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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Disaster Relief efforts foster racial unity

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – While racial tensions continue to claim national headlines, the multi-state disaster relief response to one of the largest hurricanes ever to make landfall in the country is serving as an opportunity to build goodwill between ethnic groups in storm-affected parts of Louisiana. Hurricane Laura came ashore in the state with 150 mph winds and maintained its ferocity far inland, with tropical storm winds of 50 mph, gusting to 85 mph, recorded in Alexandria, about 130 miles north from where the eye of the storm struck the coast. The winds knocked out power to 579,000 homes and businesses in the state, but the total devastation in terms of lost homes and businesses has not yet been tallied. In Central Louisiana, comprising 10 parishes, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief, alone, has received 900 calls for help regarding damaged homes and property during the first week after the storm. The enormous response, especially by a predominately white Southern Baptist Disaster Relief organization, has alleviated many physical needs, but it also has brought some racial healing. MAGNOLIA STATE CONVERT Bob Thomas, a member of Highland Baptist Church in Senatobia, … [Read more...]

After Laura, Horeb Baptist helps rebuild Dry Creek Baptist Camp that hosted them after Katrina

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer DRY CREEK, La. (LBM) - The winds still were howling as Hurricane Laura blew through Dry Creek Baptist Camp Thursday morning, Aug. 27,  when Camp Director Todd Burnaman fielded a welcomed phone call from Horeb Baptist Church in Gretna asking how they could lend assistance. Horeb Baptist, a Hispanic congregation that stayed at the camp 33 days when they evacuated during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, was excited about the chance to repay them for their kindness. The group of more than 30, along with staff from a camp operated by Florida College in Tampa, Florida, helped clear trees and other debris on the property during Labor Day weekend. “We’ve remained good friends with Horeb Baptist 15 years later and they have been a part of the Dry Creek family since,” Burnaman told the Baptist Message. “When Pastor David Rodriguez was on the line the Thursday of the storm asking if they could come I didn’t hesitate to tell him to come on.” Emilio Lora, pastor of Horeb’s Chalmette campus, said the members were honored to return. “It was such a blessing to have the opportunity to serve the Lord and the Dry Creek people,” he said. “What a great time we had being with them again.” More than … [Read more...]

Laura’s toll includes 140 Louisiana Baptist churches

By John Kyle, Louisiana Baptist director of communications ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- A little more than a week after slamming the Louisiana coast, it is obvious Hurricane Laura’s 140 miles per hour, Category 4, winds considered nothing sacred, including houses of worship. Numerous reports have shed light on the hundreds of thousands of Louisianans left without power and water. Power companies have indicated it may be weeks, or longer, before power is restored to certain areas. Likewise, many communities remain under a boil advisory and cars are lined up to receive bottled water and ice from the National Guard and various non-profit groups, including Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams. However, perhaps as devastating to the state is the destruction to houses of worship, which often are central to the lives of thousands in a community. According to John Hebert, director of missions and ministries for Louisiana Baptists, approximately 107 Louisiana Baptist churches have sustained damage from minor to catastrophic – and some may not open their doors again. “We’ve seen reports indicating as many as 140 churches sustained damage of some nature, but we’ve been able to address some of those needs which has brought the … [Read more...]

Ready or not? Georgia Barnette Offering makes a difference in disaster relief!

By LBC Communications Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBC Comm) -- A popular insurance jingle begins with “like a good neighbor …” According to John Hebert, Director of Missions and Ministries for Louisiana Baptists, gifts through the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering enable Louisiana Baptists to be good neighbors to people across the state, especially in times of disaster. “The lady behind the yellow disaster relief shirts is Georgia Barnette,” Hebert explained. “Our state missions offering supports disaster relief training and relief efforts throughout the year.” Likewise, Steve Horn, Executive Director for Louisiana Baptists, noted that Louisiana Baptists were ready for Hurricane Laura before she made landfall in southwest Louisiana. “Every fall, Louisiana Baptist churches collect an offering designated for missions and ministries in Louisiana. These gifts provide the foundation of our relief efforts so when a storm such as Laura hits, we can immediately respond.” In 2019, Louisiana Baptists not only responded to need within the borders of the state, but also in Cape Cod and the Bahamas. “Hurricane Dorian decimated the Bahamas last year. Thanks to volunteers and assistance from the Georgia Barnette Offering, … [Read more...]

