By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
MONROE, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries gathered on July 16 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Legacy Room. The room celebrates 125 years of sharing Christ’s love with children, their mothers and countless others around the state.
The Legacy Room inside the Rucker-Austin Center on the Monroe campus features a chronological timeline of events covering all four walls and artifacts from its history.
The LBCHFM was birthed in 1899 when William Cooksey, pastor of Pine Grove Baptist Church, Bernice, had a vision to start an orphanage. Since then, the entity relocated from Lake Charles to Monroe and expanded its ministry to see thousands of families impacted by the Gospel through foster care and adoption; compassion ministry; job training for women; ministry to homeless women and their children; counseling services; and a ministerial care residential program.
“We’re celebrating what God has done for 125 years here at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home,” LBCHFM President and CEO Perry Hancock told the crowd during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “From its beginnings as the Louisiana Baptist Orphanage to the multifaceted ministry it is today, the mission of the Children’s Home has remained the same – to provide love, care, and hope in Christ for children and families in need.”
Matt Coker, director of development and public relations with LBCHFM, expressed thanks for God’s faithfulness and the service of the many employees who have served since the ministry was founded.
“125 years is more than just a number,” he said. “Every year represents a year of God’s faithfulness, His provision for the Children’s Home. We’re so thankful for that.
“The Children’s Home has a legacy of hope,” he continued. “It’s a legacy of hope for children and families. It’s a legacy of hope that’s affected my life and probably affected your life, even if you don’t know.”
Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jay McCallum, joined by his family, shared the story of their ancestor, Jim Bowen, who first donated to the ministry in 1898. Bowen, who was 14 years old, donated a silver dollar after hearing a message from Cooksey.
McCallum said Bowen’s service has impacted so many lives 125 years later.
“He didn’t give a lot, but I promise you he gave everything he had,” McCallum said. “We are called to serve God, and one of the ways we can do this is by serving others.
“Jim Bowen is a legend in our family because of the lesson that it teaches all of us that we are to serve others and that we’re not to give a portion of ourselves to God’s service,” he continued. “We’re to give all that we are in this service, to do his will, share the Gospel, and in doing so relieve the distress of others.”
Ricky Bullock, a trustee and former resident of LBCHFM, shared how the ministry provided a place of refuge and security for him and his two brothers when they became residents on June 6, 1960.
“It’s a privilege to be at home,” he said. “I tell everyone, ‘This is home.’ It always has been and always will be.”
“Life at the Children’s Home was good,” he said. “… We knew every day that they cared about us as much today as they did yesterday and will care about us as much tomorrow as they did today. To me, it was the best place if I couldn’t grow up with my biological mother and father. This new archive room we’re dedicating today tells a wonderful story about the children’s home history with documents, photographs, and artifacts. I don’t know over the years how many children have come through this ministry or been touched by this ministry, but I do know this, it has to be in the 10s of 1000s. And it started with that dollar Jim Bowen gave 126 years ago.”
Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis presented the ministry with a proclamation of appreciation from the city. He added that the mission of the LBCHFM resonates with his family, who adopted one of their children, Aurie, from a foster home.
“So anyone that has that charge, or that that calling placed upon their heart, we understand what it means to give a child love and stability, what that means for that child, the healing that goes on with that, the fact that you don’t have to be of my blood to be my child,” he said. “I think we all understand that God’s charge to us when it comes to caring for widows and orphans is very clear. He does not mince his words. And you often hear me say that loving your community is more than just a feeling. It is an action. And I think your mission here is an action for our community.”
Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn reiterated how the LBCHFM fulfills the biblical command of caring for widows and orphans.
“Today, indeed, is a day of incredible celebration,” Horn said. “Most of all, it’s a celebration and Thanksgiving to the Lord. It is also a celebration of a cooperative spirit we have as Louisiana Baptists.”
Horn shared how he and his wife, Linette, adopted their son, Dru, in 2010.
“The day that we had our final day in court was adoption,” Horn said. “The attorney showed up with a tie that represented the resurrection, an empty tomb, a tomb, the stone rolled away, and he very proudly said, ‘You see my tie. I always wear this tie when I come to court for adoptions because it’s a picture of the hope that this child has.’ The resurrection is a great symbol of the hope that all of us find in Christ and a picture of the hope that children find in ministries like this Children’s Home.”
Mike Hawkins, chairman of the board of trustees, noted that: “When you empower others to do it, you multiply that ministry many times, and the Children’s Home will be a great resource for folks all over the state to get involved directly in ministry. I appreciate that so much. I appreciate the chance to be involved and learn about it, and I look forward to all that the Children’s Home will continue to do.”
Those interested in visiting the Legacy Room as part of campus tours can schedule a tour by emailing mcoker@lbch.org or calling 318.343.2244.
