By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) - The New Orleans Baptist Association and Louisiana Baptist Convention have gifted the Baptist Community Health Services in New Orleans with 560 N95 respirators, combined, and other much needed supplies as medical personnel continue their fierce battle against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Alex Brian, business and communications director and neighborhood ministry coordinator for NOBA, told the Baptist Message the doctor, nurses and staff had been reusing masks and depleted their supply of gloves before the association found their supply in their disaster relief mud-out trailer. Brian delivered 60 N95 respirators, along with two boxes of gloves, to the BCHS clinic on Monday, March 23. Two days later, LBC Disaster Relief delivered an additional 500 N95 respirators and 250 Tibex protection suits. BCHS operates five medical clinics (New Orleans, Chalmette and Mandeville) and is the only known federally qualified health center connected to a Southern Baptist local association of churches, according to Shawn Powers, CEO and a full-time NOBA missionary at the clinic. NOBA, with the help of the Baptist Community Ministries (a foundation set up with … [Read more...]

By Message Staff COUSHATTA, La. (LBM) - Urgent prayers have been requested by the family of Nancy Spears, a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Fairview Alpha, who has tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Spears' husband, Wayne Spears, is a former Louisiana Baptist pastor and serves as CEO of Abbie Lane Retreat Ministry in Coushatta, a non-denominational 80-acre retreat facility for ministers and their wives. According to Wayne Spears, his wife fell ill 9-10 days ago. Her symptoms worsened over time and she was admitted to the emergency room at Highland Hospital in Shreveport on Sunday, March 22. Wayne Spears has posted updates on his Facebook page, which has been flooded with posts from others offering prayers and encouragement for the family. The couple is quarantined for 14 days, beginning Tuesday, March 24. Nancy Spears is still at Highland Hospital while her husband is at their home. “Her physical condition was so weak going into this, for her to make it will be the result of prayer and God’s grace,” Spears told the Baptist Message. “I am probably positive because I have been with her constantly.  However, I cannot be tested until I have symptoms, coughing and fever.” Wayne Spears noted … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisianans struggling through difficulties associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) now have a confidential place to turn, thanks to a prayer line established by Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief. The line is toll-free at 800.410.3492. Calls are answered by Louisiana Baptist DR chaplains from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. “If someone has a concern and wants to talk it over with one of our chaplains, we are here by the phone to pray for you,” said Stan Statham, a DR chaplain and associational mission strategist with the Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana. Statham said the prayer line is another way to minister to those impacted by the situation. Joe Arnold, a DR chaplain and associational mission strategist with the Bayou Baptist Association, said this prayer line can infuse much needed encouragement. “A lot of people need someone to talk to, pray with and just express themselves,” Arnold said. “Many times we work it out better when we express those feelings and have someone to talk with. We want to make it available so people remember the Lord is still in control and God is still God. In the process of all that is happening, those things … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – God’s solution to deal with anxiety that may develop from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a mindset of thanksgiving rather than anxiety and worry, according to Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries Granberry Counseling Director Kathy Eichelberger. “I tell my clients worry and anxiety cannot co-exist with thanksgiving,” Eichelberger told the Baptist Message. “One will weigh over another. This is like a prescription God has given us to deal with the anxiety. “Practicing Philippians 4 will help us focus on the things we are truly thankful for, and I encourage my clients to meditate on verses 5-9,” she continued. “Writing that scripture on index cards to be placed throughout your office or home is a great reminder that will give you a peace of mind.” Like many counselors, Eichelberger and her Granberry colleagues have received an influx of questions on how to cope with the impact from COVID-19. Despite the stresses on households resulting from the lifestyle changes mandated by the statewide lockdown, Eichelberger reminds those seeking answers not to focus on the unknown. “We know life is uncertain and this is a scary time,” … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) -- Utilizing a $2.2 million Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Louisiana College launched the Center for Online Innovation and Development (COID) as it moves to 100 percent online classes for remote learning on March 30. Expanding online learning is an integral part of Louisiana College’s strategic plan, but the coronavirus put the effort on fast-forward. “Facing COVID-19 restrictions and an unprecedented federal mandate, we had to adapt quickly to move classes to remote, 100 percent online access,” said Dr. Stacey Duke, who joined LC’s staff and faculty in February as Title III Activity Director, Distance Learning Coordinator, and Associate Professor of Business. Jason Mercer joined LC in January as Instructional Designer for Distance Learning. Duke and Mercer marshaled web-based assets to create digital tutorials, resources, and community pages, where faculty can share ideas and readily communicate with each other and their students, thus further equipping faculty to teach in the online format. “With the move from face-to-face classes to remote access, we provided immediate tools and training for faculty, as well as helped administrators develop … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor BATON Rouge, La. (LBM)—Louisiana has joined California, Delaware, Illinois, New York and Ohio in taking the drastic step of locking down their respective  populations.  