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.