Shannon Baker
New Orleans Seminary
Three years ago, Doyle Cooper did not sense the fulfillment
and purpose he longed for the senior adults at First Baptist Church of DeRidder
to experience.
Three years ago, Doyle Cooper did not sense the fulfillment
and purpose he longed for the senior adults at First Baptist Church of DeRidder
to experience.
It was not as if the seniors were inactive. They were involved
in the churchs ministries of prayer chains, phone care, luncheons, day
trips and a growing Sunday School.
Still, Cooper looked for something more.
He planned a mission trip for them.
The general assessment was clear in the comment of one senior
adult after the trip.
“Ive been sitting on the pew for 50 years –
but never again!” the senior said.
Cooper has done his part to help his senior adults fulfill
that commitment.
Recently, he took a week off his normal chemotherapy regimen
for cancer and led 55 senior adults from the DeRidder church on a fourth missions
trip.
This time, the 25-year youth pastor turned senior adult minister
led seniors to the inaugural Senior Adult MissionLab at New Orleans Baptist
Theological Seminary. The MissionLab is a custom-tailored program matching the
needs and abilities of senior adult groups with mission opportunities in the
New Orleans area.
The DeRidder group participated in the first of five weeks
set aside for senior adults to reach the city of New Orleans with the message
of Jesus Christ.
The 55- to 84-year-old volunteers prepared gift bags for new
mothers, conducted after-school Vacation Bible School programs for two churches,
cooked meals, led the chapel service in the downtown homeless shelter and refurbished
a womens and childrens shelter. More than 30 people turned to Christ
as a result of the efforts.
Friendship House Director Kay Bennett noted that the senior
adults accomplished what would have taken their organization months to complete.
In addition to being a witness to those who frequented the
womens and childrens shelter, the senior adult missionaries completed
the installation of new plumbing and new carpet, a repainting of the shelters
largest room, electrical work, renovation of the directors office and
construction of a wall of shelves to store clothing.
When detailing the activities, Senior Adult MissionLab Director
Toni Wimberly said the group went above and beyond what was planned, “following
Gods leadership in providing much more than expected.”
Retired contractor David Morrison agreed. “It would normally
take a contracting crew a week to do what we did in two days,” he explained.
“I think God was helping us.”
Bennet added: “Its neat when the clients see that
people do things, because they wonder why it is being done. When they see that
people volunteer their time, and pay for everything themselves, it opens a door
for them to communicate about Gods love.”
Whenever asked, Bennet offers the following explanation: “We
tell them it is because they love Jesus and they care about you that they do
these things.”
She also pointed out that although the senior adult volunteers
had brought the supplies from DeRidder, when they saw other needs, they opened
their wallets and bought other items to finish their projects.
This is particularly helpful for people who seem to have nothing
but bad circumstances surrounding them, Bennett said. “When they see good
things happening from good people, it gives them hope.”
Summarizing the entire project, Bennett recalled what one senior
volunteer said when she thanked him for his efforts.
“We did this for God,” he replied.
“They did not come to do it for their own glory,”
Bennett said. “They came to do it for God and his glory. When he said that,
it made me light up and smile, because that is truly the reason for their work.”
Pointing to Friendship Houses newly-renovated building,
Bennett said, “You can look at my building and see that it was all for
Gods glory.”
During a chapel service, New Orleans Seminary President Chuck
Kelley encouraged the senior adults in their work.
“Two thirds of the people in the history of the human
race who ever reached the age of 65 are alive today. I do not believe that is
an accident of medical science. I believe it is a provision of God for his church,”
he noted.
“For God has chosen to do for this generation of older
adults what he has never done before since the days of Noah,” Kelley continued.
“He has chosen to give a generation extended life. And this group of senior
adults from First Baptist Church, DeRidder, are here using those years of their
lives to invest them on mission in the city of New Orleans.
“Senior Adult MissionLab brings in senior adult groups
not to see all the sights or to enjoy all the food, but to invest their lives
in telling our city about Jesus,” Kelley said.
Adult leader Mary Jane Wilbanks, who performed in a clown ministry,
said, “I feel like someday when were in heaven one of these men,
one of these children will say I remember you. Your name is Bubbles. I
knew you were behind that puppet stage, you cooked me a hot dog, you were the
bag lady … you gave my mother these diapers to bring me home in or this blanket.”
(BP)
(For details on involving senior adults – and youth – in mission work in New
Orleans, persons may call 800-662-8701, ext. 3241 for senior adults and ext.
3364 for youth or visit online at www.missionlab.com)