User Log On
Bible Center
About Bible Center

Our Staff

Gary McCall
    Pastor

Bible Center
13145 US-90
LA 70039
Phone: (985) 785-0557
Email: gmail.com@biblecenterluling

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Contact

Prepare to Visit

What to Expect

We are a family of believers, centered on exalting God, valuing integrity, spiritual life, relationships and family. If you want to know more, read about the beliefs and the vision and values of our church.

We are a Bible Church

We use the Bible a lot and can provide one, or you can use a Bible App. Our emphasis is on teaching the Bible in a way that is clear and relevant to daily living. On Sunday, our pastor leads us in worship through studying the Bible while many of us take notes. We also provide a plan that allows you to read the entire Bible in a year.

A Family Church

We seek to strengthen marriages and the spiritual development of families. We have an adult Sunday school and prayer time before the service, and children's church and nursery during the service.

A Missionary Church

Our goal and practice is to start new churches locally in Louisiana and internationally through missions outreach.

We don't pass the plate

We never pass an offering plate, nor do we try to embarrass anyone, but we do like to sing and talk. Stay after the service, get to know people and make new friends.

Temporarily in Boutte

We are still recovering from Hurricane Ida. The outside of our church has been repaired and is looking good, but the inside is being renovated. In the meantime, we are meeting just down the road at United Way Plaza, 13145 Highway 90 in Boutte.

Review our Beliefs

Articles of Faith

Article III of our constitution outlines the key doctrines of our church. Scroll down to read more about each of our beliefs and the associated Bible references. We also have videos about each major doctrine.

1. The Holy Scriptures

  1. We believe the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is the verbally inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, and therefore the final and trustworthy authority for faith and life.
    • (Prov 30:5; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21, 3:15-16; Matt 5:18; John 16:12-13)

  2. We believe the Holy Scriptures should be interpreted using the literal, grammatical, historical method.

2. The Godhead

  1. We believe there is one God, eternally existing in three persons ― Father, Son and Holy Spirit ― co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections.
    • (Deut 6:4; 2 Cor 13:14; Matt 28:19)

  2. We believe God is the eternal Spirit who created all else and who has revealed Himself to be unchangeable in His being which is among other attributes wisdom and knowledge, power, presence, holiness, love, justice, goodness, and truth.
    • (Ps 90:2; John 4:24; Heb 11:3; Jam 1:17; Exo 31:3; Acts 15:18; Rev 19:6; Ps 139:7; 1 John 1:4; 1 John 4:8; Ps 145:17; Exo 33:19; Rom 3:4)

  3. We believe the term “Father” in the Bible describes the relationship between God and His Son, Jesus Christ as well as His people Israel and those whom He has called to Himself by faith. As God’s children, we expect His discipline. There is a sense in which as Creator, all mankind is His offspring, but not all display His character. He is also described as the Father in heaven indicating both location and supremacy. It was the Father’s will that salvation be provided through the Son. The Father determines the times and seasons for the establishment of His “end time” kingdom.
    • (Matt 3:17; Exo 4:22; Gal 3:26; Heb 12:9; Acts 17:28; John 8:44; Matt 6:9; Eph 1:3-6; Acts 1:7)

3. The Person and Work of Christ

  1. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin called Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men.
    • (John 1:1-2; Luke 1:35; John 1:14)

  2. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, because of his sinless life, was able to accomplish our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.
    • (2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:22,24; Rom 3:24-25; Heb 4:15; Eph 1:7; Rom 4:25; 1 Cor 15:1-8)

  3. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. He is the one mediator between God and man.
    • (Acts 1:9-11; Heb 7:15; 9:24; Rom 8:34; 1 Tim 2:5; 1 John 2:1-2)

  4. We believe Christ will return for the church in an event known as the Rapture. In His subsequent return to earth with His saints, He will establish His millennial kingdom.
    • (1 Thess 4:13-18; Zech 14:4-11; Rev 19:11-16; Rev 20:1-6; 1 Thess 1:10; 1 Thess 5:9)

4. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

  1. We believe the third person of the Triune God, the Holy Spirit, has all the elements of personality: intellect, emotion, and will.
    • (Matt 3:16-17; 28:19-20; 1 Cor 2:10-11; Rom 8:27; Eph 4:30; 1 Cor 12:11)

  2. We believe the Holy Spirit presently works to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He is the regenerator who baptizes all believers into one body of Christ. He indwells and seals all believers unto the day of redemption. He intercedes for believers when we don’t know what to pray.
    • (John 16:7-11; Titus 3:5; 1 Cor 12:13; 2 Cor 3:6; 1 Cor 12:12-14; Rom 8:9; Eph 1:13-14; Rom 8:27)

  3. We believe the Holy Spirit is the Divine Teacher who gives spiritual gifts to believers and guides us into all truth. It is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with and walk in the Spirit.
    • (1 Cor 12:4-11; Rom 8:14; John 16:13; 1 John 2:20, 27; Eph 5:18)

5. Angelic Beings

  1. We believe God created a multitude of sinless, spiritual beings, known generally as angels, prior to the creation of our world. Their purpose was to serve God and most still exist in holiness before God’s throne where they serve as ministering spirits to believers.
    • (Ps 148:2,5; Neh 9:6; Col 1:15-17; Heb 1:13-14; Job 38:4,7; Luke 2:9-14; Heb 1:6-7,14; Heb 2:6-7; Rev 5:11-14; Rev 19:9-10; Rev 22:8-9)

  2. We believe Satan is a person, also called the Devil, who was the serpent in the Garden of Eden and as such is the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of mankind into sin. He is the open and declared enemy of God and man. He will be bound during the millennial kingdom of Christ, then released for a short time to stir the nations into rebellion, and then be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire.
    • (Job 1:6-7; Isa 14:12-17; Matt 4:2-11; Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10; Gen 3:1-15; Rev 12:9)

  3. We believe some angels, whom we now call demons, followed Satan in rebellion against God. Others have been reserved in darkness until the judgment day.
    • (Matt 25:41; Jude 6; Rev 12:3-4, 7-9)

  4. We believe mankind and angels are distinct and different creations of God. While angels sometimes have appeared in human form, people who die remain human and do not ever become angels.
    • (Gen 1:26-27; Job 38:4-7; Gen 18:2,22; 19:1; 1 Cor 6:3; Luke 24:39; 1 John 3:2)

6. The Total Depravity of Man

  • We believe mankind was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin, the human race fell from our holy position, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Mankind is utterly unable to remedy our lost condition.
    • (Gen 1:26-27; 2:17; 3:1-7; 6:5; Ps 14:1-3; 51:5; Jer 17:9; John 3:6; Rom 3:20-23; 5:12; Eph 2:1-3, 12; 1 John 3:8; 1 Cor 15:21-22; Gal 2:16)

7. Salvation

  • We believe salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on the cross at Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins.
    • (Eph 2:8-10; John 1:12; Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 1:18-19)

8. The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers

  1. We believe all the redeemed, once saved are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever.
    • (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom 8:1, 38-39; 1 Cor 1:4-8; 1 Pet 1:5)

  2. We believe it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an excuse to do anything you want.
    • (1 John 5:10,13; Rom 8:16; Gal 4:6; John 5:24; Rom 13:13-14; Gal 5:13; Titus 2:11-15)

9. The Two Natures of the Believer

  1. We believe every saved person possesses two natures, our old sinful nature inherited from Adam and a new spiritual nature received at salvation.
    • (Gal 5:17; Eph 4:22-24; Rom 5:12; 2 Pet 1:4)

  2. We believe the Christian lives a holy life by depending on the Spirit rather than indulging the old nature. However, all claims to the removal of the sin nature in this life are unscriptural.
    • (Rom 6:13; 7:18-24; 8:12-13; Gal 5:16-25; Col 3:10; 1 John 1:5-10)

10. Spiritual Life

  1. We believe our life as saved people should exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and encourage other believers. We do this by holy living through walking in the Spirit rather than living for sinful pleasures and practices.
    • (1 John 2:15-17; 2 Cor 7:1; 2 Tim 3:1-4; Rom 14:13)

