Please Remember Pastor Don Elbourne and the Lakeshore Baptist Family

Last summer, I first encountered the blog of Don Elbourne when he posted about the SBC convention. I was encouraged to see his bold yet well-balanced disposition on very volitile matters and admired how he handled himself in such heated debates (as in the Johnny Hunt fiasco). However, something of much greater significance occurred which has long since replaced such posts. Lakeshore Baptist Church, of which Don is the pastor, was totally demolished due to Hurricane Katrina. Many of you know this, and some of you have even been down there to help out with relief. I wanted to make this post as a reminder to all of us to remember them in our prayers, and in doing do to inquire of the Lord if and how we could help be an answer to the needs that they have. Since Katrina is no longer on the headline news or frontpage of the local newspapers, it is easy to be consumed with the hectic day-to-day events that we forget that we have brothers and sisters who don't have a normal day-to-day events except renovating homes, picking up debris, and rebuilding their lives. To keep us informed of the needs and plans of those rebuilding in the Katrina disaster area (especially around Lakeshore), a website called Rebuild Lakeshore has been established which explains the specific needs, provides pictoral updates, and gives you the necessary information on how you can get involved. Furthermore, if you feel led to give to lessen the financial burden upon these precious people, click here to go to a secure Paypal account where you can directly send funds to that cause. In addition to the challenge to rebuild the church building, many members are having to also rebuild their homes. Some homes were completely wiped away while others had to be stripped clean to the frame and rebuilt. I cannot imagine the incredible difficulty and adversity they have been through, and the work before them at times undoubtedly woult at times seem insurmountable. Yet, through Christ and the supplication of His Church, great things can be done. I pray that we all will bear with one another our burdens and help shoulder their pain and struggles. I have lived half my life on the Gulf Coast (born in Ft. Walton Beach, FL and attended college in Mobile, AL) and am well aware of the destruction that hurricanes bring. Yet when hear of another storm being named and the reporters on the scene reporting the devastation, it seems like a world away from us and often become jaded. With this in mind, I am very encouraged to hear the news that Pastor Don will be attending the Band of Bloggers meeting tomorrow with the rest of us. This will be the first time he has been away since Katrina. While I am excited that he will be here, my heart is heavy, wanting some way to be an encouragement to him. During his short time away, I pray that the Spirit of our God would strengthen our dear brother, refresh his heart, and renew his spirit and that the unquenchable love of Jesus would be expressed in our affectionate embrace and prayers for one another. Don, I am so glad that you are able to be at the T4G conference and especially the BoB meeting. Please know that we are together with you, not only for the gospel, but also for your church and community to which God has called you. To read a recent Baptist Press article of Lakeshore Baptist Church, click here.