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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Sunday storms produce high winds, hail in parts of state

By Baptist Message staff SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – A line of storms produced high winds and hail in parts of the state, Feb. 11. The National Weather Service office in Shreveport received numerous reports of hail, including two inches near Cross Lake in Caddo Parish,  golf-ball sized hail six miles east of Benton. Further, south ( in the southeast corner state) the area was pummeled by 1.5 inches in Prairieville, 1.25 inches in Alexandria and one inch near Franklinton. There were also reports of pea-sized hail south of Fort Johnson in Leesville, Leander, Pickering, Sieper, Gardner, Hineston, Alexandria, Pineville, Trout, and Jonesville. Additionally, wind gusts of 62 mph was recorded a mile east-southeast of Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City and  59 mph at Shreveport Regional Airport. In southeast Louisiana gusts were 60 mph at South Lafourche Airport in Galliano and 40 mph in Livingston. The NWS office also received reports of a couple of down trees near Girard and multiple trees and downed power lines near west of Springfield. According to poweroutages.us, more than 3,600 customers in Louisiana were without power at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Associate Mark Morelock said no teams … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist churches ‘shine’ Christ’s light to special needs guests

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BENTON, La. (LBM) – Tim Tebow helped give hundreds of special needs individuals in Louisiana Baptist churches the red carpet treatment Friday, Feb. 9. Dressed in their formal attire, these special guests enjoyed a variety of activities to make them feel like kings and queens in God’s eyes at the tenth annual Night to Shine prom. Four Louisiana Baptist churches were among the 726 churches in 50 states and on six continents that hosted the event, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. The former Heisman Trophy and NFL quarterback started the event for individuals who have special needs. From the beginning, the evening was magical for the guests, who were transported by limousine, trolley or classic car to a red carpet. Once there, they were greeted by an enthusiastic group of volunteers armed with cameras and cheers from the crowd. Guests received the royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining areas, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors and a dance floor. All of this led up to the moment when each guest was crowned king or queen of the prom. “726 host churches. 56 countries. All 50 states. 6 continents. ONE … [Read more...]

‘Experiencing God’ author Henry Blackaby dies

By Baptist Message staff JONESBORO, Ga. (LBM) – Henry Blackaby, author of “Experiencing God”, passed away Feb. 10. Blackaby, who founded Blackaby Ministries International, had battled health issues for some time. He was 88 at the time of his death. “Early this morning, our dad went to be with his Lord,” Richard Blackaby said in a statement on the Blackaby Ministries International Facebook page. “He helped countless people experience God. Now he is experiencing God in ways that surely surpass even his most cherished dreams. We were privileged to have a spiritual giant for a father. Hopefully we will honor mom and dad for the spiritual legacy they faithfully handed down to us. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.” According to his website, Blackaby served in several churches in California before moving to Saskatchewan, Canada, where he led Faith Baptist Church from a struggling congregation of 10 members to one that eventually planted 38 churches. During his career, he also served with the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board and Lifeway Christian Resources His experiences as pastor of Faith Baptist helped lead to the launch of the best-selling book, “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the … [Read more...]