If God’s Word does not have something significant and true to say in New Orleans today, it is not true in the rest of Louisiana tomorrow. If God’s Word does not have something significant and true to say in New Orleans today, it is not true in the rest of Louisiana tomorrow. But God’s Word does have some thing to say in the aftermath of Katrina. God’s Word never fails. It is true in New Orleans today – and in all of Louisiana tomorrow. The Epistle of James gives us the sterling truth that trials and tragedies are tests. We generally do not like tests, but when they come, we are wise to heed carefully what they reveal. For years, the levees that were built to protect New Orleans have been tested, and they failed the tests. People familiar with New Orleans’ position below sea level and the levees that protect it have known that they were not adequate for a Category Four or stronger hurricane. Yet, what the tests revealed was not heeded. All that happened was that different governments argued about whose responsibility it was to strengthen the levees. And then, the test progressed when Katrina burst upon the city as an unwelcome, destructive guest. Would the entities involved be able to move fast enough … [Read more...]

The sound of a trumpet awoke Huey Harris on April 5, 2001, his last night as a drug dealer. Harris says he looked out of his bedroom window in Montgomery, Ala., and saw people of all races running without direction, screaming and crying. The sound of a trumpet awoke Huey Harris on April 5, 2001, his last night as a drug dealer.  Harris says he looked out of his bedroom window in Montgomery, Ala., and saw people of all races running without direction, screaming and crying. Fire appeared to be streaming down from the heavens. Harris felt himself lifted out of his body. “I’m getting ready to destroy this world full of sin,” Harris heard the voice of God telling him. Few believed “Shockey” – as he was known on the street – had truly changed his life, and Harris would have to ignore the taunts of even family and friends as he preached on the same streets he once ruled by intimidation. He would start his own church in Montgomery, and his persistence and testimony would gain national attention, with articles in church publications and appearances on television and at a Billy Graham crusade. On a 90-degree night, the 6-foot-2-inch, 255-pound preacher wipes sweat from his face as he leads Bible study on an asphalt … [Read more...]

If there is a word for what has happened in New Orleans – and elsewhere along the Gulf Coast – during the last 10 days or so, only God knows it. If there is a word for what has happened in New Orleans – and elsewhere along the Gulf Coast – during the last 10 days or so, only God knows it. It does not exist in human language. “Catastrophe.” “Nightmare.” “The perfect storm.” None of them fit. None even come close. There have been other hurricanes. There have been downed trees and powerlines, collapsed buildings and shattered windows, even flooding. But not like this. Even for lifetime South Louisiana natives, this is something on another scale. And there simply are no words. The trees can be cut, the power lines replaced, the buildings and windows restored. Even the flooding can recede and its evidence be erased. But how does one describe the human cost? What word is there for the cries of those in the dark who were trapped and hungry and thirsty and hopeless? What word is there for the suffering children? What word is there for those who waited – and wait still perhaps – unsure if they still had a home? What word is there for those who need not wait, who know their home – and job and … [Read more...]

Hundreds of Louisiana Baptist volunteers are expected to be part of the largest Southern Baptist Disaster Relief operation ever as they serve in the hurricane-ravaged areas of the Gulf Coast. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter Hundreds of Louisiana Baptist volunteers are expected to be part of the largest Southern Baptist Disaster Relief operation ever as they serve in the hurricane-ravaged areas of the Gulf Coast. “Hurricane Katrina has devastated the Gulf Coast in Louisiana, and our neighboring states of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida have been turned upside down with no sign of a return to normalcy in the near future,” said David Hankins, Louisiana Baptist Convention executive director. Hankins urged all Louisiana Baptists to pray for the victims, relief workers and others affected by the killer storm. Furthermore, he added that God still is in control. “May we as his people come together with one voice and lift up all those involved in this disaster so that people not only receive the physical help needed but also the spiritual help and healing that has an eternal impact on their lives,” Hankins emphasized. State officials estimate that it may take months for the affected areas in … [Read more...]

Just 14 weeks after rejecting the idea, Louisiana Baptist Message trustees voted 6-1 in a called meeting on August 30 to dissolve the board of the state newspaper and move the publication back under the control of the convention Executive Board. Just 14 weeks after rejecting the idea, Louisiana Baptist Message trustees voted 6-1 in a called meeting on August 30 to dissolve the board of the state newspaper and move the publication back under the control of the convention Executive Board. The move still must be approved by two-thirds of Louisiana Baptist Convention messengers at the annual fall meeting in November. But if that necessary vote is forthcoming, the Baptist Message will dissolve as a corporation and move within the state convention on Jan. 1, 2006. At that time, it is likely current Oklahoma Baptist Messenger Editor John Yeats will assume editorship of the newspaper. Current Editor Lynn P. Clayton has set his retirement for Dec. 31, 2005. Yeats is scheduled to be proposed as director of communications for the Louisiana Baptist Convention at the September meeting of the state Executive Board. If all holds to approved form, the Baptist Message will become a part of that communications division, … [Read more...]

