November 2004

Since the congregation on the Northshore began about 12 years ago, approximately 130 people, including children, have worshipped here at one time or the other. We have had two full time evangelists and two elders. That eldership was dissolved when they were transferred to another area.

There have been 9 baptisms, 9 have been restored, one has gone home to heaven, and several have fallen away. We currently have 44 who are at worship services on a somewhat regular basis, 33 of those have been baptized into Christ and 28 are identified with the work at this location.

During those 12 years we have changed locations 3 times. The last move in July 2004 was by far the most meaningful with the completion of the new building.

Five families began the original work and everyone shared in the initial start up costs (rent, utility fees, etc.) and the Lord has continued to bless us with a steady contribution to meet immediate operating costs, to provide benevolence for fellow members, to save for a future building and to partially support the evangelists who have worked with us. It is truly amazing to have five or six families move away and see the contribution continue unaffected.

We have been and continue to be each others family, enjoyed an abundance of hospitality, shared happiness and sorrow. With broken hearts we have watched some fall away and cried tears of joy as others have been restored to serve the Lord. Everyone has been blessed in so many ways – spiritually and personally. We have survived and overcome serious roadblocks the devil has cast our way, but have always strived to serve the Lord in word and deed to the very best of our ability.

May we all reflect on the great things that have been accomplished over the past 12 years. The future stands before us and souls wait for us to bring them the only gift that will change their lives forever.

- Beverly Wilt

December 2006

Hurricane Katrina hit our area hard on August 29, 2005. The building was spared. Some of our families lost homes. All originally stayed in the area. Eventually several families moved away for business. We did gain many Christians who moved up here from New Orleans. This was a blessing to us, but meant that certain families were devastated by Katrina.

My family arrived here in the Spring of 2001. This congregation was meeting in a strip mall, had no elders, and the membership was about 20+. Today we have our own building (July/2004), an Eldership (Ken Wilt and Chet Guillot appointed in Dec/2004), and a membership of 38 Christians, plus 14 children, plus 1 pregnancy. We continue to have a sizeable number of visitors.

Jeff Carr