By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
LAKE CHARLES, La. (LBM) – Steve James has led Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana, through a relocation, numerous natural disaster responses and multiple waves of baptisms during his 27 years as pastor.
James is a former president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention (2002-2003) in Alexandria, Louisiana, a past trustee (2006-2017), including as chairman (2014-2015), with the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a trustee with the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries (2020-present).
As he reflected on fond memories ahead of his Aug. 31 retirement, James said he is thankful for the way God has used his church to share the hope of Christ with others in southwest Louisiana and beyond.
“I have asked God that the latter days be greater than the former,” James told the Baptist Message. “I am at peace where I am. I have taken the church as far as I think I can take them. Anything you see at Trinity Baptist or hear is all God and He has let me come along for the ride. I give him the praise, honor and glory.”
FROM REBELLION TO MINISTRY
Despite growing up in the home of a pastor, James lived a rebellious life as a teenager, he said. But during a service at Stewardship Baptist Church, Hayward, California, Christ took control of his life and changed him at 18.
“I grew up in the Baptist church and knew about Jesus but didn’t have a relationship with Him,” James recounted. “One day I was talking with my friends and discovered they had a relationship with Jesus, and I didn’t. So, I walked down the aisle in 1970 and said I was a phony and asked Jesus to come into my heart and He did.
“I knew where I was headed,” he continued. “I knew what would happen if I didn’t accept Christ. And He rescued me.”
James, 72, has served as pastor of Trinity Baptist since August 1996. Prior to that, he led four other churches: First Baptist Church, Winnfield, Missouri (1979- 1981); Clearview Baptist Church, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (1981-1986); Fredonia Hill Baptist Church, Nacogdoches, Texas (1986-1990); and Memorial Baptist Church, Baytown, Texas (1990- 1996). He also served as minister of outreach at Casa View Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas (1975-1979).
During James’ time at Trinity, the church: relocated from its campus in downtown Lake Charles to its current location on Country Club Road in the southern part of the city on Oct. 3, 1999; and baptized 3,675 individuals from 1996 to July 9, 2023 (including 65 consecutive weeks of baptisms from October 2021 to January 2023).
The facilities sustained heavy damage from Hurricanes Laura and Delta, yet still served as a hub for ministry to storm survivors, relief workers and law enforcement personnel during multiple natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. Disaster relief volunteers with state Baptist conventions from around the country joined Louisiana Baptist disaster relief teams, other response organizations’ workers and up to 50 Trinity members each day to use the church as a launching pad for ministry. Meanwhile, local law enforcement teams utilized the campus as a staging area, creating even greater visibility for the church’s ministries to the community.
In March 2022, the congregation collected more than $90,000 that was forwarded to Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief, which in cooperation with Southern Baptists’ Send Relief, has used the funds to purchase emergency food supplies, shelter, transportation, medical care and hygiene kits for displaced Ukrainians. A portion also offset costs for a team that traveled to Poland in early May 2022 to minister to Ukrainian refugees.
DECADES OF MEMORIES
While serving 27 years at a church has brought its share of memories, one stands out for James. During Big Blue Bag Day in June 2015, James told only his staff members that he would offer invitations for baptism during its two Sunday morning services and that anyone wishing to take part would have all that was needed in blue bags.
At the conclusion of his message during both services, James offered an invitation for baptism. Collectively, 43 individuals came forward for baptism.
“We had planned and prepared but didn’t announce we would do this,” James said. “The first service I told God that if five people came forward that would be great. We had 10.
“During the second service, we were here until 1:30 baptizing people,” he continued. “The folks didn’t complain, and nobody moved. To watch the Spirit of God begin to touch the hearts of the people was really something.”
James is grateful for the unity among his congregation, which never had a major disagreement or split during his time as pastor.
“We didn’t always see eye to eye, but there was never a schism in the church,” he said. “Every day in my prayer time, I ask God to protect us from jealousy and bitterness. When conflict came up, we dealt with it biblically. God has allowed me to see things on the horizon that might be a problem and to deal with them quickly.”
POST-RETIREMENT
Looking to retirement, James said he will not make any major decisions for at least a year, and will spend time with his wife, Roseanna.
“My wife is a trooper,” he continued. “She has followed me everywhere and been so supportive. She has been a great pastor’s wife.
“If God opens doors for me to preach places that will be fine,” he said. “I just pray that we would be sensitive to God outside of vocational ministry. I don’t want to lose the zeal to share the Gospel.”
James is planning to preach his final sermon at Trinity Baptist on Aug. 20. The following Sunday, the church will hold “A Family Farewell,” an off-campus retirement celebration at the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles. The doors will open at 9 a.m., and a worship ser[1]vice will start at 10 a.m. A BBQ lunch will be served after the service.
