By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – David Shelton was left homeless after a fire destroyed his Shreveport condominium, April 21, but within a few hours God provided new accommodations at the recently opened Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association temporary living facility.
Since then, Shelton has felt the love of Christ at his one-bedroom apartment and been reminded of a hope for the future.
“I am now in the midst of Matthew 25:40, which says ‘and the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me,’” Shelton said. “I praise God for the love and compassion shown to me during this time.”
Shelton’s story is like so many other residents who are grateful for the opportunity to stay at the center.
The vision for Masada Transitional Living Center was cast in 2016 after Western Hills Baptist Church Pastor Joey Ketchum indicated an interest in opening the facility on his church property. After discussions with associational leadership, renovations to the building were begun a year later.
Much of the $350,000 needed to renovate the facility was funded through the sale of Hosston Baptist Church, whose members in 2017 donated the property to the association after deciding to close their doors because of the death of their pastor and declining attendance. A section of the facility, Hosston Hall, is designated to remember the gesture of the members.
“We had just $50,000 to complete such a big project and we prayed God would provide the rest,” associational compassion ministry strategist John Anderson told the Baptist Message. “Sure enough, Hosston Baptist Church’s members contacted us with an interest to make the best use of their property and once an Assemblies of God church in Vivian purchased the facility, we were able to use that money to complete the project. It was a God thing, and we are so thankful those members from Hosston had the foresight to do look to the future.”
The facility opened in January and hired area resident Faith Washington to serve as house manager. She helped welcome the residents from Fairfield, Shelton’s former residence, after the condominium complex’s manager contacted the association to share about the need to house some of the displaced residents.
Anderson said three people from Fairfield, and eight others, have lived at MTLC since late April. The residence has 19 rooms (eight for single men, eight for single women and three for families), a dining room and a gathering area; and rent is just $80 a week to help residents save money for a future beyond their temporary stay.
Area churches have delivered some meals to the residents, who are unable to cook because the center is not equipped with a full-service kitchen. Bible studies also are held inside the facility.
NWLBA Director of Missions Lane Moore added that the association’s churches have responded well to the ongoing needs of this special ministry.
“Occasionally, the association office will receive a call from a pastor looking for a place to help a church member who needs a short-term place to live,” he said. “They’re not destitute and may have a job. They’ve probably made a few bad decisions and Masada is safe and affordable place to land for a few weeks or months.”