  2. We believe God commands separation from churches and organizations who reject the Word of God as their authority for life and doctrine, or who reject faith in Christ as the only way of salvation.
    • (2 John 9-11; 2 Cor 6:14)

11. The Ministry and Spiritual Gifts

  1. We believe God is sovereign in the bestowment of all His gifts.
    • (1 Cor 12:11)

  2. We believe the gifts of evangelists, pastors and teachers are sufficient for the maturing of the saints today building upon the past work of the apostles and prophets.
    • (1 Cor 9:1-2; 2 Cor 12:12; Eph 4:7-11)

  3. We believe speaking in tongues and the working of sign miracles gradually ceased as the New Testament was completed and became the established authority for faith and practice. Not every Christian spoke in tongues. The Bible teaches that tongues were languages, not gibberish, and that even the unsaved could understand them. Sign gifts were to authenticate the Apostle’s message about Christ. Now that the New Testament is complete and the Apostles have all died, that is our authority, not prophets or people who have visions or dreams, or those who speak in tongues.
    • (1 Cor 12:30; Acts 2:4-13)

  4. We believe God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accord with His own will, for the sick and afflicted.
    • (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14-15; Jam 5:14-16)

12. Missions

  • We believe it is the obligation of the saved to witness by life and by work to the truths of Holy Scripture and to seek to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples establishing local churches among them to carry on the work of discipleship.
    • (Acts 11:19-21; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor 5:19-20; Matt 28:19-20)

13. The Church

  1. Universal Church
    We believe the church began on the day of Pentecost. It could not have existed until Christ died to redeem the church by His blood and the Holy Spirit came to baptize believers into Christ’s spiritual body, the church.
    • (Matt 16:18; Acts 2:41; Eph 5:25-27; Acts 2:1-4; 1 Cor 12:12-14)

  2. Local Church
    We believe the New Testament teaches the establishment and continuance of local, self-governing churches.
    • (Acts 14:27; 20:17; 1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:4-11)

14. Ordinances

  • We believe Jesus commanded His church to observe two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We do not believe these are sacraments which must be observed for a person to be saved.
    • (Matt 28:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-26)

15. The Eternal State

  1. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all mankind. The saved will be raised to life and the unsaved to condemnation.
    • (John 5:28-29; Matt 25:46; Dan 12:2)

  2. We believe the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await resurrection, when their souls and glorified bodies are reunited to be with the Lord forever.
    • (John 11:25-26; Luke 23:43; Rev 20:4-6; 2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thess 4:16-17)

  3. We believe the souls of unbelievers remain after death, in conscious misery. When the unsaved souls and bodies are reunited, they will appear at the Great White Throne to be judged according to their works. All whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be condemned and cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment.
    • (Luke 16:19-26; Rev 20:11-15; Matt 25:41-46; 2 Thess 1:7-9; Mark 9:43-48)

Learn our History

Since the 1960s

In the beginning, several families in the Boutte-Luling area wanted a local, independent church, so they started having Bible studies and prayer meetings in their homes in 1962. Rev. John Lawrence, pastor of New Orleans Bible Church where several families attended, taught though sometimes tape recordings were used.

Years of preparation

These meetings were held off-and-on over a period of seven years. The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways! While these prayers were going up in Luling, the Lord was working a thousand miles away in West Virginia (WV) to fit pieces together in answer to these prayers. Three families were moved out of an independent church in South Charleston, WV; two to the Luling area and one to Texas and Illinois before an ultimate Luling destination.

Larry Miller, a young engineer with Union Carbide, was transferred to Taft, LA in 1965. The following year, the Birds were moved to Texas and the Mallorys to Taft, LA. The Millers had become acquainted with Tom and Bernice Gilbert at the New Orleans Bible Church. They also lived on the same street in Mimosa Park. When the Mallorys arrived, their friends, the Millers, invited them to attend church with them and there they also met the Gilberts. The pieces of the puzzle were still not connected, but the Lord was continuing the process. Rev. Lawrence, whose ministry had really touched Larry Miller, had resigned and moved to Memphis, TN just before the Mallorys arrived. This was another puzzle piece which later make it easier for members to be open to the Lord's leading.

