By Brian Blackwell and Philip Timothy, Louisiana Baptist Message For the people of South Louisiana, when it rains, it pours. For the second time in five months, historic flooding has left widespread devastation and suffering through south Louisiana. As of Sunday afternoon, four people have been killed in the flooding, thousands have been displaced and thousands of homes, businesses and churches have been affected by the flooding. According to the National Weather Service, more than 15-18 inches of rain fell in southeast Louisiana beginning Friday. Some areas, though, received even more. Tangipahoa Parish to Baton Rouge got 15 to 20 inches or more, with some recording up to 27 inches of rain. In a 24-hour period, Baton Rouge had as much as 11 inches while one weather observer reported more than 17 inches in Livingston Parish. Over a two-day period more than 20 inches of rain fell in the Acadiana area according to the National Weather Service. Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness estimates more than 5,000 people have had to stay in shelters Saturday evening. Over 1,000 vehicles – with people inside -- were stranded on Interstate 12 between Baton Rouge and Covington. Traffic … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – Steve Parr said he is concerned about a growing problem in the church today – a smaller percentage of young adults getting and staying actively involved. Once active in church as teens, the number of young adults no longer plugged in after permanently leaving the confines of home is just 1 in 3. But despite the alarming news, Parr believes he has found a solution to help turn around the statistic in a positive way. Parr shared during Saturday’s Louisiana Baptist Convention ReGroup conference the findings from a survey he conducted in 2015 with fellow Georgia Baptist Convention staff member Tom Crites that identifies why some still remain active in the church into adulthood. Among those reasons are the mother and father of children demonstrate priorities by serving in the church, love the pastor and have a high view of scripture. Parr encouraged those in attendance to become active in an area of service at the church, even if it means losing a member of one’s own Bible study to another ministry. “I believe one of the greatest marks of your effectiveness is not how many are attending your Bible study group but how many you have released to serve in other areas,” … [Read more...]

By Message Staff Five months after historic flash flooding sent nearly three feet of water inside the sanctuary and parsonage of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Roseland, the facility has once again been hit by rising floodwaters. At least two feet of water has reached inside the building, according to Cindy Camardelle, the wife of Pastor Randel Camardelle. And the National Weather Service says southeast Louisiana will continue to be pounded by a low pressure system causing additional flooding. Until the latest round of flooding, repairs to the church from the March flooding had progressed and were nearly 75 percent complete. The congregation was two to three weeks away from worshiping in its sanctuary once again. Now, the congregation will have to wait for an undetermined amount of time for their long anticipated return, their spirit will not be broken by more floodwaters. "Pray for God's mercy, for our congregation to not be discouraged and for the Church as a whole to be revived," Camardelle said. Meanwhile, the system had brought flooding to Iberia Parish were two inches of water had gotten into fellowship hall of Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia. Pastor David Denton said they are waiting until the waters … [Read more...]