Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Classifieds
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Classifieds
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial

Louisiana church reaching Lake Charles area through parking lot ministry

  • September 10, 2021
  • Louisiana Baptist Message
  • Latest News, Louisiana, Missions
Members of Bethel Metropolitan Baptist Church in Lake Charles greet a motorists during a weekly food distribution out of its parking lot.
(Baptist Message photo)

Louisiana church reaching Lake Charles area through parking lot ministry

Each Saturday morning, Bethel Metropolitan Baptist Fellowship Church’s parking lot is transformed into a massive feeding operation where up to 150 Lake Charles area motorists line up to receive a boxed meal, some as early as three hours before the official start.

Since opening the parking lot ministry in 2020 to serve individuals impacted by Hurricane Laura, the church whose worship attendance averages 15 members, has seen God move mightily, according to Pastor Clyde Lewis. Their efforts to show Christ’s love has encouraged many food recipients and even has led to 20 professions of faith.

“The church is in worship on Sunday but on Saturday the church is working,” Pastor Clyde Lewis told the Baptist Message. “You see the cars line up around the building and block and it just fires me up.

‘Jesus has called us to love all people’

“The thing I keep pushing to my members is this is our assignment,” he continued. “We are called to the people’s business. People matter to God so people have to matter to us. You can’t do it unless they are your passion. When you talk about people, it’s all people. Jesus has called us to love all people. You get a chance to minister to people not just by telling them about Christ but through your actions.”

Lewis, who has been pastor of Bethel Metropolitan Baptist for 10 years, said his members have embraced a call to reach others with the gospel. They distribute food to the homeless each month, host gatherings for the community at a nearby civic center, serve meals to pastors several times a year, assemble care packages for inmates and perform acts of kindness to law enforcement and firefighters.

“The Lord blesses you when you are blessing and being a light to the community,” Lewis said. “He will never let a church fail that will serve others. Churches that die are churches that aren’t reaching people but churches that are committed to reach people and the Great Commission tend to be around for a long time.”

EDITOR’S NOTE — This article was written by Brian Blackwell and was originally published by Louisiana’s Baptist Message.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Online scammers steal $793K from NC church
    Online scammers steal $793K from NC church
    January 28, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Disaster Relief teams activate quickly, efficiently to support Memphis first responders
    Disaster Relief teams activate quickly, efficiently to support Memphis first responders
    January 28, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Ukrainian guest professor partnering with TN Baptists to aid homeland
    Ukrainian guest professor partnering with TN Baptists to aid homeland
    January 28, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Online scammers steal $793K from NC church

A North Carolina congregation’s plans to move into a new worship center this spring have been put on hold after cyber criminals stole more than

Disaster Relief teams activate quickly, efficiently to support Memphis first responders

Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers responded to an unusual request from the state earlier this week to provide support for first responders preparing for anticipated

Ukrainian guest professor partnering with TN Baptists to aid homeland

A Carson-Newman University staffer has secured the assistance of local Baptist associations and churches in East Tennessee to aid his native country in war-torn Ukraine.

U.S. Hispanic Protestant churches growing through community, evangelism

Hispanic churches in the United States face unique challenges but are finding success in building community within their congregations and reaching those outside their walls.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel