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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Thousands of youth to gather in Rapides Coliseum for ‘Celebration’

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The Rapides Parish Coliseum, which did not host Youth Evangelism Celebration last year because of COVID-19 concerns, is gearing up once again to host several thousand students at the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists, Nov. 21-22. “We are fired up to have the big event again,” Louisiana Baptist youth strategist Brandon Lewis told the Baptist Message. “All of us are looking forward to hosting everyone once again in the coliseum and are anticipating what the Lord has in store.” 2020 Last year’s event moved to a regional format, a change from the usual event that draws up to 6,000 students each year. By the end of the three events, more than 1,100 students, collectively, heard the same Gospel message that was proclaimed during the previous 33 YEC events. The three gatherings combined resulted in 69 students making some type of faith decision: 16 statements of belief, 44 acts of repentance to restore fellowship with Christ and nine commitments to vocational ministry. 2021 Throughout this year’s two-day event, Louisiana Baptist teens will be challenged to celebrate what Christ has done in their lives and to share their stories of how … [Read more...]

Edwards ends state’s mask mandate

By Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – With more Louisianans receiving COVID-19 vaccinations combined with continuing reductions in new cases, hospitalizations and deaths, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Tuesday, Oct. 26, the end to the state’s mask mandate. While the mask mandate will remain in place for k-12 schools, individual districts may opt out if they adhere to quarantine guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Masks also will be mandated by federal regulation on mass transit and in health care facilities. Local governments and private businesses may choose to continue to require and enforce mask requirements under the Edwards’ order, which goes into effect on Wednesday, Oct. 27. “I stand here today optimistic, relieved, that the worst of the fourth surge is very clearly behind us now,” Edwards said during his news conference. “And I think this is the result of the work that the people of our state have done. They have stepped up to the plate when we needed them to and when we asked them to, at least most of them, put their masks back on, exercised caution. Vaccinated numbers continued to improve, although we can all agree that they are not what they should be even today. … [Read more...]

Baptist Community Ministries celebrates 25 years (plus one)

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) – “We believe money matters, but we believe everything is better with Christ,” Baptist Community Ministries Board Chair Slade Simons said. For more than 25 years, Baptist Community Ministries has helped improve the physical, mental and spiritual health of the greater New Orleans metropolitan area by helping to generate funds as a foundation and through chaplaincy services and congregational wellness at the height of COVID-19. “It’s just as humbling as it is exciting,” Simons said. “Not many people get the chance in life to have a very true meaningful impact on other people’s lives in such a positive way. When you sit on a board of a grant maker that is truly concerned with its community and with the Gospel, it really is remarkable, and it is very humbling. “We have been able to Baptist Community Ministries celebrates 25 years (plus one) pump a little over $208 million into the community over the last 25 years,” he continued. “Money is not the only answer to problems that people deal with, but it can certainly help provide a lot of resources and a lot of help.” The ministry was formed from the proceeds of the 1995 sale of Southern Baptist Hospital in New … [Read more...]