Brian Blackwell/Louisiana Baptist Message

LAKE CHARLES, La. (BP) – Sutton Trombatore had been curious about Jesus for a while but finally realized his need for a Savior in late 2021.

Baptisms give encouragement to flood-damaged church of its renewal in reaching its community.

DIEPPE, New Brunswick, Canada (BP) -- Louis Charrier was putting the finishing touches on his southern Louisiana gumbo and already a line of 15 people was forming, eager to get a taste of the Cajun dish at a block party in Dieppe, New Brunswick. Moments later, some fellow Louisiana Baptists begin serving the cuisine by the bowl, along with an evangelism tract telling the purpose of their trip to the Canadian province.

WELSH, La. (BP) -- The waters may have receded several months ago but the excitement at First Baptist Church hasn't subsided. First came the rain to Welsh, La. -- nearly 24 inches in a 24-hour period during widespread flooding in the southern part of the state. Soon after, the congregation began ministering to those hurting in its own area, paving the way for a spiritual harvest. Not only have they seen 13 baptisms since the flood of August 2016 but attendance has not waned, reaching 100 on an average Sunday morning for worship.

BATON ROUGE, La. (BP) -- When 8-year-old Taylor Henry saw the devastation from flooding in south Louisiana, she wanted to do something. What she did not foresee is how her desire would turn into an effort that raised more than $7,000 for those affected by record flooding in August. Henry, her parents and grandparents journeyed to Baton Rouge where she presented a check during Woodlawn Baptist Church's Oct. 9 worship service. The youngster was all smiles as she handed over the donation, which will be used to purchase sheetrock to help rebuild houses and churches in the Baton Rouge area.

RUSTON, La. (BP) -- Wearing a shower cap only moments from entering the baptismal waters, Ophelia White was beaming with excitement. With the encouragement of friends gathered in the Cook Baptist Church worship center, the 94-year-old new believer was baptized, answering the prayers of those closest to her. "I want people to know it's never too late," White said. "Get with it."

EVANS, La. (BP) -- Two months had passed since Margie Fulkerson's husband unexpectedly died from a heart attack at the same Louisiana home site where she was now working as a member of an Illinois Baptist disaster relief team. Holding a bottled water to quench her thirst in the 90-degree heat, Fulkerson fought back tears as she remembered when her husband Don passed away in late March while helping mud-out a home in Evans, La., damaged by several feet of flooding.

ANGOLA, La. (BP) -- Burl Cain, known for a much-heralded transformation at the "bloodiest prison in America," is retiring Jan. 1 after nearly 21 years as head of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Cain, 73, the longest serving warden of any prison in the United States, governed the sprawling 18,000-acre facility that sits next to the Mississippi River with a firm hand and a strong love for Jesus. Cain, a Southern Baptist, is quick to tell everyone it was Jesus Christ who pacified Angola.

ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP) -- Lou Warshaw prayed for 24 years that her husband George would accept Christ as his Lord and Savior. After years of refusing to give up on the hope that he would become a Christian, God answered her prayers when, at the age of 101, George made that decision and followed through with believer's baptism.

DEVILLE, La. (BP) -- Twenty-four living miracles returned back to their church late Saturday (June 27), nearly 30 hours after surviving a serious bus accident in Florida on the way to a church camp. Those students and adult chaperons, along with nearly 40 other students and adults, walked into Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville, La., to a roar of applause, welcome home signs, balloons and plenty of hugs with their loved ones.