By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
LULING, La. (LBM) – Members of First Baptist Church, Luling, celebrated the miracles of God during the recent re[1]dedication of its worship center that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ida on Aug. 29, 2021. A crowd of more than 70 gathered to reflect on how God brought them through both a pandemic and a major hurricane and allowed them to see His goodness amid trying times.
Interim Pastor Gerald Stevens, who retired in July after serving 34 years as a professor at New Or[1]leans Baptist Theological Seminary, called the Aug. 28 service a watershed moment for the church, which is surrounded by damaged homes that still have not been rebuilt a year after the storm.
“We are a lighthouse to this community,” Stevens told the Baptist Message. “We give every[1]one hope because they see that you can recover from this. Even the presence of a reconstructed church in a devastated area gives this area hope things will get better for them.
“FBC Luling is the church that keeps chugging along,” he continued. “Even though we are small in numbers, we are dynamic in presence and heart.”
PERSERVERANCE THROUGH TRIALS
FBC Luling faced multiple trials even before Stevens became interim pastor in August 2020. The coronavirus pandemic caused the church to conduct small group Bible studies and worship remotely before regathering in the sum[1]mer. Then, on Aug. 29, 2022, Ida made landfall as a Category 4 storm, and its fierce maximum sustained winds of 150 mph caused significant damage to the worship center, and the Weekday Early Education Center.
Rather than fold, the members pressed forward.
For the first few weeks after the storm, Stevens held an online service. Once electricity was restored, members began meeting in the fellowship hall for worship.
Even though many members were unable to occupy their homes, they became the hands and feet of Christ as they ministered to the community. Members cooked meals for neighbors, transformed a part of the fellowship hall into a do[1]nation center and hosted various relief teams on the church parking lot.
BLESSINGS RECEIVED
Additionally, God provided the funding for what Stevens identified as five miracles God performed:
— an insurance deductible that was 45 percent of its operating budget was paid off in an unexpected way;
— money, manpower and equipment already were on site (because of hurricane recovery efforts) to implement a permanent flood mitigation plan that helped make the effort financially feasible;
— the W.E.E. Center was repaired and reopened in August;
— a semi-grand piano gifted to the church many years ago was damaged but replaced with an exact replica; and
— the pastoral search committee extended its pastoral candidate a call to come to the church in October.
Rachel Mire, a 20-year member as well as the church administrative assistant and children’s director, said the assistance from so many churches and individuals encouraged them to keep pressing forward during the difficult days.
“We had a lot of ups and downs, so to come full circle to our dedication service was a miracle,” Mire said. “We felt the dedication service was confirmation from God that we are supposed to be here and do his work. Every step of the way he was there to guide and help us through it and afford the things we did.
“During the days of COVID and Ida we didn’t understand, ‘Why?’ but we did know God had a plan,” she continued. “Now, we have a revitalization that is going to happen, and we are excited for the future and our community. For those churches who are going through hard times, look at our situation and know that it might not be as devastating as you think because in the end God can do anything more than you ever can imagine.”
BRIGHT DAYS AHEAD
Stevens believes the best is yet to come for FBC Luling.
“They have high prospects,” he said. “The miracles that took place were impossible financially and practically. For them to come to fruition all at the same time leaves me almost dumfounded.
“God has a future and ministry for this church,” he continued. “The dedication service reminded the church that God is rooting for you. I am here with you and now let’s go reach this community for me.”
