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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Archives for 2021

Two Texas volunteers seriously injured by falling tree

By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor COLYELL La. (LBM) – Two volunteer members of a Texas Baptist disaster relief chainsaw crew were seriously injured Friday, Sept. 10, when a tree they were cutting fell prematurely. The incident happened in the Colyell community of Livingston Parish. Presently, there are more than 1,000 volunteers from 14 states assisting with disaster relief in Louisiana. “This is a solemn reminder that the work we are doing is dangerous,” Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry Team Director John Hebert said Saturday, Sept. 11. “We can’t see inside the tree or know how twisted it has become from the winds of the hurricane. “The injuries to the volunteers are serious but praise God that though their injuries are serious, Mike (Aronson) is okay and Jeff (Smith) is recovering.” Smith sustained the most serious injuries as he broke his leg in three places, suffered damage to his vertebrae and had a brain bleed. He was airlifted to an undisclosed hospital in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Disaster Relief Strategist Stan Statham visited with Smith and his family Saturday, Sept. 11. “Yes, I was able to meet with Jeff and his wife. Jeff is in great spirits and expects to make a full recovery from his … [Read more...]

Louisiana pressed but not crushed by storms

By Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - Despite difficulties faced in the days after Hurricane Ida, Louisiana Baptists can find encouragement in answered prayers and many who are turning to Christ, Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn said in a video released to the Baptist Message. “It’s hard to be in despair when you see God at work,” Horn said in the video. “Be encouraged today. We might be hard pressed but we are not in despair.” For more information on giving or volunteer opportunities in southeast Louisiana, visit louisianabaptists.org. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jCP5y7Y17GI&feature=youtu.be … [Read more...]

Fuller, Oklahoma team makes return to Louisiana for disaster relief

By Message staff BAYOU VISTA, La. (LBM) -- A year ago, Dan Fuller was in Lake Charles alongside fellow Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief team members for eight weeks as they helped feed thousands of those impacted by Hurricane Laura. Now, Fuller and his team once again have returned to Louisiana, manning a feeding unit at Bayou Vista Baptist Church where they will feed thousands in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, 40 miles to the east. Fuller, who serves as incident commander center director, said they expect to be at Bayou Vista Baptist for at least eight weeks as they minister to residents and businesses facing the long road to recovery in those two parishes. Fuller asked Louisiana Baptists to keep his team members in their daily prayers as they continue their ministry work. “We’d like your prayer for safety and good weather and good health as we work here,” he said. https://youtu.be/v1c80iKKfyw … [Read more...]

Spared from Ida’s damaging winds, Bayou Vista becomes a hub for ministry

By Message staff MORGAN CITY, La. (LBM) – Nine days ago, Bayou Vista Baptist Church dodged a bullet. While many sister churches, located just 40 miles to the east, sustained heavy damage from Hurricane Ida, Bayou Vista escaped the brunt of Ida which allowed the congregation to step up and serve as a hub for ministry. Since Sept. 5, 30 Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief team members have prepared between 5,000 to 10,000 meals daily that are distributed by the American Red Cross in communities throughout Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry Team Leader John Hebert said 27 of 32 churches who are members of Bayou Baptist Association which spans those two parishes sustained mold damage. An additional six to eight volunteers have worked in chaplaincy and the incident command center which is located at the church, while another 20 team members have helped remove debris and clean out water-logged homes in the two-parish region. Steven Kelly, pastor of Bayou Vista Baptist and director of missions for Gulf Coast Baptist Association, said around 15 of his members have cleaned showers and bathrooms at the site, modified the church’s outside wiring to accommodate the team’s equipment and … [Read more...]

After major storm cleanup, NOBTS reopens campus

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College President Jamie Dew announced the reopening of the school’s campus Sept. 7 following Hurricane Ida. The campus has been closed to residents since the Aug. 29 storm knocked out electricity throughout the region. Campus power was fully restored late in the day on Sept. 6 and seminary facilities crews checked every campus residence to assure there were no unit-level electricity problems. After the facilities team assessed each unit, Dew invited residents to return and reoccupy campus housing. “The campus is now open and we are very excited about that,” Dew told the seminary family via a social media video. “I’m excited to see you back on campus to continue the work God put us here to do.” In a video addressed to campus residents, Dew urged returning students, faculty, and staff to buy groceries and fill up with gasoline before entering the city. While many stores are reopening and some supplies are available, there are long lines at grocery stores and gas stations. With power restored to over 75 percent of the residences in New Orleans, Dew warned the basic services could be strained for the next few days … [Read more...]

Disaster Relief cooperation among states ‘a partnership in the Gospel’

By Baptist Message staff NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) – With more than 423,000 south Louisianians still in the dark nine days after Hurricane Ida’s landfall, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams are working hard to repair homes, serve food and share Christ’s love in the region. Through Sept. 6, 14 sites are hosting teams from 13 states. They have prepared 147,517 meals, served 4,790 meals, assessed damaged 504 properties, completed 40 chainsaw jobs, and offered 1,207 showers and 821 laundry loads. Teams also have distributed 101 Bibles, shared the Gospel 68 times and seen 12 people profess their faith in Christ. Among the teams working to restore hope in Louisiana are North Carolina Baptists. Tom Beam, North Carolina Baptist Men/Baptists on Mission coordinator, said that since Sept. 3 team members have prepared 60,769 meals and offered 190 showers and 166 laundry loads at First Baptist Church in New Orleans. “Not only are we here preparing meals for people in need and cleaning out houses, we also have an opportunity to share the Gospel,” Beam told the Baptist Message. “We want people to know that Jesus is the best part of who they are. We already have heard of people asking more questions about the Gospel, asking more … [Read more...]

State, national Baptist leaders visit key Disaster Relief sites

By Message staff NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) – Southern Baptist Convention President Ed Litton and North American Mission Board Send Relief President Bryant Wright visited Louisiana Baptist churches, Sept. 6,  who are hosting disaster relief teams in areas hit hard by Hurricane Ida. Joining them on the tour were Litton’s wife, Kathy, other Send Relief staff, Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry Team Leader John Hebert and his wife, Kitty, and Louisiana Baptist Convention President David Cranford. They stopped at First Baptist Church, LaPlace, First Baptist Church, New Orleans, First Baptist Church, Ponchatoula, and Woodland Park Baptist Church in Hammond. “We are really here not only seeing what has occurred but hopefully helping others know how you can be of help to churches like this in LaPlace Louisiana,” Wright said during a visit to First Baptist LaPlace. Litton led prayers with Pastor Shane Newton and members at First Baptist Church, LaPlace. He also prayed with Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief team members who are working out of Woodland Park Baptist Church in Hammond. “You love people,” Litton told the Arkansas team. “You don’t ask people what their politics are before you feed them. You don’t ask their skin … [Read more...]