By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
WOODWORTH – Baptist roots run deep through Cecil Gassiott’s blood.
He is a member at Calvary Baptist Church in Woodworth and went to Rapides High School in Lecompte with John Hebert, missions and ministry director for Louisiana Baptists.
So when the chance to donate manpower and use of his crane for laying trusses for the Georgia Barnette Conference Center became available, Gassiott knew this was an opportunity too good to pass up.
“I have been so, so blessed through the years doing a few volunteer projects that I try not to miss one,” said Gassiott, a general contractor in Alexandria. “The end result winds up being so much more fruitful than any paying job can be. Just one ‘anything’ from God can change your life and your business. Plus, this job is at home and we’re working with friends.”
The crane began operating around 7 a.m. Aug. 24 at Tall Timbers Conference Center and Gassiott’s crane finished on Sept. 3, but not without a small setback that was quickly resolved.
Two days into the laying of trusses, the team on site discovered the pieces were slightly taller than what was needed. But Rogers Manufacturing Corporation in West Monroe, the company that built the trusses, rebuilt them in a day – at no extra cost – and shipped them to Tall Timbers by the final morning of the week.
“I am so delighted with the professional way Rogers Manufacturing handled this situation,” said John Hebert, director of missions and ministries for Louisiana Baptists. “They recognized the mistake and immediately corrected it on their own initiative. The way they expedited the fix helped us stay on schedule without any additional expense. Our team is proud of Rogers Manufacturing and would give our highest endorsement of their product and professionalism. Chris Huckabay and Derek Moody did not stop until this issue was resolved.”
Now that Gassiott’s company has laid the trusses, volunteers from various Louisiana Baptist churches will continue working on other areas of the conference center until sometime next spring. With the exception of Gassiott’s employees and professional contractors who poured the concrete slab on June 29, construction for the project is comprised entirely of volunteers.
Among the volunteers who have helped include Kingdom Builders from Louisiana and Texas, a group from Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria, two men from Texas, a husband-wife team from Arkansas and others from Boyce, Franklinton and Arnaudville.
Jacob Boles, a member of Kingdom Builders and First Baptist Church in Bastrop, was on hand to assist with the work on Monday.
“I’m doing it for the Lord,” Boles said. “Beside, somebody’s got to do it. It’s a great avenue of service to Him.”
When the project is complete, the 8,400-square-foot center on the grounds of Tall Timbers Conference Center will have six small group rooms and a large auditorium that can be configured for up to 580 participants. The center will also feature state-of-the-art sound system and lighting.
The center is named after Georgia Barnette, the first elected and paid Woman’s Missionary Union executive director/treasurer in Louisiana. Every year Louisiana Baptists collect the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering which supports missions and ministries throughout the state.
Since early 2013, Louisiana Baptists missions and ministry team led by John Hebert has raised money for the new center, making hundreds of presentations in churches, Woman’s Missionary Union groups, individuals, missions education groups, associational groups and annual meetings of associations.
Robert Woods, missions builder strategist for Louisiana Baptists, is hoping for a completion date of March, dependent upon favorable weather conditions and enough volunteers to help build the center. He voiced his gratitude for Gassiott.
“I appreciate him volunteering his crane and men for as long as it takes to get the trusses set,” Woods said.
Interested volunteers should contact project coordinator Bill Temple at 318.368.5129 or email bjtemple71241@aol.com. Meals and lodging are provided.