By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS, La. (NOBTS) – Hurricane Zeta raced ashore just after 4 p.m. Oct 28 near Cocodrie, with wind speeds of 110 mph. The fast-moving storm quickly reached the New Orleans metro, and by 7:30 p.m., the storm had passed. The eye of the storm passed directly over New Orleans, including the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary campus. No injuries were reported at NOBTS. “Hurricane Zeta was a direct hit to our city and to our campus. We are grateful that we had no injuries on campus, and all of our people are doing well and in good spirits," said Jamie Dew, NOBTS and Leavell College president. “There is a good bit of damage to our campus, but we are still assessing that as we speak.” The storm downed trees throughout the city and left more than more 400,000 without power in the region. The most significant damage on the NOBTS campus happened at the Farnsworth Apartment complex. A portion of the roof blew off as the eyewall passed over the campus. Falling roof debris crushed one car in front of Farnsworth. Tree damage was extensive throughout campus; several cars and campus fences were damaged by falling limbs and trees. Seminary officials are still assessing possible damage … [Read more...]
Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief offers lifelines in Louisiana
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – University of Alaska-Anchorage Mosaic campus ministry director Scott Belmore was glued to his television screen in late August as he watched footage of the devastation caused by Hurricane Laura in his native state. Belmore, who previously served as the director of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette from 2005 to 2013, wanted to do something to aid those impacted by the storm. So he contacted Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief officials to find out how he could help. By late October, Belmore and seven students from Mosaic (an Alaska Baptist Resource Network ministry that is similar to a BCM) packed their bags and traveled to Louisiana to serve as an Alaska Baptist Disaster Relief team. Throughout Oct. 18-25 they removed trees that had fallen on homes and cleared debris that was scattered across properties throughout Rapides Parish. But more importantly, they shared the hope found in Jesus with the 17 homeowners they encountered. Among those blessed by the Mosaic team were Rebekah and Jeremy Buckels, members of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, who lost 30 trees to Hurricane Laura and then had two inches of … [Read more...]
Foundation adopts LBF Vision200
By Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)--The Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees adopted, Oct. 27, a strategic plan, LBF Vison200, to “Advance the Kingdom through the Foundation’s ministry by $200 million over the next twenty years or less.” LBF Executive Director Jeff Steed said the plan will set the trajectory of the Foundation for the next 20 years as it seeks to partner with churches and other ministries to advance the Kingdom “one dollar at a time, one ministry at a time, one life at a time.” He said the $200 million goal over 20 years will be fulfilled through the Foundation’s efforts to facilitate planned gifts (e.g. non-cash gifts, estate gifts, charitable gift annuities, endowments, donor-advised funds and other special gifts beyond cash), and serve churches and other ministries with funds management as well as other services to enhance their impact. Specifically, the Foundation will emphasize activity in four areas: Planned Giving -- provide educational content to churches such as the “Louisiana Legacy” publication, sharing with members about ways they can benefit their church beyond cash -- speak in churches to inform members how to be good stewards with regard to their estates -- develop … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptists Johnson, Abraham celebrate Louisiana native Barrett as new Supreme Court justice
By Baptist Message staff WASHINGTON, D.C. (LBM) – The U.S. Senate's confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court drew high praise from Louisiana’s congressional delegation as someone who is dedicated to her faith and the Constitution. The 52-48 vote, Oct. 26, filled the vacant seat of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18. PERSONAL BACKGROUND A native of New Orleans, Barrett graduated from St. Mary’s Dominican High School in Metairie, and later earned degrees from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., and Notre Dame Law School. Barrett’s legal career has included serving as a clerk for Judge Laurence Silberman of the U.S. Court of Appeals and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She also practiced law in Washington, D.C., and was a professor of law at several universities. Aside from the bench, Barrett is married to her husband, Jesse. They have seven children, including two who are adopted from Haiti and another who has Down syndrome. STRONG PRAISE Congressman Mike Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church, Bossier City, said in a statement he was filled with joy that a personal friend is now a Supreme Court justice. Johnson said … [Read more...]
Liberty High principal on leave after threat to make football players stand for national anthem
LBC Annual Meeting registration opens
By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Registration has opened for the 2020 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual meeting. Scheduled Nov. 10 from 12:45 to 5 p.m. inside Guinn Auditorium at Louisiana College, the abbreviated meeting will include only essential business, including reports from the social and moral concerns committee, the resolutions committee and entities. Originally, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans was named the host, but on June 30 the decision was made to change the venue due possible attendance restrictions in the city relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The LBC Executive Board during their Sept. 29 meeting approved relocating the event to Guinn Auditorium. To register, visit the LBC Annual Meeting website. … [Read more...]
Congressman Ralph Abraham endorses Amendment #1
LBC President David Cranford urges support for Love Life Amendment
https://vimeo.com/464995725 … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn says vote ‘YES on #1’
https://vimeo.com/467858821 … [Read more...]
2020 Commission update: Impacting the culture, strengthening families
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists are in the final year of implementing the President’s 2020 Commission Report, an initiative undertaken during the leadership of Waylon Bailey, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington, and the LBC president in 2012-2013. The 2020 recommendations were crafted collaboratively by a commission of 400 Louisiana Baptist leaders, staff members and laypeople, working in 20 subcommittees of 20 members each. Ten “key actions in reaching our state” – known as KAIROS – were developed to engage two audiences – the next generation and every people group. These measures for improving the spiritual health and growth of the state were adopted by messengers at the 2013 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. This is the final article in a series published by the Baptist Message to report what successes have been achieved toward the ambitious goals of the statewide initiative, as well as to note what objectives remain to be done. KAIROS 10 – Lead Louisiana Baptists to maximize their collective influence in the arena of moral and cultural concerns, especially in strengthening families. The 2020 Commission recommended three specific … [Read more...]
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