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...]
LSU BCM DR team serves community and one of their own in Longville
By Baptist Message Staff LONGVILLE, La. (LBM) - Taylor Moses and her family were still trying to pick up the pieces from the damage Hurricane Laura caused to their home and barn in Longville when fellow LSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry members arrived on Saturday, with chainsaws and Christ’s love. A few hours later, the team helped clear debris and gave the family much needed encouragement to press forward. “For years, I’ve been going with (campus BCM director) Steve (Masters), the BCM and churches to do disaster relief but I never thought I would have to do it on my own home,” Moses told the Baptist Message. “They showed me and my family what an active faith looks like, and have done what would’ve taken us days if not weeks to finish by ourselves. I couldn’t be more grateful for them and their servant hearted mindset.” More than 70 LSU BCM students and 15 adult volunteers from Istrouma Baptist Church, Progression Church, Living Hope Church, Renew Church, Woodlawn Baptist Church and Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge on Saturday removed trees and debris from nine different homes in Lake Charles, Longville and Moss Bluff. The team included 15 international students from seven countries. “They spent the day working hard … [Read more...]
Donations needed for disaster relief operations
ALEXANDRIA, La. – Multiple items are needed by Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams as they assist individuals in areas impacted by Hurricane Laura. These include: - Mops - Brooms - One gallon sized pump sprayers - Half gallon sized bleach - Five gallon size buckets - Rags - Brushes for cleaning - Soap - Rubber gloves - Hand sanitizer - Lysol or Pine-Sol - Bottled water - Tarps Donated items can be dropped off at the following locations: - First Baptist Church, Lafayette - First Baptist Church, Berwick - Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles - Rolling Hills Ministries, Ruston - District Eight Baptist Convention office, Natchitoches - Louisiana Baptist Building, Alexandria (leave supplies on the back dock Weekdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For additional information or to donate towards relief efforts, visit LouisianaBaptists.org/drupdates. … [Read more...]
Churches persevere, hold services on first post-Laura Sunday
By Baptist Message staff CALCASIEU PARISH, La. (LBM) -- Louisiana Baptist churches damaged by Hurricane Laura may not have been able to gather in their worship centers on Sunday, but the powerful storm did not prevent them from meeting in other ways. In an emotional Facebook Live message, from inside French Corner Baptist Church in Ponchatoula, Pastor Bobby Daniels told his members of the First Baptist Church, Vinton, that God is in control. The church's facilities sustained significant roof damage and took in some water as Laura passed through Vinton Thursday. Citing 1 Kings 19, Daniels said the prophet Elijah was afraid and ran, only to find that God was with him in a still, small voice. He encouraged his congregation to listen to God and act upon His leading in the weeks and months ahead. “As a church we are going to be better,” he said. “As a community we are going to be better. As a people of faith we are going to be better. “Our faith is going to be pushed to the edge,” he continued. “But we are going to get through this.” Around 40 members of the East Leesville Baptist Church gathered for an outdoor worship service on the front lawn. The congregation was unable to meet indoors because of some water damage. The … [Read more...]
Are you praising God through the storm?
By Stewart Holloway PINEVILLE, La. - On Aug. 26, 1992, Hurricane Andrew slammed into Louisiana after ripping through Southern Florida a couple of days before. I was a junior in high school more interested about getting a few days out of school than anything else. I had no idea how transformational that week would become for me. My home church agreed to become a hurricane shelter, and people flooded in, primarily from Franklin, LA, many from the same African American church. People found places to sleep everywhere throughout the church from the pews to Sunday School classrooms. One family was even in the pastor’s office because we were without a pastor at the time. Many of our church members worked tirelessly feeding and caring for the evacuees. The transformational moment for me happened the night Andrew made landfall. The evacuees and our church gathered for a time of worship. The Franklin church’s choir filled our choir loft, and their organist sat down at our organ. As the praise and worship began, I experienced a joy and hope like I had seldom seen. In the midst of uncertainty and with a hurricane blasting through their town, those people worshiped. They had faith in God in the midst of the storm. For 28 years now, … [Read more...]
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