By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - Toni McFadden, who chose to have an abortion as a teenager, shared with approximately 800 guests gathered at the CENLA Pregnancy Center’s Gift of Life banquet that Christ brought her on a path of healing and eventual restoration with her child’s father. The sixth annual event, Sept. 17, was held in the Randolph Riverfront Center. “If I could spare any woman from going through what I went through, it’s worth it for me to share because I want fewer stories like mine,” McFadden told the crowd. “I’m so thankful I have a beautiful ending only because of Jesus, but if I can spare women from having to go through that, this is why it’s worth it for me.” McFadden, who authored “Redeemed: My Journey After Abortion,” shared how her boyfriend broke up with her after the abortion, only to come to her and apologize nine years later. Soon after, the two married and now have four children. Even though she does not forget about her child who was aborted, she is grateful God has redeemed her through Christ. “We’ve been married for 16 years, and on our wedding day, we were able to honor our unborn baby,” she said. “We let our guests know that we were lighting … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13 CENTER POINT, La. (LBM) – Just four years ago, Hopewell Baptist Church was down to 15 in worship when Ricky Belgard felt led to accept God’s call to become pastor. Reluctant at first to leave his position as prayer minister with Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville, Belgard instead chose to put aside his security and join God in an adventure that eventually led to a prolonged season of revival and a drastic increase in worship attendance, decisions for Christ and baptisms. “I had told (PBC Pastor) Philip Robertson I’d be there with him ‘til I died,” Belgard told the Baptist Message. “You probably shouldn’t say that because God has a tendency to change your thinking and change your mind for you. We preached that first seriice, and the power of God just moved and fell in that place. What was meant to be just a few months turned into something that has continued and we continue to see God move.” PRAYER MOVEMENT Belgard, who became pastor in October 2020, preached for the first six months on prayer. Additionally, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – A field at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center was transformed into a bazooka battlefield for 23 individuals with special needs during the fourth annual Champions Camp, Sept. 6-8. The campers, accompanied by 30 “buddies” and staff, did their best to dodge nerf rockets that were fired from air launchers. Among those campers was Matthew Otto, a member of Christ’s Community Church, Denham Springs. “I really loved all of it,” Otto, who attended his first Champions Camp, told the Baptist Message. “I’m loving the chance to shoot the balls and I’m very excited about singing some Sesame Street songs later during the karaoke party. This weekend has been one of my favorite times of my life.” Jon Johnston, Christ’s Community Church, was a “buddy” to Otto. He enjoyed the chance to share Christ with him. “It's an opportunity for us to get guys like Matthew and whole bunch of other folks that wouldn't normally be able to go to a camp to experience this,” he said. “We can serve them and best of all tell them about Jesus while we have lots of fun.” The Louisiana Baptist summer camp for people with special needs matched participants with buddies who … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Several sites have been established for Disaster Relief operations that could begin as soon as this weekend in response to Hurricane Francine. According to Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Associate Mark Morelock, sites that will prepare food for those impacted by the recent hurricane are: Williams Boulevard Baptist Church, Kenner (manned by Rolling Hills Ministry, Ruston) First Baptist Church, New Orleans (manned by First Baptist Church, Slidell); and Renew Church, Baton Rouge (a partnership between LBDR and the Salvation Army that will also include volunteers from the Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief who will prepare and deliver food to Morgan City and Houma). Additionally, First Baptist Church, Morgan City (manned by Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief) will be a site for mud-out and chainsaw operations. Assessments are ongoing. Texans on Mission will support DR efforts in Louisiana by providing a generator and fuel to impacted areas. “Pray for power restoration, especially when AC is not working inside homes,” Morelock said. “Pray for volunteers’ safety and decisiveness. And, pray that our teams can be used to proclaim the Gospel.” Donations are needed … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Hours after Francine moved through the state, Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn shared several prayer requests for those impacted and those Disaster Relief teams who be serving those in southeast Louisiana in the coming days. “We are gathering information this morning regarding the places of greatest need,” Horn said in a statement to the Baptist Message. “While we are thankful that things are not as bad as they could be, we are aware of several churches that have been damaged. We already know that some churches that were impacted by Ida in 2021 are damaged again.  We are especially heartbroken for these communities. “While we continue to assess damage and gather information, please be in prayer for first responders,” he said. “Second, pray for those who are mobilizing to officially respond as part of SBC and LBC Disaster Relief teams. “Finally, I would remind all Louisiana Baptists of what I read in Scripture this morning about the promised Messiah as recorded in Isaiah 9:7. ‘He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.’ We read this not as prophecy, but as fulfillment. He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff MORGAN CITY, La, (LBM) — Hurricane Francine made landfall as a Category 2 storm Wednesday afternoon in Terrebonne Parish, about 30 miles southwest of Morgan City, according to the National Hurricane Center, and weakened to a Category 1 hurricane two hours after it moved inland. At 4 a.m., Francine was 60 miles north of New Orleans and was headed north toward Jackson, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee. The National Weather Service reported that 4-9 inches had fallen across southeast Louisiana between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting flash flood warning to be issued in many areas. A storm surge warning was in effect from Grand Isle to the Mississippi-Alabama border. Recorded wind gusts include 97 mph in Dulac and 105 mph on Eugene Island. More than 388,000 customers in Louisiana were in the dark as of 5:30 a.m. Thursday, according to poweroutage.us. Early reports of damage to churches included Christ Baptist Church, Houma, which lost some of its roof due to high winds; and Celebration Church, Metairie, St. Rose Community Church, and GracePoint Church, Destrehan, which had some flooding inside their facilities. "We're praying for safety for people here in greater New Orleans," Watson said … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – With the Gulf Coast region closely monitoring Francine, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams have activated an incident management team and placed its teams on standby. According to LBDR Strategist Stan Statham, the organization is working with the American Red Cross and Salvation Army to coordinate any needed mass feeding operations and Baptist conventions in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas are on standby to assist Louisiana’s teams. “Pray for that storm to dissipate,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “Obviously, that would be the best thing for everybody involved. Pray, a lot of our own DR volunteers who are in the path of this storm and that makes it even more difficult. Some of our most dedicated folks are in the path of the storm, and the good news is we have a lot of help outside our state available, so that’s a blessing. “Pray for volunteers traveling,” he continued. “And pray that we’re able to secure equipment that we need.” Francine, which formed into a tropical storm Monday morning and the following evening was upgraded to a hurricane, is expected to make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane sometime late Wednesday, though forecasters have stressed … [Read more...]