MARK H. HUNTER, Special to the Message
EDITOR’S NOTE – Some names mentioned in this story have been changed to protect their privacy.
CENTRAL [img_assist|nid=7055|title=Sellers Ministries|desc=Stanley and Marlene Cheatham donated his family home and property in Central to the Family Ministries in 2000, which was used as a satellite campus for residential child care. In 2007 the Cheatham Oaks campus was transitioned into the current Sellers home for pregnant young women.|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=73]– When Cassy Maxwell fled Houston, Texas, and her abusive boyfriend two years ago, she ended up in Baton Rouge homeless and pregnant.
“I googled ‘maternity home, Baton Rouge’ and Sellers turned up,” said the 20 year-old mother of Jonah Maxwell, now 21 months old. “It’s funny how God works and leads you to places.”
All her belongings were in a friend’s car. “I had no place to go … I didn’t believe in God at all,” she said, her eyes brimming with tears. “But the moment I stepped foot in here, my life changed. I’ll never be the same again.”
Maxwell is graduating from a nursing school this month and will soon become a licensed practical nurse. She has a home, a healthy son and a bright future. “I really appreciate what Sellers has done for me,” she said with a big smile.
Maxwell is just one of thousands of young women whose lives have been radically changed by the Sellers Maternity Ministries since it began 90 years ago as an emergency shelter in New Orleans.
Now located in a spacious 13,000 square-foot, eight-bedroom home located on 23 park-like acres north of Baton Rouge, the home ministers to a half-dozen pregnant girls at a time.
Nearly 100 friends, supporters and former residents enjoyed an afternoon of reminiscing and fellowship on Sunday, Jan. 23, to celebrate the 90th anniversary.
“As far as we know, we are the only maternity ministry to survive 90 years helping girls and their babies,” said Perry Hancock, president and CEO of Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries.
Marc Eichelberger, director of development, described how in the 1920s the Woman’s Emergency Shelter was established by Clovis Brantley as part of the New Orleans Baptist Men’s Rescue Mission.
Over the years it grew and moved several times. In the 1950s it was named for Thomas B. Sellers MD, an obstetrician who donated his medical services for 33 years.
John Williams, the ministry’s former director, described how in the 1990s it was moved to Tallulah into a donated home.
Stanley and Marlene Cheatham donated his family home and property in Central to the Family Ministries in 2000, which was used as a satellite campus for residential child care. In 2007 the Cheatham Oaks campus was transitioned into the current Sellers home for pregnant young women.
The Cheathams raised four sons here, one who was adopted, an addition to the family that prompted them to help adopted children, Mr. Cheatham said after the reception.
“Just the joy of getting him in our lives made us want to do the same for others,” she said.
Anne Hyatt, a ministry trustee, told how she and her husband, Leon Hyatt, had adopted four children through the ministry many years ago and why Sellers was so important.
“Young mothers can feel hopeless but through encouragement and counseling and prayer they come to see there is hope and there is a future,” Hyatt said. “I think of Sellers as a beacon that shines a light into the lives of the babies, their mothers and their families.”
Samantha, 17, lives in a nearby town. She stayed at Sellers before having her baby Amy, who is now 19 months old. The young mother is working nearly fulltime as well as finishing up her senior year at high school.
“I had an appointment for an abortion but I bailed on it that day because my cousin did an intervention with me,” Samantha* said.
Living at Sellers during her pregnancy “was the best thing that ever happened to me. They are so giving to us. They are really great people!”
Nicole Coursey, 41, is a former Sellers resident whose daughter is now 25 years old. She now volunteers at the home and befriends the girls, taking them out to eat and to sports activities.
“At 16, I was a troubled teenager from a middle-class family,” Coursey said.
“If it weren’t for Sellers I don’t know what I would have done. I thank God for Sellers.”
Allison Schoonmaker, the center’s counselor, told how society has changed over the years and the stigma and shame that used to be associated with teen pregnancy is no longer an issue.
“Most of the girls parent their children; some get adopted,” Schoonmaker said. “We just love on the girls as Jesus would love on them.”
Kayla* is 15 and came to Sellers last fall from a nearby town. Like the other girls, she attends Central schools, where, she says, it’s hard to be the new kid, especially a pregnant one. But she likes Sellers and is glad she is here.
“I had never been to church. I drank alcohol and had sex and didn’t care anymore about myself,” Kayla said. “They are teaching me responsibility and helping me to become a success.”