During late 1966 and early 1967, the Lord was dealing with Larry. In fact, Larry even drove to Memphis to consult with his mentor, Rev. Lawrence, to confirm his conviction that the Lord was calling him into full time Christian ministry. Larry returned and resigned his UCC position and moved his family to Dallas, TX, to attend seminary. When Larry was departing, we casually mentioned to him to send us a pastor teacher for the Luling area; but we of little faith, really thought it would be Larry who would be the answer to our prayers as soon as he finished seminary. This has been a rather detailed account to just show the mysterious way in which the Lord was working.

The foundation members of the new church to be, the Gilberts, Mallorys, and several other Luling families, meanwhile continued to serve the Lord in the New Orleans Bible Church. In Larry's second year at Dallas, he called the Gilberts and told them about a student graduating in May who would make an excellent pastor for a new local work. His name was James (Jim) Raiford. Larry didn't know what Jim's plans were, but he suggested we call Jim and have a talk with him. This excited the group so they met the next night at the Gilberts and contacted Raiford, to see if he would be willing to come for a meeting. He agreed to come the weekend of March 7-9, 1969. With this information, we immediately started making plans for the visit. Phyllis Mallory, a teacher at Mimosa Park Elementary School, made arrangements with Mr. Coy Landry to use the school's band room for this special meeting.

Worship services begin

A friend from New Orleans Bible Church supplied a picture of Raiford. The event accompanied by this picture, was advertised in the local newspaper. We also, had a large stack of brochures made and posted in all the local businesses. Jim contacted Burl and stated that he had received and accepted a teaching position at Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, AL. Needless to say, we were disappointed and, after much prayer and telephone conversations, Jim agreed to come and fulfill the speaking engagement, since it had been advertised throughout the community. Jim arrived on Saturday, March 8th. Our group met him at the Gilbert's home and spent the evening discussing how to start a Bible Church. On Sunday, March 9th., we had our special service in the band room of Mimosa Park School, which had a piano for our musical worship, with about thirty people in attendance. We were merely trying to "scout out the land", but the Lord did more than we had hoped for; He gave us the desires of our hearts and the church was born that day.

Even though we did not have a pastor, we did have a body of believers and our first church pianist, Mitch Mallory. Sunday afternoon was spent at the Gilberts with Jim answering questions concerning the next steps we needed to take. He guided us through the church planting issues and encouraged us by stating, "There will be a Bible Church in Luling". Jim had many telephone conversations giving instructions on writing the church constitution and deciding on a name for the church.

The name Bible Center Church was selected to show that the emphases would be on God's Word and there would not be a church denomination attached to the church. In the meantime, Jim sent another graduating student, Danny Threaton, to hold services the next Sunday. We were faced at this time with another problem, a regular meeting place and speakers for our Sunday services. Tom and Burl decided to go and talk to Mr. Landry to see if the school band room could be used on a regular basis. Not only was this possible, but he said there would be no charge and gave them a key to the building. This provided space for morning and evening worship services and the adjoining cafeteria provided Sunday School space. Since there was no facility for a nursery, the Mallorys, who lived only two and a half blocks down the street, made nursery facilities available in their home. Wednesday evening Bible study and prayer was held at the Gilbert's home with Dave Vannoy leading the study.

The new church is formed

In March, 1969, a group of fifteen families met in the Mimosa School Cafeteria and signed the charter for the birth of the Bible Center Church (BCC) of Luling.

Jim continued to be the source of direction and counsel. He was so involved that he began having doubts about his decision to go to Birmingham and asked us not to completely discount him as a pastoral candidate. Before he graduated from Dallas, he and his family returned to Luling. This gave him an opportunity to evaluate our progress and we were able to meet his family. As they were leaving Luling after the Sunday evening service, a family discussion caused them to realize that the Lord was calling them to be our spiritual leaders. They had perfect peace and assurance that this was God's will for them at this time. Jim telephoned his acceptance to become Bible Center Church's first pastor.

Now all the puzzle pieces had formed the Lord's answer to the prayers offered up several years before by a small group of believers. The Lord's timing is perfect! Jim began as Pastor of Bible Center Church on June 15, 1969 and started the process of building a firm foundation for the church. To God be the Glory! By April of 1970, the Lord had added twenty-six new members to bring our membership to a total of sixty-seven.

