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By Baptist Message staff   ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—State convention leaders are asking Louisiana Baptists as well as the larger Southern Baptist family to pray for and partner with congregations who have been devastated by Hurricane Ida.   The storm wreaked havoc in New Orleans but caused severe damage in Houma, Thibodaux, Cut Off, South Lafourche, Larose, Laplace and many more small communities. Just among Louisiana Baptists, 91 churches were seriously impacted, with 22 experiencing catastrophic losses. At least 85 pastors are facing significant personal property replacement costs for cars, homes and belongings, according to Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief reports.   Steve Horn, Louisiana Baptist Convention executive director, told the Baptist Message that these churches and pastors “have a tough path ahead.”   “Some of these churches do not have the resources to carry wind and hail coverage on their property because it is so expensive near the coastal areas,” he explained. “Therefore, they don’t have insurance funds to repair and restore their churches.”   Yet, he added, while they are recovering, “they still are ministering to – assisting others – in their communities.”    Horn called on individuals and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Pro-life supporters have a chance to be part of modern-day miracles taking place through the CENLA Pregnancy Center, former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson said during the center’s annual Gift of Life Banquet, Sept. 14. “Everyday miracles are taking place at CENLA Pregnancy Center,” Johnson told a crowd of nearly 900 gathered inside the Randolph Riverfront Center. “Every time a woman walks in and she hears about the Lord, it’s a miracle. Every time a mother walks in and learns how to be a better mom, what to expect when she is pregnant, when she has a baby, that’s a miracle. There are miracles taking place every single day here in your community. And what an amazing opportunity it is that you get to be a part of those miracles, that you get to invest in the miracles that God is doing right here in your community. Johnson was the keynote speaker for the fundraiser, which netted $363,713.77 for the CENLA Pregnancy Center. The event also featured remarks by other pro-life advocates, musical entertainment by a Louisiana College graduate who now is a Southern Gospel recording artist in Nashville, Tenn., and an announcement that the center … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff GOLDEN MEADOW, La. (LBM) - Ice was no where to be found in Golden Meadow, Sept. 1, three days after Hurricane Ida. So, Pastor Shane Terrebonne lifted a request to God, believing. Moments later, just as he said "amen," a truck arrived at Gulf Coast Baptist Church with two bags of ice. He had not met the driver before and has not seen him since, causing Terrebonne to describe the incident was an example of God’s faithfulness. “God is on time, every time when you need Him,” Terrebonne said. “And He answers prayer.” Terrebonne added his thanks for the ongoing prayers from churches and their encouragement to his congregation as they continue to minister to the community. “God uses his people to show love to those who need it,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the prayers and support from other churches, we would have a more difficult time doing ministry.” … [Read more...]

Following chapel, Sept. 14, Louisiana College President Rick Brewer joined Jeff Iorg, president, Gateway Seminary in Ontario, California, in signing a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions that will allow LC students to apply college credits to their first year of studies with this Southern  Baptist Convention supported seminary. … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) - Chad Gilbert has been extremely busy the last 12 months. Not only did he accept the call to move from Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles as associate pastor of missions and evangelism to serve as pastor of First Baptist Church in New Orleans Jan. 3, but he has been instrumental in the coordination of relief responses to three major hurricanes that have hit Louisiana since August 2020. Gilbert was at the forefront of relief efforts following Hurricanes Laura and Delta as Trinity Baptist became a hub for disaster relief in Lake Charles. Then, 10 months after Delta, Gilbert found himself yet again leading another disaster relief response, this time at First Baptist New Orleans. “God knew what was coming to this region and I hope he has used me to be helpful to the community,” Gilbert told the Baptist Message. “I learned so much from Gibbie McMillan, former state Disaster Relief coordinator and present Louisiana Disaster Relief Coordinator Stan Statham, who were in the thick of it at Trinity along with Pastor Steve James and Greg Bath. We went through an intense training program at Trinity and applied it here.” Since opening their campus to DR operations, FBC New … [Read more...]

By Message staff DENHAM SPRINGS, La. (LBM) – Don Hoy, pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Denham Springs, died Thursday, Sept. 9 from complications related to COVID-19. Hoy, 63, served in ministry for more than 40 years with the last 10 years at Southside Baptist. Before coming to Southside, he was pastor of Brookstown Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Faith Baptist Church in Livingston, Shady Grove Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, Miss., Clear Branch Baptist Church in Wesson, Miss., and Lucian Baptist Church in Brookhaven, Miss. He previously was music and youth minister at Eden Baptist Church in Denham Springs and youth minister at First Baptist Church in Gretna. Hoy also was involved in ministry away from Southside Baptist as state chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol and chaplain for Bridgeway Hospice. He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel, and is survived by Susan, his wife of 42 years, Susan Avants Hoy; son, Steven (Kayla) Hoy, daughter, Stephanie (Perry) Bayly, and five grandchildren. The family welcomes friends to a visitation Friday, Sept. 17, from 5-8 p.m. at Southside Baptist Church, 7572 Vincent Road in Denham Springs and Sept. 18 from 9-10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Denham Springs, 27735 Hwy 16 in … [Read more...]

By Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - Despite difficulties faced in the days after Hurricane Ida, Louisiana Baptists can find encouragement in answered prayers and many who are turning to Christ, Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn said in a video released to the Baptist Message. “It’s hard to be in despair when you see God at work,” Horn said in the video. “Be encouraged today. We might be hard pressed but we are not in despair.” For more information on giving or volunteer opportunities in southeast Louisiana, visit louisianabaptists.org. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jCP5y7Y17GI&feature=youtu.be … [Read more...]