Connecticut, Oregon and Pennsylvania are considering similar measures. Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a stay-at-home order, March 22, directing the state’s 4.6 million citizens to shelter at home and limit movements from there for essential needs only, effective through April 12. In a news conference, he said he reached his decision based on data from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette showing Louisiana only behind New York and Washington State in per capita cases of coronavirus infections. He also shared a graph indicating a steep growth trajectory in confirmed cases matching rates of infection in Italy and Spain, the two global  hot zones for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreak. To date, Louisiana has 837 confirmed cases, including 20 deaths, with 36 of 64 parishes affected, although the most affected region of the state is the New Orleans metro area. The practical effect of the measure mandates the closure of indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, personal care and grooming businesses, and malls … [Read more...]

By Message Staff NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists have donated 10,000 N95 respirators to help Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, and another 14,000 or so to other medical centers around the state to help fight against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). John Hebert, Louisiana Baptists missions and ministry team director, told the Baptist Message he was honored to put to use now these disaster relief materials donated to help Louisiana Baptists respond after floods, hurricanes and other natural and manmade disasters. The N95 respirators are used by Louisiana Baptist volunteers to help in high dust operations like removing dried mud in clean up operations and during different phases of reconstruction such as drywall sanding, etc. The respirators are in short supply among healthcare centers since the COVID-19 pandemic and President Trump issued a personal plea for construction companies and other organizations to donate what they could to hospitals facing shortages while manufacturers sped up the supply lines. An Ochsner delivery truck picked up the respirators and delivered them to their facilities on Wednesday, March 18. “We are doing everything we know to do to help stop the spread of COVID-19 … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM)–Speaking, March 10, to the audience gathered for the 2020 Governor’s Prayer Breakfast in the Crowne Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University Football Coach Ed Orgeron emphasized spiritual character as a defining quality of his daily coaching approach and as a key trait of his championship football team. DAILY PRAYER “Here’s how I start my morning, every day,” Orgeron offered. “When I get to work -- at 6 o’clock that truck’s going to be in the parking lot – I’m going to say my prayers; sit by myself; and, get my mind ready for the day, because I know something’s going to happen and I’m going to be ready for it. “But I get outside – I don’t know if you’ve been to our complex, but I’ve got a beautiful patio,” he said, offering the description: “you see the bridge; you see the stadium; you see the football field.” “And here’s my prayer,” he shared. “God, thank you for letting me be the head football coach of Louisiana State University. Please give me the words and the wisdom that you want me to use to lead this team, today. In Jesus’s name we pray, amen.” Orgeron also scored some laughter, adding that he also offers thanks “for … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Prior to the start of the second day of the 2020 Louisiana Legislative Session, U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black urged elected officials to live each day like it could be their last. “I’m living on borrowed time, and I resolve never to do anything I would be afraid to be doing if I knew it were the last hour of my life,” Black said during his keynote address at the 56th annual Louisiana Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. “In other words, I am going to live like I am dying.” LIFE AND DEATH Black told lawmakers and others gathered inside the Crowne Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge that no one is promised tomorrow and that they should realize life is brief, uncertain and ultimately about eternity. He explained his perspective in terms of a life and death experience that took place when he was a U.S. Navy chaplain. Black said he had been consoling a sailor to whom he had broken the tragic news via a Red Cross message regarding seven family members who had died after their car stalled on a railroad track. The helicopter which was transporting Black among the various ships in the destroyer squadron was hovering above the vessel unable to land because … [Read more...]