There was a real burden for the lost and even with limited finances, the BCC took on support for our first missionaries, Don and Wanda Johnson. They were ministering to the Indians of Louisiana through Bible Conferences and Missions in Elton, LA.

A building is needed

We truly were walking by faith! BCC had rented a house near Majorias Supermarket as a parsonage, but we were faced with finding a building site for the church. Many trips throughout the area did not provide anything suitable.

After looking for property for months, still nothing could be found under $40,000-$50,000, which was completely out of our range for the number of people attending BCC. Securing a Building for BCC On July 14, 1969, a telephone call from Frank Livaudais, a building contractor in the area, said, "If you will come and look at this land I have to offer, you will buy it." Tom Gilbert, Burl Mallory and Pastor Raiford met Mr. Livaudais and he offered ten lots on Barton ave., just off Highway 90, for $12,500. This was unbelievable in one of the best locations in the area. After experiencing this miracle of God supplying His building site, next question was how are we going to pay for it? Around this same time, Tom Gilbert sold his business and offered the church a loan of $75,000 to buy the land and build a church. A building committee was formed, made up of the official Board of BCC. The committee went to work on a floor plan that would meet immediate needs and stay within the budget. Mr. Daniel A. Powell, a friend of Tom's, said we could build a 6,000 sq. ft. building and the total package, building and property, would cost approximately $85,000.

Praise the Lord! Mr. Dominick Ochillo, would allow church people to work, where possible, to cut down the cost. The miracles never ceased! The BCC congregation approved the plan on Aug. 31, 1969. The building was completed April 6, 1970. While the church was under construction, BCC continued to hold regular services in the Mimosa Band Room. It was with great praise and gratitude when we made the move into our new facility, even though we had to use folding chairs for pews. We no longer had to use the Gilbert's swimming pool for a baptistry, as we had on Sept. 21, 1969, or use other private homes to accommodate our needs.

The ministry could now be expanded and our first Vacation Bible School was held in July of 1970. The Pioneer Girls and Christian Service Brigade Programs were started. Camp Pearl in Eunice, LA and Miracle Camp at Ringold, LA provided Christian summer camping programs for our youth. Our dedication service for the new building was held on Sept. 27, 1970 at 2:00 p.m. We now had a building, a full-time pastor, a missionary, and a small dedicated body of believers who trusted the Lord to supply the financial means to support this new work. The Lord was ever faithful as evidenced by an agreement Tom and Burl had made between themselves, in order to have a full-time pastor, that they would pay the pastor's salary that first year if necessary; but it was never needed!

A second building is added

The church continued to grow and pews were added and a grand piano was purchased. Meeting the needs of a Growing Church in the course of six years, the facility had become inadequate for the growing needs of the church. It was back to the drawing board for plans for an additional building. A 5,600 ft2 activities building was planned to provide additional Sunday School rooms, a new nursery, a kitchen, and a multipurpose room. It was planned so that eventually, when needed, the multipurpose room section could be converted into two floors of Sunday School rooms and a third multipurpose building could be added on the south side of the Sunday School building.

In 1976, the church applied for a loan from First Federal Savings and Loan for $150,000. This would pay off the $66,000 existing mortgage and build the new section. The loan request was turned down. The building committee documented the church assets and financial statement and requested an appointment with the bank president. Raymond Worrell and Burl Mallory went to Thibodaux, LA and presented these reports to the president. After looking them over, he asked that a meeting with the official board be arranged. His closing remark was that if the board was as enthusiastic as Raymond and Burl, the bank would reconsider their request.

After hearing this report, the church prayed and a meeting was arranged. During the meeting, the bank president announced his approval for the loan after about five minutes, and gave the church a personal contribution of $500 for the building fund. Ten men signed the mortgage application. They were: Ken Arnold, George Bird, Arvis Griggs, Burl Mallory, Lindy Mayfield, Gene Shackelford, Bob Stephens, Raymond Worrell, Don Gunnels, and Clyde Boutwell. After all these years, Clyde is still an active member.

