By Message Staff NEW IBERIA, La. (LBM) – Just days before Easter, members of Highland Baptist Church and others in New Iberia have placed wooden crosses in yards to proclaim Christ’s victory over death. Using materials from their homes, participants have constructed the crosses to display in yards and then have shared a photo on Facebook using the hashtag #projectcross. “This has grown far beyond our church family,” Pastor David Denton told the Baptist Message. “We used this to prepare for Easter week and to remain connected. Judging from the comments we have received, Project Cross has been something that everyone has really embraced leading up Thursday evening when we take the Lord’s Supper online.” The effort is one of many ways the church has continued to minister since the Coronavirus Disease 2019 forced congregations to change their methods. They have streamed services for the past four Sundays on Facebook and posted daily devotionals from staff. Additionally, members have met in small groups through Zoom and viewed an adult Sunday school lesson online. Other ministry opportunities have included outreach to families by the deacons and staff, and distribution of more than 250 breakfasts to-go to local … [Read more...]
Virtual egg hunt to help First Harrisonburg celebrate Easter
By Message Staff HARRISONBURG, La. (LBM) – First Baptist Church in Harrisonburg has planned a three-day virtual Easter egg hunt to kick off their Easter week celebration. More than 100 families have committed to placing large wooden eggs in their front yard for motorists to take photos of and then post to the church Facebook page from Thursday, April 9, to Saturday, April 11. Church staff also will place one golden egg in an undisclosed location in Harrisonburg. Pastor Josh Adams said the first person who sends the staff a photo of the golden egg will win a prize. Adams said his congregation, which averaged nearly 200 for Sunday morning worship in early March, wanted to offer a fun way to remain connected. “We wanted to do something for the little ones that would be safe and fun for everyone,” Adams told the Baptist Message. “During these times we are having to look for ways to do ministry and outreach outside the norm. Our prayer is the community will see that we are still reaching out and are committed to Harrisonburg and the outlying area.” … [Read more...]
First Columbia goes outbound, reaches homebound with meals
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COLUMBIA, La. (LBM) – When Union Central Elementary School notified First Baptist Church in Columbia they needed assistance distributing meals to students homebound because of school cancelation due to the coronavirus outbreak, Pastor Eric Harriman quickly assembled a group to respond. From March 17-25, multiple teams that included 10 First Baptist church members, law enforcement members, Union Central Principal Kim Adams, a FBCC member, cafeteria workers and other school personnel -- distributed nearly 1,200 meals (600 for breakfast and 600 for lunch) prepared daily by Caldwell Parish School cafeteria personnel into neighborhoods and housing projects in Columbia and other parts of the parish. Adams thanked First Columbia, the non-denominational Life Church in Columbia and the school district’s special education director, speech therapist and school psychologist for their assistance during this difficult time. “It was encouraging not only to see the churches come together but the many volunteers from the school district step up,” Adams said. “This was a truly team effort, which is what we do here in Columbia. That’s the normal for us here. We don’t think much about it, we just … [Read more...]
FBC Ponchatoula makes way for new believer’s baptism
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PONCHATOULA, La. (LBM) - Sadie Laird, 9, recently made a special declaration of hope Christ that was two years in the making. Since 2018, Laird’s parents, extended family and children’s leaders at First Baptist Church in Ponchatoula had poured biblical truth into the youngster and on March 8 their spiritual harvest came to fruition when she said “Yes!” to Jesus. ONWARD, DESPITE COVID-19 Importantly, Laird was anxious to move ahead in her obedience to God by being baptized. So, surrounded by a few family members and church staff, March 22, in a worship service that was only seen through the church’s Facebook page because of attendance restrictions by the state in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Laird walked down into the baptistery waters inside the First Baptist worship center that was nearly empty of members but filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. “Trusting Christ means I get to live with Jesus,” Laird told the Baptist Message. Her grandmother, Ann, added that Sadie woke up the morning of the baptism beaming with excitement. “She hadn’t quit smiling since she woke up this morning,” Ann noted the day of the baptism. Pastor David Cranford, also … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptists offer a helping hand distributing food to needy
By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Baptist Collegiate Ministry members and a men’s discipleship teamed up with the Rapides Parish School District and the Food Bank of Central Louisiana to lend a helping hand to needy families Friday, April 3. Seven members of the LSU-Alexandria Baptist Collegiate Ministry and 10 members of a men’s group at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria were among a handful of groups who distributed food boxes and vegetable seeds at schools throughout the parish. The school board’s Facebook page reported that seven groups gave out 1,250 food boxes, along with bags of fruit, to families with children to use throughout this week. Families also received 1,250 seed packets to plant in home gardens. Every participant was equipped with protective face shields and/or masks and gloves, which were provided by the school board. LSU-A BCM Director Jamey Gilliland told the Baptist Message his students were honored to represent their university and Louisiana Baptists at Pineville Elementary School, where they gave out 170 food boxes and 170 seed packets. “BCM students never fail to impress with their work ethic and joyful attitude,” Gilliland said. Now we have to add attention to public safety. … [Read more...]