The house parents, Brent and Sarah Ryland, and relief parents Ken and Arlene Hudson, teach the girls life skills, transport them to jobs, school and Zoar Baptist Church, and encourage them in decision-making.
“The most important thing for us is to maintain an atmosphere of love, calmness and peace,” Brent Ryland said. “We want to help them see that God loves them and they are worthy and they can achieve their goals.”
Some names were changed to protect privacy.
Maxwell is graduating from a nursing school this month and will soon become a licensed practical nurse. She has a home, a healthy son and a bright future. “I really appreciate what Sellers has done for me,” she said with a big smile.
[img_assist|nid=7053|title=Sellers Ministries|desc=Stanley and Marlene Cheatham donated his family home and property in Central to the Family Ministries in 2000, which was used as a satellite campus for residential child care. In 2007 the Cheatham Oaks campus was transitioned into the current Sellers home for pregnant young women.|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=73]Maxwell is just one of thousands of young women whose lives have been radically changed by the Sellers Maternity Ministries since it began 90 years ago as an emergency shelter in New Orleans.
Now located in a spacious 13,000 square-foot, eight-bedroom home located on 23 park-like acres north of Baton Rouge, the home ministers to a half-dozen pregnant girls at a time.
Nearly 100 friends, supporters and former residents enjoyed an afternoon of reminiscing and fellowship on Sunday, Jan. 23, to celebrate the 90th anniversary.
“As far as we know, we are the only maternity ministry to survive 90 years helping girls and their babies,” said Perry Hancock, president and CEO of Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries.
Marc Eichelberger, director of development, described how in the 1920s the Woman’s Emergency Shelter was established by Clovis Brantley as part of the New Orleans Baptist Men’s Rescue Mission.
Over the years it grew and moved several times. In the 1950s it was named for Thomas B. Sellers MD, an obstetrician who donated his medical services for 33 years.
John Williams, the ministry’s former director, described how in the 1990s it was moved to Tallulah into a donated home.
Stanley and Marlene Cheatham donated his family home and property in Central to the Family Ministries in 2000, which was used as a satellite campus for residential child care. In 2007 the Cheatham Oaks campus was transitioned into the current Sellers home for pregnant young women.
The Cheathams raised four sons here, one who was adopted, an addition to the family that prompted them to help adopted children, Mr. Cheatham said after the reception.
“Just the joy of getting him in our lives made us want to do the same for others,” she said.
Anne Hyatt, a ministry trustee, told how she and her husband, Leon Hyatt, had adopted four children through the ministry many years ago and why Sellers was so important.
“Young mothers can feel hopeless but through encouragement and counseling and prayer they come to see there is hope and there is a future,” Hyatt said. “I think of Sellers as a beacon that shines a light into the lives of the babies, their mothers and their families.”
Samantha, 17, lives in a nearby town. She stayed at Sellers before having her baby Amy, who is now 19 months old. The young mother is working nearly fulltime as well as finishing up her senior year at high school.
“I had an appointment for an abortion but I bailed on it that day because my cousin did an intervention with me,” Samantha* said.
Living at Sellers during her pregnancy “was the best thing that ever happened to me. They are so giving to us. They are really great people!”
Nicole Coursey, 41, is a former Sellers resident whose daughter is now 25 years old. She now volunteers at the home and befriends the girls, taking them out to eat and to sports activities.
“At 16, I was a troubled teenager from a middle-class family,” Coursey said.
“If it weren’t for Sellers I don’t know what I would have done. I thank God for Sellers.”
Allison Schoonmaker, the center’s counselor, told how society has changed over the years and the stigma and shame that used to be associated with teen pregnancy is no longer an issue.
“Most of the girls parent their children; some get adopted,” Schoonmaker said. “We just love on the girls as Jesus would love on them.”
Kayla* is 15 and came to Sellers last fall from a nearby town. Like the other girls, she attends Central schools, where, she says, it’s hard to be the new kid, especially a pregnant one. But she likes Sellers and is glad she is here.
“I had never been to church. I drank alcohol and had sex and didn’t care anymore about myself,” Kayla said. “They are teaching me responsibility and helping me to become a success.”
The house parents, Brent and Sarah Ryland, and relief parents Ken and Arlene Hudson, teach the girls life skills, transport them to jobs, school and Zoar Baptist Church, and encourage them in decision-making.
“The most important thing for us is to maintain an atmosphere of love, calmness and peace,” Brent Ryland said. “We want to help them see that God loves them and they are worthy and they can achieve their goals.”
Some names were changed to protect privacy.