U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham visits Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Command Center

By Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Congressman Ralph Abraham made a surprise visit on his tour of Louisiana to assess damage and the many corresponding relief efforts, stopping in Alexandria to encourage volunteers at the Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Command Center. Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist Church, dropped off donations of bottled water, and took a look at the operations hub. But he spent most of his time encouraging the disaster relief workers who provide support to volunteer field teams by taking calls for help, ordering food, water and ice for distribution, and, coordinating the overall efforts of the multi-state response of Baptists. “I want to thank you for all you’re doing for Louisiana,” Abraham told the group. “Everyone sees the teams in the field serving meals and clearing trees, but few know about the behind-the-scenes support like this that run such a large operation across the state. “Keep the faith. God is working through you,” he added. The center, which now occupies the offices of the Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry Team department, coordinates the Louisiana Baptist and other state Baptist disaster relief efforts in the state. As of Sept. 2, the date of the congressman’s … [Read more...]

Ohio man drives to Louisiana with special delivery for disaster relief

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer KOLIN, La. (LBM) – Evan Amsden of Anna, Ohio, originally hoped to raise enough money to purchase 128 cases of much-needed bottled water for delivery to Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams, but by the end of the weekend God had nearly tripled his goal, providing enough funds to buy 383 cases, and a donation of 10,000 Gospel tracts. Seventy-six of these cases were the result of another unexpected donation during a weekend stay in Magnolia, Miss. Amsden, who left Anna Saturday morning, Aug. 30, and arrived in Kolin the following afternoon after staying the night with a family in Mississippi, told the Baptist Message he prays the Gospel tracts that will accompany distribution of the water will lead to someone trusting Jesus Christ as their Savior. “I want all these people who are hurting from this disaster to not only get physical water, but 'The Living Water,'” he said. “Ultimately, if they don’t hear about Jesus Christ then giving them a bottled water doesn’t do a lot in the long run. Physical relief is temporary, but if they don’t receive eternal relief, they have gained the world but lost their soul.” Amsden, a member of the non-denominational church In Christ Alone of West … [Read more...]

Despite power loss, Esler Baptist feeds community

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) - A loss of electricity may have prevented Esler Baptist Church in Pineville from holding services Sunday, Aug. 30, but the setback did not hamper their efforts to bless neighbors with a community meal. Twenty of Esler’s 90 members prepared a burger lunch, using gas grills, to 320 people who came from as far as 20 miles away. Additionally, a representative from the Salvation Army picked up 45 of the meals for individuals staying at a shelter. Pastor Joshua Timothy said his members were able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to people looking for encouragement. “We have a lot of people in our area who are struggling,” Timothy told the Baptist Message. “Right now, more than ever, we need to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding. My church once again stepped up and saw an opportunity to serve those in need.” This Saturday, the members plan to cook lunch again, this time a spaghetti meal at Comrade Baptist Church in Simpson, which sustained damage to the roof and inside the facilities. Jennifer Quebodeaux, a member of Esler and co-organizer, expects her church to be just as enthusiastic at Comrade as they were during Sunday’s outreach. “It was really nice to see … [Read more...]

Long-time pastor Hernandez-Reanas passes away at 66

FOREST, La. – Isidro Hernandez-Reanas, pastor of Spanish Mission Baptist Church in Forest, died Monday, Aug. 31 at the age of 66. Born May 5, 1954, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Hernandez-Reanas, served as a pastor of Spanish Mission Baptist since Oct. 6, 2001. Funeral services for Hernandez-Reanas are Saturday, Sept. 5, 2 p.m. at Forest Baptist Church. Visitation is Friday, Sept. 4, 3 to 8 p.m. at Cox Funderal Home in Oak Grove, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Forest Baptist. He is survived by his wife, Bertilia, of 45 years, daughter, Maria Del Carmen Hernandez of Forest; daughter, Elda Karina Hernandez of Forest; brother, Demetrio Hernandez of San Pedro Sula, Honduras; sister, Dolores Hernandez of Villa Nueza, Honduras; and brother, Teodoro Hernandez of San Pedro Sula, Honduras; and multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren. … [Read more...]

Sen. Kennedy encourages DR workers, pledges support for impacted parishes

By Baptist Message staff LEESVILLE, La. (LBM) - Sen. John Kennedy made a brief stop Tuesday at East Leesville Baptist Church, where he encouraged Southern Baptist Disaster Relief workers and pledged to get President Donald Trump to expand the list of parishes eligible for federal assistance from damage caused by Hurricane Laura. In an interview with the Baptist Message, Kennedy said the storm had impacted a more than 400-mile area and the impacted parishes deserve to receive federal FEMA assistance. Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Ouachita, Vermilion and Vernon parishes have already qualified for assistance that can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property loss, and other programs to assist businesses and individuals as they get to bounce back from Laura. “We are going to get Rapides, we are going to get Grant, we are going to get LaSalle,” Kennedy said. “And I’ve already told them that the president’s promised. “We are waiting paperwork from the state,” he continued. “But I’ve already told Pete Gaynor, the head of FEMA, I said Pete don’t take this the wrong way but I’m going to chase you like a hog from Hades until you declare all of the … [Read more...]