By Message Staff SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) - Evangelist Price Harris is celebrating God's healing power after surviving a bout with Coronavirus Disease 2019. Price, founder of Price Harris Ministries in Shreveport, was diagnosed Sunday, March 29, with the illness after battling fever over the weekend. His lungs are now clear and he does not have any fever. He is prescribed two weeks of isolation at home by his family doctor. "My main concern is for my wife, Ann, and a few folks I have touched over the last days," Harris told the Baptist Message. "Friends have been so good and I am trusting God for full recovery. I am really doing well." … [Read more...]
LC manufactures face shields to protect doctors, nurses from COVID-19
By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) - An idea that began with the discovery of a social media post originating in Montana has quickly flown south to Louisiana and nested in the heart of Dr. Natalie Maxey, Assistant Professor of Engineering at Louisiana College. Using a 3D printer in the school’s engineering lab, Maxey began on Wednesday, March 25, making frames for the protective face shields that are in demand by hospitals and clinics amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Maxey, who was looking for an opportunity to help, jumped in without hesitation. “My sister is a doctor, and I couldn’t bear the thought of her running short of what she needed to protect herself.” All health care workers are somebody’s loved one, Maxey added, noting that local publicity on social media has fostered numerous companies to fire up their 3D printers and help. “This response represents my vision, because I can’t print the frames as quickly as the hospital needs them,” she said. Based on a Facebook post, Maxey called the President of Louisiana College Dr. Rick Brewer about the project. Brewer called Jason Cobb, FACHE, Rapides Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer. Brewer said Louisiana College could produce the much … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptists give N95 respirators to combat NOLA outbreak
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...]
Louisiana Baptist woman hospitalized with COVID-19
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...]
Louisiana Baptists add confidential prayer line to battle COVID-19 effects
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...]
Louisiana Baptist counselor urges positive focus
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...]
Parkview combines tech, tradition to elect new pastor
By Message Staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) –Parkview Baptist Church overcame extreme logistical obstacles created by the coronavirus crisis, and voted overwhelmingly, March 22, to elect Chris DeGeorge as their new pastor, and he has accepted. The Baton Rouge congregation had to replace a traditional "meet and greet" with a virtual one when the governor issued successive orders restricting gatherings to no more than 250, then 50 and now 10 people. And instead of postponing the vote, church leaders took a step of faith, using measures to ensure the integrity of the process and moved ahead with balloting via text messages, phone calls and the drop off of paper "yays" and "nays." When the tally of all the different inputs was completed, members had voted DeGeorge as their new pastor, by a 98 percent margin. DeGeorge will begin his ministry in the state capital, May 1, after serving for three years as the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo, Mississippi. BY ALL MEANS POSSIBLE “It worked well with the interaction he had with people online during the weekend,” Associate Pastor of Worship and Creative Arts Chris Turner told the Baptist Message. “Lots of people said they appreciated the opportunity and got a good bit … [Read more...]
Louisiana College launches Center for Online Innovation and Development
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...]
Louisiana Baptist churches drive in, logon to adapt during COVID-19 crisis
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)--Louisiana Baptists continued to adapt, March 22, to the statewide public gathering restrictions resulting from the worldwide coronavirus crisis, again using new or expanded ways to worship corporately, although for some this meant being together, remotely. Some smaller congregations met in their regular worship centers, given the 50-person public gathering limit was still in effect Sunday morning. DRIVE-IN Some took novel approaches, while depending more heavily on their social media presence than before. Tioga First Baptist Church hosted a drive-in service, with nearly 50 members parked in their cars or sitting in lawn chairs -- six feet apart -- with the singing led by Molly Johnson and the preaching by Pastor Tim Hisaw amplified by a portable sound system. The usual “amens” were replaced by car horns in unison. But the congregation also broadcasted the service live through its Facebook page. “The drive-in church exceeded my expectations,” Hisaw told the Baptist Message. “It was good to see everyone’s face, even if we couldn’t shake hands or hug necks. Like the Marines, the church will improvise, adapt and overcome.” Alto Baptist Church … [Read more...]
Louisiana joins five other states in lockdowns
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...]
