By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) – A team from the Baptist Association of Southeast Louisiana as well as volunteers from New Orleans spent Good Friday meeting needs of and sharing hope with the homeless of the Crescent City.
Volunteers packed 200 meals, 40 snack packs and 40 hygiene kits and delivered them to the Unity of Greater New Orleans, a nonprofit organization that leads a collaborative of 63 organizations providing housing and services to the homeless.
“Lots of pieces came together to make this happen,” said Stan Statham, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief chaplain and BASELA mission strategist. “That it happened on Easter made it more special. The Lord sacrificed for us and He in turn asks us to sacrifice for others.”
Statham said he appreciated the cooperative effort by all involved.
Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief provided most of the funding, with BASELA adding some money and providing most of the manpower. Statham added that Jack Brown Grocery Store in Franklinton assisted in ordering food, and even donated some items, at a time that has been stressful for those in their field. The association’s Hope Center also provided some of the snack items.
Once they received the food and hygiene items, Statham, his wife, Tracy; Patrick Magee, pastor of Main Street Baptist Church in Franklinton and BASELA compassion ministry strategist, and his wife, Rebecca; and, Austin Lauderdale, pastor of Briarwood Baptist Church in Franklinton, and his wife, Taylor, assembled the kits. Statham added that Alex Brian, business and communications director for New Orleans Baptist Association, alerted the team of the need for the project.
“It has been so encouraging to me to see the ways that followers of Jesus have still been able to be His hands and feet,” Patrick Magee said. “So many of the “normal” things of life have been put on hold. Serving Jesus is still the priority. It’s my prayer that our efforts point people to Christ and brings glory to His name.”
Austin Lauderdale added that it was a joy to follow Christ’s example of serving others in need.
”Jesus fed the multitudes because they were hungry,” he said. “It is always a joy to follow in the footsteps of our Savior and continue the work He started.
“It was also a joy to help in some way with the situations that are occurring in New Orleans, as the city holds a special place in my heart and there’s no shortage of people there who need to be ministered to in some way.”
James French, a New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary student and Global Maritime Ministries chaplain, emphasized the importance of being a witness for Christ during a difficult time.
“It was a blessing to be able to work to help those who help others,” he said. “The Lord used this to open the door to pray for and with them. I believe that this is a time more than ever for the church to be witness to show the love of Christ and to share the hope of Christ.”
