By Message Staff
BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge recently gave gifts to medical personnel at area hospitals, providing fuel for the body and soul for each recipient.
Members distributed 400 snack packs throughout the week of April 13-17 to workers at Women’s Hospital, Our Lady of the Lake and two locations of Baton Rouge General Hospital. Included in each kit were healthy snacks and spiritually-encouraging notes and cards created by adults and children at Istrouma.
Terry Bracey, director of missions at Istrouma, said the response was uplifting.
“We received replies through text and Facebook messages,” Bracey told the Baptist Message. “We may never truly know just how we touched and encouraged those who received the gifts.“
The effort is one of many ways Istrouma, which averaged around 2,000 in early March at its Baton Rouge and Prairieville, has helped minister to the community. Last week, members filled up a truckload of food for delivery this week to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and to needy families of school children – and they plan to make this an ongoing ministry.
“I love how our church thinks outside the box, using creative ideas to minister to and stay connected with our community during this age of social distancing,” said Laura Fuson, communications director for Istrouma.
Mike Holmes, executive pastor at Istrouma, added, “Istrouma is thankful for the opportunity to encourage and support healthcare workers as they fight on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle. It’s one small way we can share the love of Christ with members of our community.”
