NEW ORLEANS – Skilled and unskilled volunteers are needed to help as rebuilding continues in this city ravaged by manmade and natural disasters at a scale never before seen in the United States. NEW ORLEANS – The precipitous drop in the number of Southern Baptist relief, recovery and other volunteers in Greater New Orleans was not expected, leaders say. “We knew there’d be a drop-off, but not this much of one,” said Jim Burton, director of volunteer mobilization for the SBC’s North American Mission Board. He spoke at an Aug. 30 gathering of area pastors at El Buen Pastor Bautista Iglesia. As recently as mid-August, BAGNO Director of Missions Joe McKeever said that not one day has passed since Aug. 30, 2005, when Southern Baptist volunteers were not onsite somewhere in greater New Orleans. But none were found Labor Day weekend. “This month is a great opportunity for Louisianians to make a special effort to make at the least weekend trips to New Orleans,” said Gibbie McMillan, LBC disaster relief coordinator. “All volunteers are needed, if only for two or three days at a time,” McMillan said. “We need your help. In order to reach the goals of 1,000 homes and 20 churches, we need all hands on deck. “Now is the … [Read more...]

The single constant in metro New Orleans over this past year has been change. Everything is different – the population, the businesses, the scenery, the atmosphere, the politics, everything.  Last September, on the first Sunday back from evacuation, Pastor Tony Merida told the congregation of Kenner’s First Baptist Church, “If you don’t like change, you’ve come at a bad time.” The single constant in metro New Orleans over this past year has been change. Everything is different – the population, the businesses, the scenery, the atmosphere, the politics, everything. Every church has changed. Some have disappeared off the earth, losing their buildings and entire neighborhoods. Others that remained high and dry have lost members. A number of pastors have relocated; several new ministers have arrived. Every neighborhood has changed, as long-time residents relocated out of the area from necessity or for jobs, family, or peace of mind. New citizens have arrived, particularly thousands of foreigners eager to assist in the rebuilding of the city. Every resident of the city has changed. You cannot live here and deal with the massive devastation of your beloved hometown and remain unmoved. There’s a soul-sadness reflected in the … [Read more...]

KENNER – After years of working toward his goal of increasing the membership, attendance at First Baptist Church of Kenner had reached 500 people for the fourth week in a row that Aug. 28, 2005. In fact, that Sunday a high of 549 people worshipped inside the sanctuary and Pastor Tony Merida was on cloud nine. Then, one day later, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in the early morning hours of Aug. 29. His church members evacuated and scattered throughout the South. KENNER – After years of working toward his goal of increasing the membership, attendance at First Baptist Church of Kenner had reached 500 people for the fourth week in a row that Aug. 28, 2005. In fact, that Sunday  a high of 549 people worshipped inside the sanctuary and Pastor Tony Merida was on cloud nine. Then, one day later, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in the early morning hours of Aug. 29. His church members evacuated and scattered throughout the South. Merida wondered what the future of his church held. He received his answer Sept. 25, at the first post-Katrina service. Amidst an atmosphere of jubilation, 200 worshipers high-fived one another. Instead of being fearful, Merida was now optimistic about his church’s future. “It was like homecoming … [Read more...]

METAIRIE – At first, the future looked bleak for the congregation of Celebration Church in Metairie. Note: Louisiana Baptist churches throughout the state have responded to the needs of Hurricane Katrina evacuees. All of the stories could not be recounted. Instead, the following article about efforts of three churches is representative of many others in the state. METAIRIE – At first, the future looked bleak for the congregation of Celebration Church in Metairie. Like most churches in the New Orleans area, more than 75 percent of its members had not returned to the city because Hurricane Katrina forced many of the city’s residents out of New Orleans. But five months later, there was hope for the congregation that had added 80 percent of its pre-Katrina attendance, including 800 new Christians who had been helped by the church’s disaster relief centers. “Because of the disaster relief centers and crews we have hosted, our church has been able to share the gospel and minister to the community,” said Dennis Watson, pastor of Celebration Church. “We have hundreds upon hundreds of testimonies from people who were helped by volunteers at our relief centers. We’ve seen God do so many incredible things here.” The congregation began … [Read more...]

ke Silman needed wax for a skateboarding trick, Rye Hill knew just where to lead him: to Kevin Miles, youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Oak Grove, a small town in northeast Louisiana. OAK GROVE – When Jake Silman needed wax for a skateboarding trick, Rye Hill knew just where to lead him: to Kevin Miles, youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Oak Grove, a small town in northeast Louisiana. Though he doesn’t skate much himself, Miles is the kind of guy kids go to. And sure enough, he had the wax. While they were there, Silman, who didn’t attend church, suggested that a skate ministry would be a great addition to the community. Miles knows a chance to serve the Lord when he sees it. “When Jake mentioned it, I thought ... this is it! This is the next thing God wants us to do,” Miles said.  “A challenge, yet it would get us out of our comfort zone.” But Miles also knew the ministry would take work. “I saw a LONG journey,” he said. “I knew it would have to be researched. From the church standpoint – insurance was a deal.” Silman, a ninth grader, who is now the skate team leader for the ministry, wanted in on the action, as well. “At that point on, I started seeking God in my life more, and I don’t mean … [Read more...]

HORNBECK – Those attending Sunday worship Sept. 10 at First Baptist here heard a mother’s testimony of God’s unfailing peace even in the most horrific circumstances: not being able to find her son, who lived only eight blocks from the World Trade Center, on Sept. 11, 2001. HORNBECK – Those attending Sunday worship Sept. 10 at First Baptist here heard a mother’s testimony of God’s unfailing peace even in the most horrific circumstances: not being able to find her son, who lived only eight blocks from the World Trade Center, on Sept. 11, 2001. Sally Smith coupled descriptions of watching the horror all day long on television, and trying all day long to contact her son Jonathan, who lived and worked in lower Manhattan. At one point, his mom said, she left a voice message: “Jonathan, I don’t know if you’re alive on this earth or alive in heaven, but whichever it is I know you’re safe.” Sallie Smith, here last weekend from Texas with her husband Carl Smith who was preaching at the morning service described her son’s reaction as he watched the crumbling of New York City’s Twin Towers five years ago. Weeping in disbelief, Smith cried out to God, “Why do your children hate one another so?” “It brought tears to my eyes, … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA – Regional Reporter Tammy Sharp made the switch to staff writer this week. ALEXANDRIA – Regional Reporter Tammy Sharp made the switch to staff writer this week. A frequent contributor for the last several months to the Message, Sharp’s writing, work ethic and spiritual steadfastness impressed Editor Kelly Boggs and the Message Board of Trustees. “Tammy is an excellent addition to the Message staff,” Boggs said. “It’s even better that she came from the ranks of regional reporters – those writers who report the news of their associations.” Sharp lives in Hornbeck, with her husband, Kenny, a lumber-related company maintenance supervisor, and their 3-year-old son, Devyn. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1992. Sharp, who was casting about for a job last spring after losing her part-time college teaching position to budget cuts resulting from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, decided to try her hand at freelancing. “Then I saw an ad in the Message for a Regional Writer’s Conference, and thought that would be a great place to network,” Sharp said. “It was inexpensive and just up the road, so I went,” she said. “I’m so glad I … [Read more...]