Medical personnel overwhelmed by public encouragement
By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - Prayer warriors packed the parking lots outside Alexandria's two major hospitals to ask God’s protection over health care personnel Thursday, April 2. Motorists at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital and Rapides Medical Center tuned in their radios at 6:50 p.m. Thursday to the song “Way Maker,” and flashed their headlights toward both hospitals. Medical personnel returned the gesture by lifting their hands in praise and waving toward the crowd. The event was part of a nationwide movement of motorists gathering for prayer at hospitals across America. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO8L03X29b8 … [Read more...]
Louisiana College launches telehealth resource for students
By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews)—Difficulties posed by social distancing, travel restrictions, and the shift in established routines are unsettling. Add to the mix personal health concerns, and the reasons Louisiana College launched a telehealth service for students on March 30 become apparent. “Because our primary concern is the health and well-being of the Louisiana College family, we are providing free telehealth service to our students,” said Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer. “With the necessity of online classes comes the separation of our campus community, but I want students to know they are not separated from our compassion and concern.” Louisiana College partnered with TimelyMD, which hosts Campus.Health. Available via smartphone or any web-enabled device, students have 24/7 unlimited free access to professional health advice and licensed counselors. Whether students are feeling sick or overwhelmed, they can talk to Campus.Health medical providers -- who can diagnose common conditions (cold, flu, sinus infection) -- and licensed counselors that offer students a safe space to talk about anything at any time, whether COVID-19 or any other mental stressor. All Campus.Health counselors are … [Read more...]
Drive-in prayer gathering in Natchitoches lifts up medical personnel
By Message Staff NATCHITOCHES, La. (LBM) – In a show of Christian love and support more than 200 cars gathered in a parking lot across from Natchitoches Medical Center for an impromptu prayer vigil Sunday, March 29. The evening included music and a time for families to pray together in their vehicles, where they remained throughout the event, which took place at 8 p.m. A similar event is planned for Thursday, April 2, 6:45 p.m. outside Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital and Rapides Medical Center in Alexandria. Mike McGrath, minister to students and families at First Baptist Church in Natchitoches, led the opening prayer, which was prerecorded and played by organizers to honor the practice of social distancing. He was honored to rally around the local hospital and show them love and appreciation. “It was a special time for the hospital to see the community supports them, appreciates them, acknowledges that what they do matters significantly,” he said. “We as a community wanted to let them know we will continually lift them up in prayer during this unique and uncertain time.” Jason Womack, pastor of Goldonna Baptist Church, enjoyed the evening of prayer with his family and other Christ followers. “My wife and I … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptists to host virtual prayer meeting Thursday
By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists are invited to join Louisiana Baptists Executive Director Steve Horn and other state leaders for an online prayer meeting Thursday, April 2, at 7:14 p.m. The specified time is based on 2 Chronicles 7:14 -- if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. The event will be streamed on the LBC Facebook page. "This is a time for us to unite our hearts and our prayers," Horn said. "The writer of Hebrews [in chapter 4, verse 16] invites us to boldly approach the throne of grace so we can find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. "The need is now and I'm inviting all Louisiana Baptists to surround the throne with our petitions relating to the Coronavirus pandemic in our state and beyond." … [Read more...]
DR feeding units, Baptist churches team up to feed the hungry in Lake Charles
By Message Staff LAKE CHARLES, La. (LBM) - A Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief feeding unit set up at Trinity Baptist Church has teamed up with members of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Lake Charles for distribution of food which is being funded by United Way, as part of Southwest Louisiana VOAD to provide meals for hungry school children, elderly and their families. According to Reggy Saxon, blue hat for the Carey Baptist Association disaster relief unit out of Lake Charles, the United Way notified the association that the Calcasieu Parish School Board had paused its feeding program Last week. The United Way offered to provide the food and asked if the disaster relief unit would find a way to cook and serve the meals. Since Friday, March 27, the disaster relief team has cooked 1,444 meals at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles, and then transported them to Mt. Olive Baptist, whose congregation has helped team members serve meals to families through a drive-thru lane. Saxon said they plan to continue cooking and serving meals through April 10. He added that an additional feeding trailer arrived Sunday to accommodate the growing demand for meals, which began with 212 on Friday and increased to 512 on Monday. "We … [Read more...]
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