By Message Staff RUSTON – Former NBA legend Karl Malone recently gave an assist to the Louisiana Tech Baptist Collegiate Ministry, whose chapel sustained significant damage from an EF3 tornado that touched down in Ruston Thursday, April 25. Malone, a Summerfield native and Louisiana Tech alum, used his construction equipment Friday to help BCM staff and students remove a large tree that had fallen onto the roof of the chapel during the height of the storm. Kevin Inman, director of the Louisiana Tech BCM, said Malone is among the many volunteers who have stepped up to help the BCM to clean up the chapel and grounds. The staff also was joined by BCM staff and students from Northwestern State University and Louisiana State University, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Teams, numerous Louisiana Baptist churches and volunteers from the community. “It’s been amazing to see so many people to give of their time and resources,” Inman said. “We are just so grateful for every single individual who has helped us during this time.” While the chapel was damaged, other areas of the BCM complex were not impacted. Students will utilize the lobby to meet for worship, lunch meetings and other outreach activities while the chapel is … [Read more...]

By Message Staff RUSTON – Hunter Burkhardt has ministered to hundreds as a staff member of Rolling Hills Ministries, but a tornado that severely damaged his home in Ruston Thursday, April 25, left him on the receiving end of much needed assistance. Burkhardt, who serves as human resources manager, arrived at the home of Rolling Hills Ministries Director David Abernathy 15 minutes before the tornado touched down in his neighborhood shortly after midnight Thursday. Once the storm had passed, Burkhardt ventured back into his neighborhood to find numerous downed trees and power lines as well as homes, including his own, badly damaged or destroyed. By early Friday morning, a Disaster Relief team from First Baptist Church in Blanchard and individuals from Grand Cane Baptist Church arrived to remove debris, including two trees that went through his home. Others from the Rolling Hills Disaster Relief Team and residents of Ruston finished removing debris late Friday. Burkhardt said he has appreciated the support and love the community has shown to himself and others since the EF3 tornado devastated homes and businesses. “The response has been phenomenal,” he said. “I’ve seen this community come together and organize at a … [Read more...]

By Message Staff RUSTON (LBM) -- A day after a devastating EF3 tornado significantly damaged homes and businesses in Ruston, an army of volunteers has rapidly descended on the Northeast Louisiana town in amazing show of support and assistance. Thirty Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were on the ground Friday, April 26, to help with clean-up efforts. Ten additional volunteers are cooking food and organizing disaster relief donations for distribution to first responders, volunteers and individuals impacted by the storm. More than 1,500 meals have been prepared since Thursday. The Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were assisted by volunteers from the Cajun Navy, National Guard, Louisiana Tech athletic department and  students from Louisiana Tech, Northwestern State University, and Grambling State University, the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana and numerous churches and high schools. John Hebert, missions and ministries director for Louisiana Baptists, said he has been amazed by the level of support and comradery between Louisianans. “Our disaster relief system is working and we have crews coming from Lake Charles, Bogalusa, north Louisiana and east Texas,” Hebert said. “To compliment the … [Read more...]

By Message Staff CONVERSE – Dawn Asbell is grateful for God’s protection after several trees just missed falling onto the parsonage at San Patricio Baptist Church in Converse Thursday, April 25. Asbell’s husband, Danny, serves as pastor of the church but was out of town at the time of the incident, leaving her and son, Noah, alone. They were in the hallway shortly after midnight when they suddenly felt the house shaking. Immediately, Noah began to pray, and moments later a pine and oak tree slammed onto the ground one foot from the home. “God was definitely with us last night,” Dawn said. “I normally don’t get scared, but last night felt different. Noah was a rock; he was more calm than me. He said ‘Mama let’s pray.’ So we did.” Asbell, who is still shaken by her brush with death, is grateful to be alive and thankful the church escaped major damage. The damage to the church was limited to a broken window. “When things like this happen, you remember what is important,” Dawn said. “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Converse is in Sabine Parish and 50 miles northeast of San Augustine, Texas, where an EF2 tornado touched down Thursday. The National Weather Service also reported tornadoes in Ruston and Mooringsport. … [Read more...]

By Message Staff RUSTON – Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, during a press conference in Ruston Thursday, April 25, praised the faith-based community and Louisiana residents for their response in the wake of a tornado that caused significant damage and loss of life in parts of the state. “What we’ve seen up to now in the Ruston area and really all across the state of Louisiana has been Louisianans stepping up and doing what they do best and that is being neighbor to one another,” Edwards said. “Especially the faith based community has been tremendous, the number of groups that are here cooking for first responders and for those whose homes have been damaged.” Edwards arrived in Ruston Thursday afternoon after surveying the damage from the air with Louisiana Tech University President Les Guice, Lincoln Mayor Ronny Walker and Lincoln Parish Sheriff Mike Stone. He described the damage as “more remarkable than it is from the ground. And the damage is extensive.” He urged residents to avoid travel throughout Lincoln Parish and allow emergency officials to assess damage. A curfew is in place from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Ruston. He shared the White House, the state’s entire congressional delegation and the Federal Emergency … [Read more...]