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The Transformed by Grace program seeks to help those who have fallen victim to drug addiction and other destructive behaviors. “We don’t win them all by any means ... but we keep trying,” leader Billy King said of the faith-based support group which meets at 6:30 p.m. each Monday at Grace Works Church, 16131 La. 44, Prairieville. Continue reading →
When the Rev. Bill Brewer, 65, ministers to patients and families as a hospice chaplain, he can speak from personal experience. His first wife of 32 years spent five months in hospice before her death 10 years ago, and Brewer was inspired by the chaplain who often came to visit. Continue reading →
Humming a hymn is just as satisfying as singing for tenor Earl Taylor. "There's something about moaning," said Taylor, a retired Southern University professor and former longtime member of the musical staff at Mount Zion Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. "There's something about humming. "There's something about what it makes you feel like when you allow your soul, … Continue reading →
Untrained artist Larry Farris credits a word from God with ushering him into an art ministry. Actually, it was three words - "teach, preach and paint" - behind an impressive 12-painting project Farris said God gave him to help share the Gospel. "The Lord put it on my heart to paint some paintings," Farris said. "It all started with those … Continue reading →
The lesson of Passover goes beyond commemorating the liberation of the Jews. Louisiana rabbis also see a challenge to strive for the freedom of all people. “The Passover is a holiday that reminds us of what it was like to be slaves and to live in conditions of indignity, and we move from that condition of indignity … Continue reading →
As a funeral home director, David Singletary, of St. Amant, has plenty of professional experience with death. But a decade ago that experience nearly became too personal. Singletary was suffering from sarcoidosis, a potentially fatal inflammatory disease that mostly affected his lungs. “There were a couple of times I almost died,” he said. “I said, … Continue reading →
When the call to the ministry came at age 17, Nathan Ryan was willing, but not ready, to answer. "I didn't feel like I could serve people if I hadn't been into the real world," he said. After graduating from LSU, earning a master's degree and years of service in the church, Ryan said he is ready. On Sunday, the Slidell native will … Continue reading →
Black History Month shouldn’t be the only time churches show an interest in educating and reaching out to their young people, a West Baton Rouge Parish pastor says. “If all we do is come together once a year and tell them what happened in the 1700s, that’s not going to appeal to them,” said the Rev. Nelson … Continue reading →
One of gospel music’s hottest artists is bringing her melodious sounds to Baton Rouge — and she’s bringing some company. Tamela Mann, one of the stars of the hit TBS comedy “Meet The Browns” and whose single “Take Me to the King” has garnered her a Grammy Award nomination, will headline a concert at … Continue reading →
Don’t be fooled by the name — Mirror of Grace Outreach in Baton Rouge — as many have. “We’re a faith-based organization, but we’re not a church,” Chief Executive Officer Patricia A. Harrel said. Harrel, who started Mirror of Grace in 2010 with her own personal funds, considers the church label a … Continue reading →
The death of a well-respected pastor and civic leader, and the resignations of two other prominent ministers were among the top stories in the Baton Rouge faith community in 2012. The Rev. Charles T. Smith, the pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church for 50 years, died Sept. 11 at the age of 80. Smith, who had retired … Continue reading →
Sunday school superintendent was a man’s job, Lucinda Clark retorted when first approached about taking the position more than 30 years ago. “So they pointed out to me that there were several ladies in town who were Sunday school superintendents,” Clark said. “I said I’d just have to pray over it, and finally, I took it.” Continue reading →
Expect a new twist but the same quality performance when Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge presents its annual “Twin Living Christmas Trees.” Also expect some snow — the simulated kind inside the sanctuary that has been an anticipated part of the Broadway-style performances for years, and some real snow for the kids … Continue reading →
The House of Ruth of Baton Rouge has seen God make “amazing” changes in the lives of women during its first year, Executive Director Beverly Quezada said. The faith-based program helps abused, homeless and recently released from prison women. It helps the women find housing and also provides services such as mentoring, vocational training and work-study and … Continue reading →
Heart trouble hasn't stopped John Bayer from his heart's desire - preaching to save the lost in prisons. The Baton Rouge minister, 67, was preparing to preach last week in a prison in Georgia when he experienced his latest heart episode. "The devil gave me a heart attack my first day in town," said Bayer, the chaplain and director of Free at … Continue reading →
Going through a divorce and raising three children as a single, working mother drew Patricia Henderson closer to God and gave her a heart for women’s ministry. “By the time I went through all these trials and tribulations, I realized that my life belonged to God,” said Henderson, an associate minister at Greater Sixty Aid Baptist … Continue reading →
From the Pumpkin Patch, Jefferson United Methodist Church is trying to reach the world. The Pumpkin Patch, which will include food, music, hayrides and other fun activities, starts Friday and will continue through Oct. 31 at the church at 10328 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge. Visiting the annual Pumpkin Patch is free, but sales from … Continue reading →
The hand of God has guided Daniel Burch’s hands for a life of service. Burch, a member of University Presbyterian Church, works for governmental agencies and others as a sign language interpreter, a craft he started years ago as a college student. “I needed a summer job, so I started … Continue reading →
Athletics had always come easy for Carl Brown. He was a standout baseball player coming out of Capitol High School with a full scholarship nearly 40 years ago when he ran into an opponent he had a difficult time beating: drugs. “I got involved in drugs for the first time on a college campus, and it … Continue reading →
If not for the church during his teen years, the Rev. Juan Huertas may not be speaking to hundreds of congregants each week as senior pastor of St. John’s Methodist Church. Huertas may not even be speaking much English if it hadn’t been for the church. The church community helped Huertas’ spiritual and academic development when … Continue reading →
The “Wholeheartedly, Get In, Get Out, or Get Run Over” Conference at Living Faith Christian Center is going public. The fourth annual conference begins at 7 p.m. Thursday and runs through Aug. 18 at the church, 6375 Winbourne Ave. The conference took a low-key approach its first three years, targeting ages 18-35 at … Continue reading →
Sisters Sabrina and Sarai Stansberry have been familiar faces at the annual Louisiana Baptist Youth Encampment for more than 10 years. “I was a tagalong with my mom and older sister since I was about 9,” said younger sister Sabrina Stansberry, 19, a graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy and a junior at Loyola University in New Orleans. Continue reading →
Where others may have simply seen a brick wall, Sue Primm saw Jesus. The Baton Rouge woman turned the space in the Fellowship Hall at Francis Asbury United Methodist Church into an immaculate piece of art titled “The Story of Christ.” Primm unveiled the artwork — all 7 feet … Continue reading →
After Jesus Christ changed her life, Betty Guerin invested in helping change the lives of others. “I used to think that people were going to be the same no matter what, but I found out when you accept Jesus as Lord, there is a change,” said Guerin, who accepted Christ in 1964. “When I got saved, I … Continue reading →
Walking pneumonia helped LaToya Williams stop running – from God. “I got to the point where it was just me and the bed,” she said. “I could barely get up.” Her serious bout with pneumonia two years ago, Williams said, “was a period of me talking to God and God … Continue reading →
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 →