By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
PRAIRIEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Lake Martin Baptist Church was on the verge of closing when they approached Jarrett Wells about replanting the church in June 2024.
The once-vibrant congregation had dwindled to just seven members and felt Wells could help them better reach the community and ensure the church’s survival for many years to come.
After several meetings and much prayer, the diminished Lake Martin Baptist Church congregation voted to merge with a group that was meeting in Wells’ home for Bible study and committed to start a fresh Gospel work in the Lake Martin community.
“The heart of Lake Church is to bring the true freedom of Christ to this community, as well as show them that there is a church here that is really wanting to impact the community through the love of Christ,” Wells told the Baptist Message. “This is a story of two different groups of people going down two different paths that God brought together for one main purpose.”
CALLED TO PLANT
Wells, who previously pastored Oakview Baptist Church, Livingston, for 10 years, had taken an eight-month break from his role and in August of 2023 began hosting a Sunday morning Bible study in his home that averaged between 30 and 50.
Kirk Jones, pastor of Fellowship Church in Prairieville, had befriended Wells and noticed the consistent attendance at the home-based Bible study. After asking if he would consider planting a church one day, Wells met with Jones and Send Network Louisiana Director Lane Corley to discuss those next steps.
Wells then spent the next nine months completing an assessment to become an endorsed church planter.
“Through that, God really confirmed and validated that I was to a pastor again and plant a church,” Wells said. “I sensed that God had been working on my heart and confirming that this is what I was called to do.”
GOD-LED GROWTH
Since holding its first service on Sept. 22, 2024, Lake Church (sponsored by Fellowship Church) has averaged 150 people in worship and baptized 17 new converts.
Shari Sevario was among those baptized in February.
“Coming to Lake Church has changed my life in so many ways,” she said. “It was like walking into a family of love and support. Because of their love and support in hard times, I know I have a family in Christ. I have a purpose in life. For that I am forever grateful for Lake Church and Pastor Jarrett Wells and his family.”
The growth has been fueled by a loving church working together to evangelize, develop small groups and disciple others.
Paige Garrido, one of the members who has attended since Wells began holding a Bible study in his home, is grateful for the opportunities Lake Church offers its members to pour into others.
“Seeing the children get excited when they remember a memory verse or a Bible story truly fills my cup,” she said. “Having a firm foundation of Christ as a young believer is so important and I am honored to be able to have a part in that. Lake Church has allowed me the opportunity to serve, and I am so grateful for them.”
Moving forward, Wells prays that people will continue to find Lake Church a place where they are loved, welcomed and accepted.
“My heart is that through the ministry of Lake Church people will continue to feel refreshed by the genuine love of the body of Christ,” he said. “And I pray they will be transformed by the truth of God’s Word to make Him known.”
