By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
WOODWORTH – A long-time dream finally became reality Sept. 27 when Louisiana Baptist staff, pastors, volunteers and other supporters who played a key role in the fundraising and construction of the Georgia Barnette Conference Center gathered on the grounds of Tall Timbers to dedicate the new facility.
Actual work began on the facility 14 months ago but the idea was visualized long before.
“This has been a buildup over about four years from vision to completion,” said John Hebert, missions and ministry director for Louisiana Baptists. “I’m grateful for all those who volunteered – over 250 volunteers — and the hundreds and hundreds of donations. God bless you. We appreciate you so much.”
Since early 2013, the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s missions and ministry team led by Hebert has been raising money for the new center. They also have made hundreds of presentations to churches, Woman’s Missionary Union groups, individuals, missions education groups, various other audiences and at annual associational meetings.
The 8,400-square-foot facility was designed for flexibility, providing a 560-seat auditorium layout or the option to change the floor plan into six meeting rooms with a 280-seat general assembly space.
The center is named after Georgia Barnette, the first elected and paid Woman’s Missionary Union executive director/treasurer in Louisiana. Every year Louisiana Baptists collect the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering in her honor.
The conference rooms were named for M.E. Dodd, Joseph Willis, J.D. Grey, Carl Conrad, E. O. Ware and the Woman’s Missionary Union.
The facility hosted its first meeting following the ceremony, when members of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board met in the auditorium.
