By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
POLLOCK, La. (LBM) – Eleven months after a fire destroyed most of the facilities of the New Friendship Baptist Church, the congregation is amid a rebirth.
While the church was devastated due to the loss of buildings, they have enjoyed the goodness of God through donations, phone calls and in-person visits. Additionally, five new converts were baptized in a lakeside service in June.
“I have never seen this many people join together to help a church out,” Pastor Lloyd Whitman told the Baptist Message. “Churches from different denominations have sent us money, called to ask what they can do and donated items, like chairs. It’s been a blessing to me as pastor to see the unity, not only with our people, but with people from all denominations. It’s been wonderful to see an outpouring of love from all areas and not just Baptists.”
“The people of the church have experienced a true awakening of unity, not only from us but from the community and other communities,” he continued. “They feel blessed that people all over are giving and sharing with us. It brings tears to our eyes. Our people have been so encouraged and are excited about even greater things to come.”
The fire began at 9 a.m., Feb. 16, and engulfed the worship center, education building and fellowship hall. Fire crews from Jena, Grant Parish, Deville and Ruby-Kolin extinguished it soon after.
The parsonage, which is across the road from the other buildings that burned, was not harmed.
Rather than fold, the church pressed forward with 215 gathered for a tent service on the property, Feb. 19.
The church continued meeting under the tent for Sunday morning worship, and have used the parsonage for Sunday school, Sunday evening worship and Wednesday evening Bible study. On Aug. 6, the church relocated services to St. Edwards Catholic Church in Fishville.
Additionally, in May, the church held a tent revival service (with pastors and praise teams from sister churches in the Big Creek Baptist Association providing messages and music each night), and hosted children for Vacation Bible School.
The church, which averages 75 in worship, is looking forward to rebuilding on site. Church members along with Dick Debusk, interim Big Creek Baptist associational missions strategist, Jeff Sampson, architect, and John Hammond, builder, gathered to break ground on a 250-seat worship center and a fellowship hall that, collectively, will be 9,000 sq. ft.
Whitman hopes the project will be completed by the summer.
“My members have been so positive since the fire,” Whitman said. “No matter the need, they have stepped up and done it. There has been no dissension or disagreement and that is something that as a pastor is so encouraging as we go forward.”
