Horseshoe Drive celebrates past & future before re-launch

ALEXANDRIA – Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church celebrated its last service Aug. 21 in the recently renewed and updated facilities — in anticipation of re-launching as a revitalized congregation Sept. 18.

“This was our final service as ‘Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church’ and we treated it as a homecoming,” said Robert Daniel, interim pastor and director of missions for Central Louisiana Baptist Association. “We celebrated our legacy, but also rejoiced over the future God is unfolding for us as a re-born family of faith.”

“We worshiped God and took time to recognize His work through so many who have contributed to this ministry since Nov. 16, 1958,” Daniel added.

The service provided a point of closure, he explained, but also set the stage for the reboot of the congregation in the community.

Sept. 18, the campus will be re-launched as Philadelphia Baptist Church, Horseshoe Drive.

Members of the launch team from Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville, surround members of Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church to pray a blessing upon them Aug. 21 for their steadfast faithfulness.
Members of the launch team from Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville, join with long-time members of Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church for a final worship service Aug. 21 as a separate entity. The two congregations become one Sept. 18 and this campus will be re-launched as Philadelphia Baptist Church, Horseshoe Drive.
Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church poses for final photograph as a congregation Aug. 21.
Mona Kelly, director of music for Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church, presents interim Pastor Robert Daniel with mementos of appreciation from the congregation for his leadership in revitalizing the congregation.
Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church poses for lasting memories as a congregation Aug. 21, recreating an iconic photograph taken Nov. 20, 1968 when the church celebrated the opening of the present worship center.
As a final element of the celebration service Aug. 21, Clay Fuqua, the campus pastor for the revitalized congregation which becomes Philadelphia Baptist Church, Horseshoe Drive, Sept 18, receives a baton from Lee Able, a deacon for Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church, as a symbol of trust in his leadership.
Robert Daniel (center, dark jacket), interim pastor with Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church worships with the new campus pastor Clay Fuqua (left, tan jacket) during the final service Aug. 21. The church, revitalized with help from Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville, will re-launch Sept. 18 as Philadelphia Baptist Church, Horseshoe Drive.
The Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church praise team leads worshippers in a time of celebration Aug. 21 for what God has done in the community through that body of believers and what He is going to do through the revitalized congregation that re-launches Sept. 18 as Philadelphia Baptist Church, Horseshoe Drive. Members include (left-right) Kelly Phillips, Barbara Reynolds, Mona Kelly and Catherine Hall.
Lonnie Poesy was recognized Aug. 21 with a plaque and applause and awarded the designation “Deacon Emeritus” for his 40 years of service as a deacon.
Robert Daniel (right) hosts some light-hearted dialog with Steve Maltempi, Nan Johnson and Mark Tullos (left-right) about events and experiences during different periods of the life of Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church.