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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Parts of South damaged after Thanksgiving week tornadoes

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – A series of strong winter storms, Nov. 20, produced heavy rainfall, high winds and several tornados across parts of Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. The storm system caused severe damage in Cottonport (located in Avoyelles Parish).  According to a video by Live Storms Media, the tornado left behind downed trees, damage to homes and destroyed a mobile home. In Alexandria heavy rain and wind pounded the area as the storm passed through. A possible tornado also was reported at 2:40 p.m. southwest of Colfax (Grant Parish) with structural damage being reported by the NWS. Additionally, downed trees were reported near Ferriday, Midway and Pollock. As of 10 a.m., 74 CLECO customers were without electricity. The same storm system that impacted Louisiana was expected to hit other areas of the country at it moves further eastward. According to the Weather Channel, more severe weather is possible in the Southeast, the Midwest may see rain, a few snowflakes and strong winds, and parts of New England could see snow. AAA projects 55.4 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, which would be a 2.3 percent increase … [Read more...]

Rosalynn Carter, former first lady, dies at 96

Rosalynn Carter, the first lady who prioritized humanitarian causes in the U.S. and abroad, died today (Nov. 19) at the age of 96. According to a release from the Carter Center, she died peacefully, with family by her side. Her husband, Jimmy Carter, served as President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. Much of the Carters’ 77-year marriage found them working together. After her husband’s term as president, the Carters moved back to their hometown of Plains, Georgia, where they were active at Maranatha Baptist Church. The former president taught a popular Sunday School class and Rosalynn served as a deacon. In 1982, they established The Carter Center to address health crises, ensure fair elections and resolve conflict around the world. Rosalynn created and led the center’s Mental Health Task Force, having advocated for mental health reform during her husband’s time as Georgia’s governor and as president. She also established the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers to advocate for the unique needs of people providing care for children and adults. Helping others The Carters spent decades volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and established an annual building project to provide affordable housing in the … [Read more...]

Attorney with Louisiana Baptist ties files amicus brief in McRaney v. NAMB, with SBC VIP signers

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – Attorney Michelle Stratton filed an amicus brief, Nov. 7, with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in the ongoing lawsuit of McRaney v. NAMB on behalf of “current and former Baptist leaders” in response to “a profound misunderstanding of Baptist polity” that she argues led to the dismissal of the case by Judge Glen H. Davidson of the U.S. District Court in Northern Mississippi. LOUISIANA BAPTIST TIES Stratton is the former Michelle Shamblin who graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana College (2006) and summa cum laude from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center (2009), according to her online profile. Additionally, she clerked for the Honorable Edith Jones of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (2009-2010); served as a Bristow Fellow in the Office of the Solicitor General of the United States (2010-2011); and was a law clerk to Associate Justice Clarence Thomas with the U.S. Supreme Court (2011-2012). She is a partner with Smyser, Kaplan and Veselka, which is described by various law websites as a Houston-based “litigation boutique” that enjoys a “big trial firm reputation” from its success in complex civil and criminal … [Read more...]