A 100 years in the making

The book of Acts chapter 9 verse 31 states, “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.” Just as those churches were led to grow by the Holy Spirit, followers of Christ at First Baptist Church of Pine Prairie have witnessed the Holy Spirit guide its Christians through a century of church and spiritual growth.
To commemorate the 100 years of growing in Christ that has taken place at FBCPP, which was first organized in 1918 on land donated by Eloi Campbell, the church will host a special service on Sunday, November 4th.
For current church members the event is one that reminds them of what it has meant to be a follower of Christ at FBCC.
Verna Campbell, who has been a member of FBCPP for 41 years, remembers becoming intrigued with the church after getting a glimpse of the former two story building that once stood where the current church is positioned today.
“I had to come to Pine Prairie school after I left Beaver Creek,” said Campbell. “And, one day I went with a cousin of mine to the post office (located on Clark Street at the time) and I saw the church and was wondering why it was a two story church. I started asking around and people started asking me about going to the church.”
Eventually, Campbell, and her husband Arden, made FBCPP their home church. The reason why, Campbell said had a lot to do with the congregation.
“I just loved the people there,” said Campbell, who formally was a member of the FBCPP choir. “Everyone was so friendly. They had such a good choir and the people accepted us so well when we first went to the church.”
The two story church that first peaked Campbell’s interest is no longer the same structure church goers worship in today. However, the impact FBCPP is having on followers of Christ is still prevalent.
When Rhonda Lafleur, who played a major role in preparing for the 100 year celebration, reflects on her memories of the church, it is the outreach projects that stick out in her mind the most. Lafleur’s grandparents were members of the church from 1934 until they passed. FBCPP is also the place her parents were married in 1957.
Lafleur became a member in 1974 once her dad, Bob Quam, retired from the military and moved his family home. She said, “I love our ‘Sisterhood’ mission projects where we reach out to our community businesses with homemade goodies, newborn baby bibles and the amazing Prayer Quilt ministry where we have prayed over and given over 400 prayer quilts to people in need.”
For newer FBCPP church member, Laura Beth Norman, every memory at FBCPP has become so “dear and precious” to her in her “walk with Christ.”
Norman officially joined FBCPP two years ago, along with her husband Chad, who serves as the church’s minister of music and minister of youth. However, her connection to FBCPP goes much deeper.
“My dad and mom, Ted and Pam Bertrand, served in this church in the past,” said Norman. “It is humbling and an amazing experience to now serve in the church my parents once served.”
Norman continued, “FBCPP is a community that draws families in and I am so thankful that the Lord has called me and my husband for a purpose to the same community.”
For Norman, there are two FBCPP church members in particular she thanks, who she said have played a “vital part” in her “relationship with Christ.”
“I would like to thank Mrs. Nona LaFleur for continuously showing kindness and joy every time the church doors open. She is a true testament to 1 Thessalonians 5:16 which states, ‘Be joyful always,’” said Norman.
Norman then went on to thank her grandmother, by stating, “To my Grandmother, Lonia Fontenot, thank you for instilling in me the diligence of studying and learning God’s word and for being a shoulder to lean on.”
For Tonya Soileau, who has been a church member since 1993, hard times brought her to FBCPP, and it was the welcoming spirit of the church that has led her and her family to remain members.
“I had recently been hurt in the church we were in and kind of wanted to give up for a while,” said Soileau. “However, when my family came to FBCPP, we were taken in quickly with hugs, prayers and loved unconditionally.”
As a member of FBCPP, Soileau said one of the things she has enjoyed the most has been the opportunity the Lord has given her to “exercise my talent and love of music God has blessed me with.”
Through the years, members of FBCPP have come and gone with each faithful follower of Christ being impacted by their time spent at FBCPP. On Sunday, past members, present members and maybe even future members will celebrate the 100 year milestone FBCPP has reached.
During the special service, Lafleur said, “We will be thanking God for our Salvation, and for the cherished souls who were obedient in keeping his word and discipling many generations to keep the faith.”
Following the celebration service at 10:30 a.m., lunch will be served to those who attend. There will also be a memorabilia room set up with old pictures from the church as well as a variety of different items sharing the church’s history. All of the public is invited to attend.