The doors at Bayou Sorrel Baptist Church near Plaquemine never
are locked.
“The church is always open – literally because the
doors are never locked and spiritually because the church familys minds
and hearts are always open to fresh ideas from God,” says Michael Ellerbe,
Bayou Sorrel pastor.
The doors at Bayou Sorrel Baptist Church near Plaquemine never
are locked.
“The church is always open – literally because the
doors are never locked and spiritually because the church familys minds
and hearts are always open to fresh ideas from God,” says Michael Ellerbe,
Bayou Sorrel pastor.
“The accessibility of the church physically is a mirror
of the congregations mind-set,” he notes. “Bayou Sorrel Baptist
Church and its people are here, open and willing to be used by God to further
his kingdom.”
Located in the small, south Louisiana community of Bayou Sorrel,
the church is surrounded by people from various backgrounds. Most Sundays, between
50 and 60 people gather for worship, an increase of 20 percent since Ellerbe
and his wife came to the church in 2000.
Although Ellerbe says the church should not be growing in light
of the communitys depressed economy and lack of measurable population
increase, that is not the case for the Bayou Sorrel congregation.
“I believe, because of open hearts, prayer and the willingness
to do whatever it takes by the church family at Bayou Sorrel Baptist Church,
our Lord is growing his church,” Ellerbe emphasizes.
Ellerbe says ministering in a church setting such as Bayou
Sorrel always will pose challenges.
“We all need to realize that ministering to the saints
at the small church has just as much value as ministering at the larger church,”
he notes.
“The Lord honors both when done with a servants
heart.”
When Ellerbe and his family came to Bayou Sorrel Baptist Church,
he says they found what they had prayed for – people hungry to hear the
gospel.
Ellerbe says for a church to reach its community, prayer is
a major factor.
“All of the marketing genius in the world wont work
without prayer,” he insists. “Prayer doesnt change things as
much as it changes you and prepares you to not only hear from God, but to be
obedient to what he tells you.”
The “do whatever it takes” attitude is yet another
quality of a church that wants to impact the community, Ellerbe adds.
“This could mean money, but more than that, it means putting
your hands and feet to the task, not just lip service, and having a heart to
reach the world,” he says.
“If you and your church members are willing to put your
feet in gear more than your rhetoric, then, you will begin to see some growth.”
This “do whatever it takes” attitude is evident at
Bayou Sorrel, as the members do not expect the people to come to them but rather
go to where the people are.
“If its in line with the Lord, were willing
to change our method of reaching others,” explains Jo Ann Mendoza, a member
of the Bayou Sorrel congregation for 32 years who serves as the church pianist
and a Sunday School teacher.
“Were willing to do whatever it takes to reach crowds
that is in line with the Scriptures,” she adds.
For instance, last Christmas, the church hosted a community-wide
Christmas party that included an opportunity for children to have their picture
made with Santa Claus. Church members provided Polaroid cameras, and the church
bought the film.
Since many persons in the community cannot drive 45 minutes
just to have their childrens picture made with Santa Claus at the mall
for five dollars, this ministry left a lasting impact on those it touched, Ellerbe
explains.
“It was a wonderful experience in breaking down barriers
and coming together, not only as a body of believers but as a community of people
enjoying each others company,” he says.
“And that is the kind of atmosphere where fruitful ministry
can take place.”
Many Louisiana Baptist churches also hold Vacation Bible School
sessions each year, and Bayou Sorrel Baptist Church is no exception.
And when members from First Baptist Church of Lafayette, lent
a helping hand in the summer Bible school effort, 72 children attended, with
26 making commitments to accept Christ.
Ellerbe attributes some of his churchs subsequent Sunday
School growth to Vacation Bible School efforts.
One ministry that grew out of the visit by members from First
Baptist Church of Lafayette was the liturgical dance troupe, which performed
at the Bible school. The teenage girls at Bayou Sorrel Baptist Church developed
an interest in that ministry and started their own group, headed by Ellerbes
wife, Elain.
Elain says all age groups and genders participate in the liturgical
dance program.
“Its ironic how a small town rural church would
jump into this,” she explains. “We have teenage girls that are now
coming because of the troupe.”
The church also reaches teenagers through its “Teens Plus”
night on Thursdays. The program offers a Bible lesson, games, snacks and crafts.
For such a small community, Ellerbe says the turnout has been outstanding.
Peggy Bellot says the atmosphere at the church is like a family.
“Its easy to talk to everyone here,” adds Bellot,
who joined the Bayou Sorrel Baptist Church in January.
“We cut up a lot here, and its a really good environment.”
Mendoza adds: “Here, its like whats mine is yours, and whats
yours is mine. We have a spirit of unity, and wed do anything for each
other.”