The additional space made it possible to provide smaller Sunday school classes and an indoor play area for youth activities and social functions. The BCC women formed the Joy Fellowship group as a ministering arm of the church. During the next ten years, several pipe line right-of-ways across the church parking lot were sold. This provided extra funds for the ministry. One pipe line company had purchased the lot adjoining the church property and, after running their line, they approached the church officials and donated the lot to the church because they were not in the business of owning property.

Debts are paid

In the early 1990's, the church experienced its first real financial problems, due to several families being transferred out of the area. The board was faced with two options: refinance the loan for additional years, or challenge the church members to pay off the remaining loan balance as it existed and save any additional interest costs. The people responded and the existing loan was paid off in about seven months. A special mortgage burning service was held in October 1991, with several former members attending.

Pastors and Associates

Bible Center Church has had six pastors:

  • Jim Raiford (Jun 1969 - Jul 1974) wife, Delores
  • Arvis Griggs (Jan 1975 - Jun 1978) wife, Martha
  • Ben Bailey (Sep 1978 - Jun 1983) wife, Judy
  • Dan Hornok (Apr 1984 - May 1986) wife, Sheryl
  • Roger Coulter (Dec 1986 - Aug 1994) wife, Debbie
  • Gary McCall (Oct 1995 - present) wife, Jimmie Lynn

The church has had five associate pastors:

  • Bill Parker under Pastor Bailey
  • Shane Hudman under Pastor Bailey
  • Rick Goertzen under Pastor Coulter
  • Danny Foote under Pastor McCall
  • Chris Berg under Pastor McCall

Several church members have served as volunteer youth leaders when paid staff was not employed.

Missionaries

The church has always had a missionary vision for the lost and has supported, with prayers and financial aid, the following:

  • Bill and Linda Parker - Avant in Texas
  • Caroline Bradshaw - Haiti
  • Dale and Linda Duhe - Wycliffe in the Philippines
  • David and Irma Gomez - Weavers Evangelism in Guatemala
  • Don and Wanda Johnson - Indians of Louisiana
  • Ed and Eleanor Beach - Weavers and Wycliffe
  • Ethel Hoff - Chinese Missions
  • Eugenia and Tias Campo - Central American Mission
  • Gordon and Janette Jones - Zambia Mission
  • Jason and Joyce Johnson - Medical Ambassadors and Montana Indians
  • Jim and Vergie Tanner - Jewish Missions in New Orleans
  • Mario and Paola Iglesias - Church Planting in Basque Country
  • Mike and Amanda Ball - Church Planting in Fiji
  • Mike and Jo Brown - Liberia Mission
  • Nathan and Siobahnne Duhe - Wycliffe in Papua New Guinea
  • Pablo and Fiorella Ramirez - Church Planting in Argentina
  • Rev. and Mrs. Don Meyette - Child Evangelism
  • Virginia Fridal - Interior Missions in Sudan
  • Will and Jennifer McCall - IFCA Army Chaplain

In addition to students, several institutions were supported in the Missions Outreach Program and students from the church family attended Bible training institutions:

  • Berean Bible Church, New Orleans
  • Child Evangelism Fellowship
  • Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX
  • Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, MI
  • Southeastern Bible College, Birmingham, AL

The faithfulness of God

As we have researched the history of the church, our hearts have been thrilled again by what the Lord has done. We were people without insight into church organization, but the Lord went before us performing special miracles:

  • Brought Pastor Raiford to Luling instead of to Birmingham
  • Provided a great temporary meeting place
  • Provided land for a church
  • Made finances available
  • Provided a building contractor who allowed us to work
  • Granted a loan for the activities building
  • Provided finances to pay off the mortgage
  • Pipe lines crossing church property made us debt free

King Solomon wrote in Psalms 127:1, "Except the Lord build the house, we labor in vain that build it." We knew it was the Lord's doing and it was marvelous and exciting to be instruments He could use. Satan has raised many obstacles over the years, but we as a congregation have realized that he desires to sift us as wheat, and by God's grace, we have been victorious. Our prayer is that a work so miraculously started will be found faithful when He comes.

Last updated on 5-Oct-2024