By Jerry Love, LBF communications Statistics. Webster says statistics is “a branch of mathematics dealing with the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of masses of numerical data.” In other words, statistics uses raw data to tell a story.  Sometimes the revelation from the data can be surprising, confusing, or even overwhelming, but there are times when we should give the numbers a little more attention. Take for instance the study released last fall by the Natural Marketing Institute which revealed a numerical picture of the heart and attitudes of regular givers. Their study called the 2015 Healthy Aging Database studied the giving patterns of adults over 40 in a wide range of situations.   The one element that stood out from the rest was this: Of those surveyed who were regular in their tithes and gifts to faith based organizations, 37% would likely include a gift to their church or other ministry as part of their estate plans.  Over one third of regular givers would likely leave a gift.    Of those surveyed, 19% were VERY likely to leave a gift in their will or in a trust.  That’s a pretty strong response. The sad news is that only 3% had already taken action to implement a plan to give to … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MORGAN CITY – For 20 years, Bobby Powell invited his neighbor to attend worship services at Bayou Vista Baptist Church, only for that neighbor to turn down his invitation year after year. Still, Powell never gave up hope and continued his prayers and invitations. Recently, those 20 years of faithful outreach produced a harvest when Powell’s neighbor walked into a revival service at Bayou Vista Baptist Church and after the message asked Jesus for forgiveness and committed his life to following Him. Two nights later, the neighbor’s son walked into the church, repented and gave his life to Christ as well. “I have experienced answered prayers many times in my life, but never one that spanned over 20 years. We just have to wait on the Lord for His timing,” he said. “That story is just one of many happening at Bayou Vista Baptist Church these days.” Pastor Steven Kelly believes this south Louisiana congregation he pastors is on the edge of something great about to happen. “I have seen a positive change in where we are headed as a church,” said Kelly, who also serves as director of missions for the Gulf Coast Baptist Association. “Since the beginning of the year, we’ve had the … [Read more...]

By Mark H. Hunter, Regional Reporter BATON ROUGE - Just as dawn was breaking in the middle of Holy Week, more than 1,400 Louisianans filled a large River Center ballroom for the 52nd annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. For more than an hour, public officials, community leaders and clergy prayed for newly-elected Gov. John Bel Edwards, the state, Louisiana families suffering from the recent flooding, the legislature, the military, emergency responders -- all concluding “In the name of Jesus, amen.” In his closing remarks, Edwards quoted I Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” “That is not the only reason they were praying, it is why we are praying as well,” Edwards said. “And while we face challenges in Louisiana, we don’t face anything that our God can’t handle if we will just ask him to help us.” We certainly have to do our part, he added, asking the audience to “continue to pray” for the people of Louisiana, for one another, for our military, those who risk their lives to protect us, and, “may we pray for guidance and for wisdom for all of our leaders in the nation, our state and certainly myself included.” Noting the prayer breakfast was held a … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE – Burl Cain, a long-time warden known for turning around what was once considered the most violent maximum security prison in America, has been cleared of any wrongdoing following investigations by three state agencies. The inquiries were prompted by accusations of ethics breaches by a local newspaper in the fall that grew while newly elected Governor John Bel Edwards was preparing to take office. Cain resigned in the midst of the turmoil, effective Jan. 1, and Edwards subsequently called for the reviews, giving the appearance of guilt on Cain’s part. Now Cain, with exonerations in hand, is telling why he resigned and what was behind the investigations. POLITICAL BACKDROP During an exclusive interview with the Baptist Message, Cain said he did not blame Edwards for requesting the inquiries. Rather, Cain placed the blame on the Baton Rouge Advocate, which he said was politically motivated against him, and a legislator who is a political foe. Cain said he understood the difficulty Edwards faced, just having taken office as governor shortly after charges were leveled. “The Advocate and the investigative reporter got so adamant in chasing me that I had done … [Read more...]

The opportunity to set up a prison program with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, “just fell in my lap,” said Burl Cain, former warden at Angola. The four-year program, started in 1995, has produced 278 inmate graduates. Some have even transferred to other prisons as missionaries. Now, Cain says, instead of inmates committing crimes, they are witnessing to other inmates, studying for a seminary test or holding a Bible study. He shared his story about the important role Louisiana Baptists played in the changed lives at Angola. Look for a story later at 2 pm today at baptistmessage.com on this and also more about being cleared of any wrongdoings following an investigation by three state agencies. https://youtu.be/DmUMplnZeCM … [Read more...]

Burl Cain, a long-time warden known for turning around what was once considered the most violent maximum security prison in America, has been cleared of any wrongdoing following investigations by three state agencies. The inquiries were prompted by accusations of ethics breeches by a local newspaper in the fall that grew while newly elected Governor John Bel Edwards was preparing to take office. Cain resigned in the midst of the turmoil, effective Jan. 1, and Edwards subsequently called for the reviews, giving the appearance of guilt on Cain’s part. Now Cain, with exonerations in hand, is telling why he resigned and what was behind the investigations. Cain explained more during an exclusive interview with the Baptist Message. Look for a full story at 2 pm today at baptistmessage.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61uaOJdfo_s&feature=youtu.be … [Read more...]

Burl Cain, former warden at Angola, talks about the heartache he endured following reports of an investigation of alleged wrongdoings. He was cleared of all charges in late March. He sat down with the Baptist Message on March 23 and shared his complete story. Look for the story today at 2 pm on baptistmessage.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErGegH4kU_0 … [Read more...]

Later today, the Baptist Message will release a story where Burl Cain, the former warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, shared the story behind why he was cleared of any wrongdoings this month following investigations by three agencies in the state. We will release three more videos today, leading up to the publication of the article at 2 pm at baptistmessage.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQP0LEzVyQQ&feature=youtu.be … [Read more...]

The Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola once was known as the bloodiest prison in America. But today, thousands of inmates have professed Christ as Lord and Savior, and violence has decreased by 85 percent. Of the 6,300 inmates now held at Angola, nearly 50 percent are thought to be Christians. Some of that change has occurred through a program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, which has a campus inside the prison walls. “Thank you so much for the prayers,” former Angola Warden Burl Cain said, speaking directly to Louisiana Baptists during the taping of an exclusive interview with the Baptist Message. “And thank you for your dollars. And thank you for being a good steward. Thank you for letting us have the opportunity to show how we can change lives in prison.” Look for a complete story on this and why Cain was exonerated of charges of wrongdoings Friday at 2 pm at baptistmessage.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq8BhxLT5e0&feature=youtu.be   … [Read more...]

By Lisa Sergent, Director of Communications, Illinois Baptist State Association LEESVILLE - Funeral arrangements have been made for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) volunteer Don Fulkerson, who died of a heart attack Tuesday, March 29, while serving flood victims in Leesville, Louisiana. Fulkerson, 77, was with a group of trained DR workers from First Baptist Church of Galatia, IL, and volunteers from other Illinois Baptist churches. Visitation will take place Friday, April 1 from 6-9 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Galatia, 108 E. Church St., Galatia, IL 62935. His funeral will be Saturday, April 2 at 11 a.m. also at First Baptist Church of Galatia. Fulkerson was a member of the church. Rex Alexander, Disaster Relief coordinator for the Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA), suggested DR volunteers attending the funeral, “wear your yellow shirts in honor of Don’s faithful service to the Lord through Disaster Relief Ministry.” Southern Baptist DR volunteers are easily identified at disaster recovery scenes by the bright yellow shirts they wear. “The callout to Louisiana was Don’s 15th response over a period of only four years and his wife, Margie, was almost always by his side serving whenever the opportunity … [Read more...]