By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LEESVILLE, La. (LBM)--Xavier Tate found more than fun and games on the midway during the annual fair and rodeo in Vernon Parish. During his temporary reprieve from the confines of the local jail as a member of a work crew, he found freedom in Christ and was baptized the same day --  all because of an act of compassion by members of the Vernon Baptist Association of churches. Jearme Ousley, student pastor at the Pine Hill Baptist Church in Leesville, told the Baptist Message the associational team served breakfast to Tate and his jail mates and that that kindness softened his heart. Ousley said that Tate was baptized shortly after making a profession of faith -- with the Louisiana Baptist volunteers singing “Amazing Grace.” Larry Galloway, a member of East Leesville Baptist Church, baptized Tate in a trough provided by local feed shop owner Gil James, a member of Canaan Baptist Church in Leesville, in water contributed by the  fire department. “The goal was simple – to show the love of Jesus to lost, broken and hurting people who many look down on and consider outcasts,” Ousley said. “Xavier thought he was just there to clean up and wasn’t expecting a hot meal, let alone a … [Read more...]