Louisiana College trustees approved a new policy on academic freedom last week, following a process intended to address accreditation concerns. Louisiana College trustees approved a new policy on academic freedom last week, following a process intended to address accreditation concerns. The new policy is longer than the previous one – and more detailed. It defines academic freedom and outlines specific ways it will be implemented at the school. Essentially, academic freedom is defined as the “right of each member of the academic community to pursue free and responsible inquiry within the mission of Louisiana College.” Later, the policy adds, “Academic freedom is afforded to every member of the academic community and is always found within the context of the standards or norms of the institution. ... Louisiana College and its faculty recognize the Lordship of Christ and seek its meaning in each academic discipline. Academic freedom, then flows out of the deep sense of responsibility and professional preparation that mark the Christian faculty member.” A historical background section expounds on the idea by noting the policy continues to be based on historic 1940 principles and on the traditional … [Read more...]

When seminary students James and Pamela Thompson evacuated their New Orleans apartment Aug. 27, the couple never dreamed they would be the parents of a baby girl less than 24 hours later. When seminary students James and Pamela Thompson evacuated their New Orleans apartment Aug. 27, the couple never dreamed they would be the parents of a baby girl less than 24 hours later. “Being from Florida, we’d been through hurricanes,” says Pamela Thompson, who attends New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary along with her husband. “We just weren’t expecting to have a baby during a hurricane.” The couple’s story began when the seminary ordered a mandatory evacuation as Hurricane Katrina approached on Aug. 27. Instead of checking into a New Orleans-area hospital to ride out the storm, the couple researched their lodging options in other cities. Hotels in Jackson, Miss., and Monroe were booked, so they traveled four hours that afternoon to Alexandria. By the time they reached the central Louisiana town, Thompson began experiencing labor pains and checked into Rapides Regional Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The next morning, Pamela and James Thompson called their parents, who all attend the same Florida church. … [Read more...]

Former President George H.W. Bush is set to be the featured speaker for Louisiana College’s centennial celebration on Oct. 26, 2006. Former President George H.W. Bush is set to be the featured speaker for Louisiana College’s centennial celebration on Oct. 26, 2006. “The opportunity to have President George Herbert Walker Bush is an indescribable event in the life of Louisiana College,” LC President Joe Aguillard said. “His presence on our campus endorses the values and belief system that our college is pledged to fulfill and marks the first time in our 100-year history that a United States president has graced our institution in this capacity.” Bush is set to address the Louisiana College student body at a weekly chapel service and to address a scholarship luncheon in Alexandria as well. Aguillard described Bush’s scheduled visit “one of many miraculous events occurring on our campus, a priceless gift to our student body and an acknowledgement of God’s grace over our campus.” Trustee Chair Tim Johnson of Choudrant said, “This will truly be a red-letter day for Louisiana College. “For nearly a century, Louisiana College has prepared young men and women intellectually and spiritually to minister to the … [Read more...]

Norris Landry remembers a call he received one morning – from a friend he had not seen or spoken to in 25 years. Note: As part of the annual Week of Prayer for State Missions and the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering (September 18-25), the Baptist Message is presenting reports on ongoing missions work across Louisiana. Information for the articles has been provided by the Louisiana Baptist Women’s Missions and Ministry Team. Norris Landry remembers a call he received one morning – from a friend he had not seen or spoken to in 25 years. The man had heard Landry’s voice on the radio and recognized his old friend. He located the number for the program and called his old acquaintance. In a nutshell, that is the power of the French radio ministry Louisiana Baptists have conducted for 60 years. On a regular basis throughout the year, Louisiana Baptists broadcast the French Baptist Hour on six stations throughout South Louisiana and on one station in the Nova Scotia area of Canada. The objective is two-fold – to share the gospel in the French language to Louisiana residents who still speak the language and to encourage French-speaking believers to engage in evangelism with their friends and … [Read more...]

Fred Luter Jr. no longer has a home or the church building where he has preached since 1986. The New Orleans pastor also has no idea where most of his flock is, nor many of his friends and family. Fred Luter Jr. no longer has a home or the church building where he has preached since 1986. The New Orleans pastor also has no idea where most of his flock is, nor many of his friends and family. But one still finds the pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans preaching a message of encouragement. Last week, he kept an appointment to preach at a chapel service at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While there, he met with family, friends and even members of his church that he had not seen since the storm. Luter and his wife left Louisiana on a previously-planned trip to Arkansas just as Hurricane Katrina drew a bead on New Orleans. They expected to be gone only a matter of days and took along only a few articles of clothing. As for his 7,000 church members, Luter said he has had contact with only about 100 of them since Katrina. “I miss them; I just don’t know where they are,” he said. For a time, Luter said he felt fear as his city flooded. But then, he said he sensed a rebuke and a … [Read more...]