By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Public Relations NEW ORLEANS – Louisiana has been no stranger to disaster during the past decade. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill ravished the state in recent years. Once again the state is in the epicenter of a historic disaster. During the past week, unprecedented flooding near Baton Rouge has displaced thousands of residents and ruined more than 40,000 homes. While the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary main campus is well outside the affected area, many seminary students and their families are among the victims of this tragedy. The needs are overwhelming and NOBTS is readying for a response as the event moves from crisis to recovery. “The flooding rains and rising rivers that hit South Louisiana during the last several days have created a monumental catastrophe causing severe damages in homes, churches and businesses far too numerous to list.  It will affect our area for a long time to come,” said New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley. “Thousands need food, clothing, and shelter.  There will be an enormous need for workers to help rebuild entire communities.” Kelley said that those who wish to help seminary students affected by … [Read more...]

By Craig Franklin, Jena/Olla Times JENA -- For Louisiana College men's basketball coach Reni Mason, basketball is nothing more than a platform to build the kingdom of God. He and his assistant coach, along with two LC players, brought that platform to Jena last week as they conducted a free basketball clinic at First Baptist Church for aspiring players from kindergarten through 12th grade. "We basically teach the fundamentals of basketball but the most important reason we conduct these camps is to share the Gospel," Mason said. "We start each day with a devotion, get into our drills, and end with a devotion. Everything we do starts and ends with God. "I'd like to thank Pastor Dominick DiCarlo and the Jena First Baptist Church family for allowing us to come and conduct this clinic," he said. "I have never been to Jena so all I knew was what I had heard. Well, I can tell you after being here, Jena is nothing like the image some tried to make it out to be several years ago." Louisiana college, which is located in Pineville, sponsors basketball camps for three weeks each summer but this year began branching out and conducting free clinics to other areas outside of their campus after the camps at LC have … [Read more...]

Hannah Wallace, Mississippi College Public Relations DENHAM SPRINGS -- Mary Beth Hughes doesn’t recognize Denham Springs after her hometown was devastated by historic flooding. “Ninety percent of our town was under water,” said the 21-year-old Mississippi College senior. But the amazing thing is her home wasn’t damaged, and never lost electricity. “God had his hand on our house,” Mary Beth said Wednesday after returning to the Baptist-affiliated university in Clinton. “It’s a miracle.” Describing the impact of monsoon rains that brought havoc to Bayou State residents made Hughes tear up at times. “Truly this is the greatest place in the world and the people are the greatest you will ever meet,” she said. “We will need prayers. Denham Springs is torn up. But we will recover.” The storm dumped more than 20 inches of rain on southwest Mississippi, coastal Louisiana, and led to massive flooding in cities like Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana. It left seven people dead and sparked rescues of more than 20,000 people. The Amite River was among several rivers and creeks pouring over their banks. Motorists were stranded. People climbed trees to get away from rushing waters. Louisiana’s recovery team dubbed the Cajun … [Read more...]

The removal of wet debris from a flooded home is called mud-out because everything flooded is saturated with muddy water.  The objective is to get the house cleared of all wet debris to discourage the growth of mold and to allow the structure to dry out as quickly as possible so reconstruction can begin.  The following sequence of actions is suggested for your consideration: Look for hazards such as broken gas lines, structural damage and damaged electric systems. Other potential hazards may include contamination by chemical spills and overflowing of sewage systems.   Watch for snakes and insects that may be found in unexpected places. Be aware of personal health and physical limitations. People with respiratory or heart problems should approach mud-out work with great caution.  Furthermore, flood conditions bring increased risk of tetanus and hepatitis. Wear protective clothing such as boots, coveralls, hardhat, gloves and facemask.  A fiber face respirator with N-95 rating is normally adequate for dust and molds, but not for gas or chemical fumes. Open all doors and windows and use fans to help circulate air through the house. Try to prevent any additional damage to the home.  If the roof has suffered damage, … [Read more...]

By John Kennedy, Louisiana State Treasurer BATON ROUGE - State Treasurer John Kennedy asked Louisianians impacted by the historic flooding to keep these important phone numbers handy. These numbers and websites are what people need to file for federal disaster assistance, file a flood insurance claim or to find volunteer opportunities.  As of now, the parishes of East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena and Tangipahoa have been declared major disaster areas. FEMA www.DisasterAssistance.gov 800.621.FEMA National Flood Insurance Program www.floodsmart.gov 888.379.9531 Volunteer Opportunities www.volunteerlouisiana.gov 225.291.4533 "The flooding impacted thousands of people.  A number of people lost everything," said Treasurer Kennedy.  "If you're trying to register for assistance on FEMA's website and can't, please be patient and keep trying."   … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALBANY -- Nearly 300 people staying at a shelter at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Albany are temporarily stranded. Lonnie Wascom, director of missions for Northshore Baptist Association, told the Baptist Message the church is serving as an American Red Cross shelter. He said it has plenty of supplies for evacuees but accessibility into and out of the church by roadway is next to impossible. “The people there are tired but considering the situation, the volunteers at the church are handling things the best they can,” Wascom said. The historic flooding has shut down many roadways in Livingston Parish, forcing many residents out of their homes and countless rescues of those trapped in vehicles and houses. The Louisiana State Police and Louisiana National Guard are attempting to rescue motorists who have been stranded on Interstate 12 for more than 24 hours. Helicopters are dropping food and water to those trapped on the roadway. Wascom said to call the situation bad is an understatement. “I just completed a recon of part of the western portion of our association and it’s bad,” Wascom said. “And it is worse the further west you go. And there are also those on the east side of … [Read more...]

The ladies from my home church made these aprons for our cooking team to give away to the women we worked with during our ministry in Brazil. Each is embroidered with Psalm 34:8a in Portuguese: “Taste and know that the Lord is good.” We served gumbo meals to reach influential members of each of the communities – people who were lost and resisted going to church but who were enticed by a dinner invitation to enjoy “a Louisiana specialty cooked by Americans.” June Charrier Washington Baptist Church Opelousas, Louisiana … [Read more...]