By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
CENTRAL — God’s people can be used to bring about hope to the community and experience revival, Tony Perkins said during a morning worship service at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church in Baton Rouge Sunday morning.
Perkins, interim pastor with the Greenwell Springs congregation and president of the Washington, D.C.-based Christian public policy ministry, Family Research Council, encouraged worshipers they had an opportunity to make a difference for thousands of flood victims devastated with the loss of homes and businesses.
“What God has given to you give freely to others, whether that be your resources or your time or your treasure,” Perkins said during his Aug. 21 message, “Searching for God in the Storm.”
“This, my friends, could be the moment that you and I have been praying for in this church,” he said. “Sometimes God answers prayers in ways that we don’t expect nor do we want.”
“But we’ve been praying for revival, we’ve been praying that we would reach this community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope that comes from knowing Him,” he explained. “This may be our moment, if you and I will have hearts of gratitude, minds of obedience and souls of dependence.”
Perkins’ words of encouragement were part of a special worship observance held Aug. 21, the first by the congregation after the mid-August flooding that left thousands without a home, including Perkins himself.
Attended by 1,020 people, the service included times of individual, group and corporate prayer, a baptism and worship by song led by the praise team which performed “When I Don’t Know What To Do,” “Because He Lives,” “Praise God From Who All Blessings Flow,” “Good, Good Father” and “10,000 Reasons.”
Central Mayor Junior Shelton addressed the congregation, one of many different church services he visited that morning, he said.
Shelton said many of the 27,000 citizens in the town of Central were affected in some way by the flooding but were helping their fellow neighbors, nonetheless, serving as the hands and feet of Jesus.
“We’ve had a terrible tragedy but it’s a good day in Central,” Shelton said. “We’re going to rebuild stronger than ever. All over this city there are signs of Jesus.”
The service was the second of the day for the church, which sustained major flooding in several buildings on campus.
NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS
Denham Springs’ Amite Baptist Church, which also suffered flood damage, gathered to worship in the Greenwell Springs Baptist Church facilities during the afternoon.
Northside Baptist Church, also in Denham Springs, has been forced to find alternative facilities as well. Water rose as high as three feet in its worship facility, education building and parsonage. Watson Baptist Church, a neighboring congregation, offered its facilities, and Northside members will begin meeting there Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., starting Aug. 27.
James Carson, interim pastor with Northside, said cooperation among sister churches is generous and needed.
“It helps to hold our church together, to allow us to continue to be the church at Northside,” he said. “I’m sure we will lose some of our oldest members whose adult children have taken them into their homes. Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead the church as to know what to do in the months and even years to come.”
A small but dedicated crowd showed up Sunday morning to worship at Stevendale Baptist Church in Baton Rouge.
A small but dedicated crowd showed up Sunday morning to worship at Stevendale Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, according to Pastor Steven Young. He said they had planned to meet in front of the building, but the threat of rain forced them inside the worship center which, now dry, had been flooded with 2 feet of water. Other facilities on campus had had as much as 3-4 feet of water inside.
He said they were thankful for the air conditioners, which had not operated since the storm. The cool air allowed for a small sense of comfort as the congregation gathered for worship.
He shared a heart-warming moment for him, describing the time when members Bobby and Barbara Neal sang “God on the Mountain.” As they sang, he said, fellow member Carl Rushing, who lost his home from the flooding, raised his hand in tearful praise.
“They all said, ‘Praise God,’ as they sang the words, ‘And the God of the good times, is still God in the bad times. The God of the day is still God in the night,’” Young said.
CALM IN THE STORM
Jay Avance preached his first sermon since flooding impacted his congregation. Waters rose in all the facilities of the First Baptist Church in Baker up to half a foot deep, except the worship center, which remained completely dry.
The parsonage also received 6 inches of water.
Temple Baptist Church in Ruston is partnering with the Baker church to help it rebuild.
Avance’s message was “Calm in the Storm,” based on Matthew 8:23-27. He said being calm in the storm begins when we come to Jesus, allowing God to allay our doubts and fears by watching Him at work.
“Though the waters of the storm may be deep, God will lead us to dry land,” Avance said. “Stuff can be replaced, lives however cannot,” he added.
At Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Roseland, Pastor Randel Camardelle preached the message, “Christ in your crisis,” using Psalm 46. The church, which was just about to complete repairs related to damage caused by the March flood, had 2 feet of water enter the worship center during the August deluge.
In the service, several members shared how God has guided them this past week, including one member who was led to start a prayer meeting every Monday at 4 p.m.
“He is our refuge, strength, and strength in a very present help in times of trouble,” Camardelle said. “We are to exalt God and be His hands and feet. To bring Him Glory, to keep our focus on Him and His kingdom. Not to be moved in these circumstances because God is in control. The Spirit of God moved and there was lots of encouragement and joy from God’s word.”
First Baptist Church in Broussard met Aug. 21, a week after having to cancel services because several inches of water came inside its building Aug. 12. Pastor Weldon Moak called it refreshing to be back in their regular worship time and space.
“The congregation seemed to be at peace as we gathered in a place that we have all felt God move and challenge us,” he said. “It helped to restore a sense of security.
“It also was a chance to check up on other church members and their situation and to share their concerns and prayers,” he added. “We can meet and worship God anywhere. But it is so comforting to meet with fellow believers in a common place each week.”
Many Louisiana Baptist churches are performing critical disaster relief ministries and impacting a great number of lives. Please contact us to share about your experiences, including photos, and allow us to tell your stories – especially soul-winning testimonies. Call 318.449.4345, or email Brian@BaptistMessage.com or Philip@BaptistMessage.com.
