The West St. Charles Baptist Church of Boutte would argue that they’re not in New Orleans. Strictly speaking, they’re 20 miles or so west of the city, located on U.S. 90 in the middle of a growing segment of suburbia. But everything about the communities of Boutte, Lakewood, and Luling depends on their proximity to New Orleans, so we’ll not split hairs.

I preached for them Sunday morning, emphasizing two points the Lord has laid on my heart to carry to our churches these days: the role and responsibility of pastors from Acts 20:28 and the responsibility of church members from Hebrews 13:17. Since WSCBC is pastorless, this is a good time to try to affect their philosophy on these matters.

In the late 1970s–in the days of the oil boom down here–this church was regularly featured by the denomination as one of our fastest growing churches in America. The oil bust came along in the mid-80s and people moved out, then the church went through a succession of pastors and these days, they struggle to hit 100. But they are a wonderful group of folks and situated to have an incredible ministry, if…. If they get the right pastor and if they support him.

We will appreciate your prayers for West St. Charles Baptist Church.

The First Baptist Church of Westwego is located a half dozen blocks north of U.S. 90 some 15 miles back toward New Orleans. Jay Adkins has been their pastor for the last half dozen years, and it seems to me the church is doing very well. The last time I worshiped with them, their sanctuary was gutted out, boxes of supplies to be distributed in the community lined one wall, and you could see the sunlight shining through the blue tarp overhead. But no more.

The sanctuary is lovely in every respect. After church this morning, they served a meal, then at one o’clock an ordination council was convened for Mike Sibley. Many members stayed around for the 2 pm ordination service. All the vital signs I could see look great for this small church. Brian Scholl is their student pastor, Daniel Savage has just come as worship leader, and Bill Hughes is the minister of education. With Mike and Rose Sibley also in the congregation, it says that Jay Adkins is attracting some quality helpers in the Lord’s work in Westwego. (And yes, we thank the Lord for the seminary, because all of these men and their wives are connected either as students, faculty, or staff with our School of Providence and Prayer.)

The Westwego church has a group from North Jacksonville (FL) Baptist Church in town this week, gutting out and rebuilding houses. Next week, two groups from Oregon and Ohio will arrive. Pastor Jay is in Huntington, WV, in revival next week, at Westmorland Baptist Church where his father is pastor.

In the ordination service, Jay read John 15:15ff and shared these reminders to Mike Sibley: 1) Your relationship with God is primary; 2) Your role for God is to bear lasting fruit; 3) Your responsibility to God is to love His people; and 4) Your rivals will hate you, but you are to keep your eyes on the Lord.

A line from that scripture passage jumped out at me. Jesus prepares His disciples for their future ministry with this line: “If they kept my word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20). I will tell you, friend, that is powerful. Ask any preacher. You go to a church and people reject your ministry. They choose not to like you and you discover they are meeting in clusters in the foyer to plan ways to oust you. Now hear the word of the Lord: “They do not keep your words because they have not kept my words either.” For that is precisely what He is saying.

People treat the pastor the way they treat Jesus. He is not visible, so they attack the one who is visible and who best represents Him. Gnaw on that one for a while.

Third church: Grace Baptist in the Bywater section of New Orleans. After their block party Thursday night, I asked Pastor Charlie Dale to copy me with his report. Here are some excerpts.

“We had over a hundred people from the neighborhood come to the block party and about 20 of our own members. It was great. The jazz band did a tremendous job. They fed 135 people before running out of food. The neighbors were so appreciative of this. Two people came up and said, ‘I want to see those nice young people who invited me here.’ Four people received Christ as their Saviour through the personal witnessing of the young Texans.”

“At one point, I was talking to a family from our neighborhood. She is Catholic but doesn’t attend church. He’s a musician who plays around the French Quarter. As we talked, another couple from our church walked up and it occurred to me that their backyards actually adjoin. I had the privilege of introducing them. Some 15 minutes later, I noticed they were still talking. Neighbor reaching neighbor, that’s what I’m praying for.”

“Thanks for praying for Grace Baptist Church and the Bywater this week.”

When people ask how our churches are doing down here, I sometimes tell them most anything you say is true. Some are doing great, flourishing even, and many are gathering strength and coming back, and some are still on life support.

We will appreciate the prayers of our friends. And as I’m wont to do, may I give you a suggestion on how to pray: pray prayers of faith. Don’t just call the name of a church or ask God to bless, but pray specifically for Grace or FBC Westwego or West St. Charles and claim in the name of Jesus God’s great overshadowing presence for this church, His overpowering guidance for its leaders, and His overcoming victory for their ministries. Rebuke the enemy. Claim God’s victory through the blood of Jesus, in the Name of Jesus, for the sake of Jesus.

Thank you very very much. Very much.