By Message Staff
WOODWORTH – A long-time dream to build a conference center and missions training facility has finally become reality.
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 Tuesday, Sept. 27 on the grounds of Tall Timbers Conference Center to dedicate the facility. The facility hosted its first meeting following the ceremony, when members of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board met in the auditorium.
“This has been a buildup over about four years from vision to completion,” said John Hebert, missions and ministry director for Louisiana Baptists. “And I’m grateful for all those who volunteered – over 250 volunteers (and the) hundreds and hundreds of donations. God bless and 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, making hundreds of presentations to churches, Woman’s Missionary Union groups, individuals, missions education groups, associational groups and at annual meetings of associations.
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.
Cecil Gassiott, the owner of construction company in Alexandria, accepts a plaque of appreciation from John Hebert, missions and ministry director for Louisiana Baptists. Gassiott, a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Woodworth, is among many who have given financial and volunteer resources to help make the Georgia Barnette Conference Center possible.
A standing room only crowd attends the dedication ceremony of the Georgia Barnette Conference Center Sept. 27, 2016.
