the Federal Emergency … [Read more...]
Fund established for damaged LA Tech BCM chapel
By Message Staff RUSTON – A PayPal account has been established to assist in efforts to clean up the chapel at the Louisiana Tech University Baptist Collegiate Ministry, which was damaged after a tornado touched down in Ruston Thursday, April 25. Three oak trees fell on the roof of the building early Thursday. No students were injured at the time of the incident. “There’s a lot of damage in and around our building and the cleanup starts TODAY!” the BCM posted on Facebook. “If you’d like to be a part of the cleanup efforts by giving, here is a link to our BCM PayPal! We will keep you posted on other ways to give & help as the process continues! Thank you for your prayers and any forms of assistance during this time!” Hours after the storm passed through Ruston, students from the Louisiana Tech BCM helped clear the trees and other debris from the building. Louisiana Baptists State BCM Director Mark Robinson was excited to see students respond so quickly to help their BCM in its time of need. Northwestern State BCM Director Bill Collins showed up to assist the students in the clean up efforts. “A reinforcement for your hope in the next generation is playing out today on the Louisiana Tech campus at the BCM,” … [Read more...]
Tornado rips through LA Tech campus and city of Ruston, two confirmed dead
By Message Staff RUSTON – All Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief assessment and chainsaw teams are being activated following a devastating tornado that ripped through Ruston, and parts of Lincoln Parish in the early hours of Thursday, April 25. The tornado which caused two known fatalities and significant structural damaged touched down around 2 a.m. The deadly storm left behind a trail of damage through the Louisiana Tech University campus and in parts of Ruston. Early photos and video shows fallen trees on top of cars, and awnings, canopies and signage strewn throughout. The ground was covered with debris. State Disaster Relief Director Gibbie McMillian told the Baptist Message an incident command center will be operational out of Rolling Hills Ministries in Ruston, and volunteers will be housed at Temple Baptist Church in the city. "We have needs for volunteers who can do chainsaw and rolled roofing, as well as assessors and chainsaws," McMillan said. "Call Rolling Hills or if trained, contact your blue hat and await instructions." Concord Union Baptist Association Director of Missions Barry Joyner said no churches in the association reported damage, but the Baptist Collegiate Ministry's chapel on the Louisiana … [Read more...]
Louisiana House passes constitutional amendment confirming there’s no right to abortion
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