By Gevan Spinney, Pastor of First Baptist Church Haughton and President of the Louisiana Baptist Convention HAUGHTON – Has anyone ever taken something “from” you? This is one of two important questions enmeshed in the Easter story. WHAT WAS TAKEN? Have you ever found yourself looking for something you cherished only to realize you are a victim of theft, left with an empty feeling in the pit of your stomach as a vivid reminder of being violated in your personal space? All four Gospel writers introduce us to a man who is guilty of impacting individuals just this way. Matthew described him as a “notorious criminal”; John simply called him a “robber”; Mark and Luke said he was incarcerated for murder. But despite such descriptions and the obvious importance of the role Barabbas played in the passion story, the Gospels share little else about the man. As soon as he steps onto the pages of the Bible he steps off, and we never hear about him again. It’s possible to make some assumptions from his name – in particular that he came from a religious family. Bar – meaning “son of”, and Abba – which translates as “father,” could suggest his parents loved God so much they named him “the son of the Father.” But, … [Read more...]

By Jake Roudkovski, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary NEW ORLEANS -- Someone has said, “Young may die, old must die, but all will die.” You don’t have to be a statistical genius to know that one out of every one person on earth dies. That’s why as we celebrate Easter this year, we should remember that the resurrection of Jesus Christ provides each of us victory over death. In our celebration of the risen Savior, we are celebrating our victory over death. In perhaps the most extensive chapter in the entire Bible on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its impact upon humanity, the apostle Paul proclaims, “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:56-57). In my study of the epic chapter on the resurrection of Jesus, I counted the word “death” appearing twenty-five times. In highlighting every mention of death in the chapter, I was reminded of my own mortality and a story that I read about two teenagers who were discussing death. One commented, “Wouldn’t it be neat to know the time and the place that you are going to die?” But the other responded with a bewildered look, “What good would it do?” The … [Read more...]

HAMMOND (BP) -- When flood victim Lynell Davis walked into the Southern Baptist Incident Command Center at Woodlawn Park Baptist Church, long-time Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer Marlene Thompson could see that he was distraught. "He looked like he hadn't slept in days," said Thompson of Colyell. "He sat down and was shaking, said he hadn't had food." The volunteers at Woodlawn Park in Hammond provided Davis with food, and then began the process of completing forms for disaster relief team members to clean his flooded home. "He gave me his paperwork and I was able to file his insurance in 15 minutes," Thompson said. "He sat there and wept." Davis told Thompson that he had cried out for God's help all night. "He sent me here, and you were able to help me," Davis said. That evening, he would profess faith in Jesus Christ. With widespread flooding across Louisiana, Davis represents just one homeowner SBDR will help. With an estimated 5,000 homes damaged in Louisiana, Davis' story will likely repeat many more times. "This is growing by the hour," said David Abernathy, the Louisiana Baptist Convention's (LBC) Disaster Relief incident commander. "We're finding a lot of damage in rural parishes, which have … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor It has been a long two weeks for Louisiana and its residents. Perhaps some of the toughest encountered in more than 25 years. First there was the rain. More than two feet fell in three days in the north central and northeast corner of Louisiana followed by historic flash flooding. After the rain, came the flooding. Rapidly rising floodwaters made roadways impassable, trapping people who had to be rescued, flooded numerous homes, businesses and vehicles and washed away roads and highways. Now begins the cleanup and recovery efforts. With the rain gone temporarily -- severe storms are forecasted for Wednesday and Thursday -- and with some rivers having crested and actually beginning to fall slowly, people’s attention have turned to cleanup and recovery. For the people in the affected areas, they are well aware of what has taken place. But outside the state there has been little or no mention of the severity of the disaster. “There really has been little mentioned about what is going on here,” said Ron Earley, a member of Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia Disaster Relief and a veteran of disaster relief work. “People don’t know or don’t realize the amount of … [Read more...]

Late nights and long days have been the norm lately for Lisa Muth. A member of East Leesville Baptist Church in Leesville, Muth has been helping at the incident command center at her church since last week. On Monday evening, she did not leave the church until 9 pm. The prior week, Muth left at 6 pm. Muth said despite the long days, all of the disaster relief volunteers are thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Louisiana. “That’s our mission first, (to put) Christ first,” Muth said. “These people’s lives and homes may be in ruins now, but without Christ they will go to hell. That’s a blessing to share that. Teams are doing that now.” https://youtu.be/nWFyuy6rx8E … [Read more...]

