First Baptist Houma
Bayou Baptist
Association
HOUMA – First Baptist Church of Houma, which is building a school as well as a new church complex on 23 acres in northwest Houma, invites families this summer to participate in the school construction.
The new church construction is being built by contractors; the school, by volunteers.
“This school is a total act of faith,” said Steve Folmar, pastor since 1999. “We will begin construction May 1 and build until the school is completed.”
In an area that is 78 percent Catholic, Christian students need an opportunity to study in a God-centered, Bible-based environment that will give them the foundation to become solid leaders in their adult lives, Folmar said.
Covenant Christian School, a ministry of First Houma, started last fall in the church with classes for students in Kindergarten through eighth grade, nine teachers, and 149 students enrolled.
For the 2008-09 school year, classes are slated to go through ninth grade, four teachers are to be added, and 190 students have enrolled so far. The school plans to add one grade a year, Folmar said. After a thorough search, David Myers of Temple, Texas, recently was hired as Covenant’s principal.
“We need volunteers to help build this school,” Folmar said. “This would be a great place for a family mission trip. I’ve got three boys and they were doing mission projects when they were as young as 7 years old. … You’d be amazed at what they can do. If you wait until they’re 18 to take them on a mission trip you’ve probably missed out on the opportunity to teach them to be an on-mission adult.”
Youngsters can pick up trash, tote lumber, hold one end of a measuring tape, carry water, haul mud, stack buckets, go-fer whatever is needed and much more, the pastor said.
Older youngsters and teens can learn a trade.
Jeff Sampson, LBC architect, drew the plans for the school and church. Adam Hope is the superintendent for the school project.
The association’s Disaster Relief shower trailer will be on site, and housing – with cots – will be available in another of First Houma’s campuses, about 1.5 miles from the construction. Contact Dean Legg or Steve Folmar for more information at 985.851.2520.
– Karen Willoughby
Jefferson Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge Association
BATON ROUGE – When Hurricane Rita ripped loose the roof of Beth Shalom Synagogue in 2005, flooding the sanctuary and fellowship hall, the rabbi and congregation president called on the nearest friend they had.
Rabbi Stanton Zamek and Robert Krupkin walked across the parking lot to next-door Jefferson Baptist Church and asked Pastor T.C. “Tommy” French Jr., if they could use the church sanctuary for High Holy Days services scheduled for the next weekend.
“I’ve never seen two men more distraught in my life than they were,” French said. “Of course we offered them our buildings for as long as they needed them.”
The 140-family Beth Shalom congregation met in Jefferson’s sanctuary for several months until their own roof was repaired and then met there occasionally over the next two years for special occasions like High Holy Days and bar mitzvahs and bar mitzvahs.
“Hurricane Rita was definitely a low point,” Rabbi Zamek said, “but Rev. French has been one of the greatest friends I have in the (Baton Rouge) interfaith community.”
On April 12, Beth Shalom rededicated its renovated sanctuary and during the ceremony they presented Rev. French with an ornate, framed certificate emblazoned with a large, silver “hemsa,” or symbol for the hand of God, imported from Israel.
“Rev. French has been such a close friend, both at a personal level and at the community level,” Krupkin said. “He’s made the relationship between Beth Shalom and Jefferson Baptist a very unusual one for our Jewish congregation and a Baptist congregation.”
French said he was “very pleased” with the gift.
“This will always remind me of the Holy Scriptures that bind us together,” Rev. French said. “Even in tragedy we see that God provides.”
As Jefferson Baptist celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and the 50th anniversary of French as pastor, Southern Baptists also are making special note.
Louisiana College gave French an honorary doctorate April 20; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is to lead the Sunday morning service June 1, with President Chuck Kelley preaching.
The Jefferson choir is to lead in a special service Sept. 14, and the “main event” of the year-long celebration is Homecoming Nov. 15-16.
Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, will speak during a Saturday night banquet and the Sunday morning worship service.
“We’re hoping anybody who’s ever been involved with the church will come back for this,” a church spokesperson said. Reservations are required for the banquet. Standing room only is anticipated for the Sunday morning worship service.
– Mark Hunter