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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Carey Association seeking help with storm cleanup

By Staff, Baptist Message LAKE CHARLES -- With the recent storms in southwest Louisiana, more than 100 homes have been damaged by flooding, fallen trees, and wind. This weekend with more severe weather expected the Carey Association is asking for help. In an email sent Friday, March 31, Sara Drott, Carey Association director of communications,  said some of the families affected or will be affected by this weather are unable to clean up and repair the damages by themselves. They are asking for volunteers to come help in the clean-up process. “If you would be willing to spend a day or two working,” said Drott, “please call me at 33.474.1865 or email me at  sara@careyassoc.org  and we will contact you with more details as we get them. We appreciate any and all help that we get!” … [Read more...]

Articles of incorporation for first pregnancy care center in central Louisiana signed

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Supporters of the first pregnancy care center in central Louisiana signed articles of incorporation, paving the way for an entity that could save the lives of many unborn children. During a special ceremony March 30 at the Baptist Mission Center in Pineville, a room full of pastors, physicians and other pro-life supporters gathered to finalize paperwork to make the formation of the Cenla Pregnancy Center official. With a targeted opening of late this year, the center will not only equip pregnant women with the necessary education to go through with the birth of their unborn child but provide them with tools for biblical-based parenting. “Our goal is to save lives and save souls,” said Brian Gunter, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pollock. “We want to save the lives of the children but we also want to share the Gospel with the parents. We want to not only teach about choosing life but we also want to teach about marriage and the role of a mom and dad in the home. We will offer free classes from everything to maternity care to caring for the newborn to parenting to pre-marital counseling.” Since his church began praying in January 2014 for the establishment of a … [Read more...]

Dedication ceremony honors legendary LC coach Billy Allgood

PINEVILLE – It was a fitting honor for the man who was the face of Louisiana College athletics for almost four decades. Billy Allgood, the legendary former basketball and baseball coach at LC, returned Wednesday, March 29, to the baseball facility that deservedly bears his name for a special ceremony. A permanent sign at the entrance to the baseball field where he won hundreds of games in 30 seasons was dedicated. In addition to being honored by the school but also received a key to the city of Pineville and got an opportunity to reminisce on his storied career. He told reporters after the ceremony that he was humbled to be honored by so many former players, friends and community members. "It's a great honor and you have to experience it to appreciate it," Allgood said. "There was a lot of work that went into this field and it turned out to be very good. Coach (Mike) Byrnes has done a great job of keeping the field up and improving it." Allgood came to LC as head basketball coach and assistant football coach in 1959. He was appointed athletic director in 1965 and was given head baseball coach responsibilities in 1969. While at LC, Allgood, who had a reputation throughout the south as a solid coach and a stern … [Read more...]

JACK BELL: Trust in the midst of difficulty

But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen and said, "The water is ours!" So he named the well Esek because they disputed with him. -- Genesis 26:20 The capacity for knowing God and exemplifying Christlikeness is made possible when we're brought into circumstances that cause us to exercise our faith. God often uses adversity to conform us to the image of His Son. Our walk of faith requires us to emulate Christ in every area of our lives. Yet we often miss the importance of attributes like kindness and gentleness. Nothing quite tries the measure of these attributes as do conflict and quarreling. But God calls us to a higher standard. He calls us to trust Him in the face of opposition. Isaac settled in the Valley of Gerar, the place where the Philistines had previously stopped up the wells during his father, Abraham's time. Isaac's servants began unstopping the wells and discovered water. Not once, but three times. The first two times, they quarreled with the herdsmen of Gerar over the wells, but the third time Isaac moved along. Although the well was rightfully his, rather than insist on his rights, he forfeited the comfort and wellbeing it would have provided him and his family and went on his way. Isaac was … [Read more...]