Ron Earley, who is from Virginia and drove 22 hours over two days to get to Louisiana, has been a part of numerous responses to disaster since he began serving as a Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team member in 2005. From the flooding disasters from Katrina to Maine to Colorado, Earley, who just starting his five day shift, said he has noticed something that’s unusual compared to most disasters in which he has responded. “A lot of times in disaster, neighbors won’t pull together,” said Earley, a member of the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia Disaster Relief team. “They will wait for help to come in. It hasn’t been the case here. Neighbors are helping neighbors and I am amazed how people are pulling together here.” Early has been joined by other SBC volunteers of Virginia as well as volunteers from Louisiana, Tennessee and Illinois helping victims in the surrounding area. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBNf_HdNZRg … [Read more...]

By Message Staff Help is rolling into Louisiana. Almost two weeks after storms dumped more than two feet of rain in areas of the state and caused the worst flooding seen in Louisiana in more than 25 years, units from 12 states have arrived to lend a helping hand. One such Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team from Arkansas along with a couple of disaster relief team members from First Baptist Church in Pineville spent Tuesday morning preparing 850 meals for those affected by the flooding in central Louisiana. Stationed at Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church in Alexandria, the team is working through March 28 there. Ed Whitson, a member of the Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief team from Arkadelphia, Ark., told the Baptist Message this is their passion and mission to those hurting after the flooding. "As Baptists, this is part of our mission," Whitson said, "to serve in any place in need and get the word out about our Savior." Jamie Stansell, a member at First Pineville, was helping the team from Arkansas prepare a meal of salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls. He enjoyed meeting the team from Arkansas and serving those in his own area who had been affected by the flooding. "I've been trained before … [Read more...]

IN REMEMBERANCE Bill Hines of Coushatta passed away March 3 at the age of 90. Memorial services were held at First Baptist Church of Coushatta with Lee Dickson and Billy Burkett officiating. Interment was at Springville Cemetery in Coushatta. He was a graduate of William Jewel University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reared in a Christian home, he began his ministry in youth-led revivals at the age of 19 and actively served the Lord for over 70 years until his passing 9 days after his 90th birthday. He was a great minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for over 70 years, with 38 of those years being served among the churches of the District Eight Baptist Convention. He was president of District Eight for four terms, and was still a faithful pastor at the time of his home-going. Preceding him in death were his parents and one brother, Bobby Hines. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jeanette; five children, Ginny Hines; Gene Hines and wife, Diane; Gerry Camp and husband, Richard; Joy Dowden and husband, Chris; Jennifer Moore and husband, Mark; and 10 grandchildren. Ernest Julius [E.J.] Bradshaw of Leesville passed away March 6 at the age of 89. Services were held at East Leesville Baptist Church with his … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Nearly two weeks after historic flooding has ravaged many parts of the state, both Southern Baptist and Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief units and a growing number of volunteers continue tireless working to help rebuild lives and give hope found through Jesus. Since the flooding began, churches at 12 locations --  First Baptist Church in Haughton, North Monroe Baptist Church, First Baptist Church in Farmerville, East Leesville Baptist Church, Pinehill Baptist Church in Leesville, Cross Roads Baptist Church in Vinton, Westside Baptist Church in Natchitoches, Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church in Alexandria, Trinity Baptist Church in Franklinton, Woodland Park Baptist Church in Hammond, First Baptist Church in Bogalusa and Rolling Hills Ministries in Ruston -- have served as staging areas for Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief operations. Volunteers from 13 states so far have responded. John Cowling with Rolling Hills Ministries said multiple opportunities for service are available and volunteers needed. "Those who are wanting to serve can visit one of these locations and they will plug them into serving beside a trained Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer," he said. With … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LC communications PINEVILLE (LCNews) - In one of the best attended preview days in the history of Louisiana College, more than 100 prospective students visited the Pineville campus March 19, tripling the event’s attendance from a year previous. Representing private, public and home schools, the multi-ethnic group came from four states: Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana. “Preview Day was a success not just because we had a record number of attendees, but because we are expanding the scope of Christian Liberal Arts education,” said Brandon Bannon, vice president for enrollment management. “Today’s parents and students seek a college, where the education is relational, relevant and rigorous, and they are discovering Louisiana College to be that school,” LC President Rick Brewer said. “Indeed, we are preparing students not just for a degree, job or career, but for life.” About 30 who registered for the event did not attend, but LC is reaching out to them with an invitation to the college’s annual Cochon de Lait, April 23. … [Read more...]