Houston, New Orleans churches ‘love on’ H-Town

HOUSTON?Almost a year ago, Hurricane Katrina forced thousands of people out of New Orleans and into Houston. In July, members from Houston’s First Baptist Church, the oldest church in the city, and Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, the largest in Louisiana, united to minister to Houstonians at Kelly Village Apartments.

On July 11, these Southern Baptists served the low-income citizens of this complex in one of many sites of “The Houston Project”?the city’s largest mission effort. It is led by First Baptist Church and this year joined by many from Franklin Avenue who have called Houston?and facilities of First Baptist Church?home since last year’s hurricane.

Those on mission provided hot meals, frozen treats, Vacation Bible School, praise and worship, games, and Bible study to the neighborhood’s children, youth and adults.

Gary Mack, an associate pastor at Franklin Avenue, said: “I love this. I’ve learned to use the term ‘lovin’ on ’em’ from Pastor Greg [Matte of First Baptist Church] and I don’t normally use that. But I love that term because that’s exactly what we’re doing here. We’re lovin’ on God’s people.”

During the entirety of The Houston Project, First Baptist, Franklin Avenue, and 250 middle school and high school students from various churches in Texas and Missouri ministered to more than 1,500 youth and adults throughout the Houston area in various mission projects.

The Houston Project began in a First Baptist Church singles class in 1998. Today, it has evolved church-wide and beyond.

“Throughout the year, our people come back and build relationships with these folks,” Matte said. “Here at Kelly Village where we are, it’s really even a neater story because this is the location of partnering with Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. We have just gotten to be the best of friends. ? We love them and they love us.”

“The goal,” Matte said, “is to make a difference in our community. We don’t expect one person to join our church at the end of this. ? We just want to come in at their invitation and love on them, care for them, and make a difference in their community as well.”

For more than 15 years, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church ministered to the residents of New Orleans. Under the leadership of Pastor Fred Luter, the church grew from 65 to more than 7,000 in membership. But after Hurricane Katrina hit, the church’s members were scattered, with many of them landing in the Houston area.

Franklin Avenue Baptist is still going strong by utilizing Houston’s First Baptist’s worship facilities for its services, even though the church’s leadership and some members will eventual return home.