Only 25 years after Louisiana became a state, some folks started what is believed to be the first organized church in Livingston Parish. This weekend, the historic Hebron Baptist Church, 24063 La. 16 in Denham Springs, is holding its 175th year anniversary festivities with fun, fellowship, food, a concert and special service. “Everybody’s really going all … Continue reading →

Ethel native Anna Alexander can’t imagine anything more fulfilling than her call to be a missionary doctor in India. “I think for me it’s a means of living out my faith, doing what I really feel God has called me to do, in a place where he’s brought me. So there’s great peace in that,” she said. Continue reading →

The lighted cross in front of Carol Bourgeois’ Baton Rouge home is her way of casting Easter in the same light and importance to the Christian faith as Christmas. “It is simple but displays for all who ride by the reason for this season,” Bourgeois said of the nearly 6-foot cross. Continue reading →

Bells are still ringing at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Midcity. They’re just not the authentic sounds of the bells that Maria “Re” DiVincenti enjoyed from her childhood in the early 1960s to about year ago, when the bells were taken out of service and replaced by electronic bells. “Not to hear the sound … Continue reading →

Bikers will get a chance to attend a church service — and use their bikes as pews. The Hebron Baptist Church FAITH Riders and In the Wind Ministries will present a bike blessing at 4 p.m. March 25 at Hebron, 24063 La. 16, Denham Springs. The blessing will be in the church gym, where bikers will … Continue reading →

If Remiah Trask cannot recall the time he actually joined the church, it’s just because church and a relationship with God have always been part of his life. “I’ve been in church since I could remember,” said Trask, the music minister at World Shakers Church International in Baton Rouge. “I can’t really say … Continue reading →

Two handsful of pennies is a small contribution Larry Boudreaux hopes will help reach 1 billion souls for Christ. Boudreaux put pennies on the pews last week at Covenant Community Church in Central. The pennies were to remind fellow church members to spread the word about an upcoming event at the church featuring … Continue reading →

Andre Anderson and his wife, Natika , got a surprise request when they went to their pastor for marriage counseling about a year and a half ago. After discussing their marital issues, the Rev. Leo Cyrus asked them to lead the married couples and family ministry at New Hope Baptist Church. “He said, ‘I’ve been … Continue reading →

Nearly 50 years of leading Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and nearing 80 years old, the Rev. Charles T. Smith is assured of at least one thing. “God has been very good to me,” said Smith, who recently announced he will officially retire in May. Smith, who is only … Continue reading →

One prominent pastor stepped down. Another longtime pastor stepped back. And a local organization stepped up its efforts to make a difference. 2011 was a year of transition, change, celebration and growth in the Baton Rouge faith community. The Revs. Chris Andrews, of First United Methodist Church, and Larry Stockstill, of Bethany World Prayer Center, each … Continue reading →

Rabbi Thomas Gardner will be celebrating Hanukkah this year in much the same way he celebrated as a child in New York, spending time with family, lighting the menorah and sharing gifts. “I have good memories of Hanukkah growing up,” said Gardner, of Beth Shalom Synagogue. The eight-day Hanukkah holiday starts Wednesday. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication … Continue reading →

The quest for truth turned Jerry DeWitt into an atheist after more than 25 years as a minister. “I just studied and prayed and fasted my way out of the religious doctrines and superstitious that I had been given,” said DeWitt, who spent seven years as a senior pastor. Continue reading →

Vacation Bible school is more than a summer activity at Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church. The program was offered to youth last fall, and returns this year for the Thanksgiving break, said Monica McDaniels, church school superintendent. “We had a pretty good group of children to come (last year) and participate so we decided to try … Continue reading →

Vertis Lathers says the one constant in her life the past 35 years has been her faith. It was her faith that the Baton Rouge woman credits with enabling her to beat her longtime battle with alcohol. And she tells of how her faith never wavered when her husband and son died three months apart … Continue reading →

Wongchin Viltz, now senior minister at the Hollywood Street Church of Christ, got his ministerial start as a 9- or 10-year-old preaching alone in his bedroom. “My bed was my audience and my imaginary pulpit,” Viltz said. “I could be found on any given day just preaching to myself.” Continue reading →

The Rev. Jonathan Stockstill is “ready to roll” after officially taking over the leadership of Bethany World Prayer Center during a joint Bethany United service on Sunday at the north campus. “There are hundreds of thousands of people who are not serving God right now that need to hear the voice of hope, … Continue reading →

Pardon the Rev. Russ Cripps for his unyielding willingness to boast about the power of God. Cripps, the pastor of the new Acacia Church, certainly knows about the power of pardon - from God and from man. As a troubled high school senior involved in drugs and alcohol, the Alexandria native was behind the wheel during … Continue reading →

More than seminary or Bible college, the Rev. A.W. Azoney perhaps learned his biggest lesson in 40 years of ministry not from books but from the heart of his grandfather, a man with a third-grade education. “God gave me what he had and it was a burning love for God, a love that transcends everything that you … Continue reading →

The idea came to the Rev. Oren Conner almost as soon as he was installed in February as the pastor of First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge: With the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks falling on a Sunday, his church should be among those holding special services that day. The First Baptist event … Continue reading →

A gifted teacher and preacher, the Rev. Robert Smith, of Birmingham, Ala., is highly sought for speaking engagements throughout the country. Thanks to the help of an old colleague, Smith will be coming to Baton Rouge for a free one-day preaching seminar from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 20 at First Presbyterian Church, 763 North Blvd. … Continue reading →

Military veteran Thom Leonard is passionate about defending his faith and his country. Leonard, 41, said he got a better understanding of the sacrifice Jesus made from “The Passion of the Christ” and he got a greater appreciation of the sacrifice our military makes by seeing it for himself. “We really don’t understand the depth of … Continue reading →

Wright challenges ‘church folk’ Long before becoming known as “Obama’s pastor,” the Rev. Jeremiah Wright was known as a dynamic preacher and community leader who helped turn a small Chicago church into one of the largest and most influential in the country. Judging by his appearance Tuesday at Elm Grove Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, the … Continue reading →