In mid June, we were excited to start accessing our new main entrance. While some areas are still under construction, the opportunity to walk through the new doors was a time of joy and thanksgiving for God's direction and faithfulness! We also have access now to new restrooms and our new First Steps room. We anticipate a grand opening in early fall 2023!
While our exterior expansion continues, we're excited about the renovations for some of our current spaces. Our Commons Area is under construction as we add small group rooms and a Family Room for viewing Sunday morning services with young children. We can't wait for you to see the updates!
When we get a vision from God, it often seems impossible and overwhelming. But when we follow God's leading, He equips and provides! Here we are, one year into the Decades initiative, and YOU, our community, have committed to complete the funding of this Decades initiative ($18M) which funds our ongoing ministry, generosity to ministry partners, and the completion of our campus expansion. Thank you for being on this journey with us!
When challenges arise, God calls the Church to faith in action. And we've seen how the faith and generosity of our members has allowed construction to move full steam ahead so that we are ready for decades to come to meet the needs of Acadiana and beyond! Take a look back with us of all that has happened regarding our Decades initiative in the last year.
Our commitment to ongoing ministry includes Sunday morning services, small groups, and programs for preschoolers, kids, and students. Our goal is to help people know God and discover the full and lasting life that He has for them. Check out what Carolyn has to say about discovering God's faithfulness through generosity.
We loved seeing so many join us for our Wall Signing Ceremony, but we especially loved praying over this new space and dedicating its use to glorify God! We know God will use it to draw people to Him for decades to come! Thanks to all who have given faithfully to make this expansion possible.
When Jesus came to earth, He didn't just invite us to believe certain truths ... He invited us to live a certain way. For thousands of years, followers of Jesus have served their communities and the world in practical ways, making a real difference in people's lives. The Bayou Church is continuing in that long legacy of faith in action. We invest in Christ-centered local and international organizations who offer a "hand-up" rather than a "hand-out" to those most in need. And we had the honor of blessing these ministries in December because our members are so generous and faithful in their giving.
We are excited that the steel beams of our 33,000-square foot campus expansion are in place. We have prayed for continual safety of all who are working on our campus, and we are thankful for no injuries. The new space is coming together, and we are excited about the families in Acadiana who will be transformed in this space over the next few decades. Thank you to all who are giving faithfully to our Decades initiative to make this happen.
Our commitment to ongoing ministry includes Sunday morning services, small groups, and programs for preschoolers, kids, and students. Our goal is to help people know God and discover the full and lasting life that He has for them. Check out what Sean and Alicia have to say about attending The Bayou Church for the first time and discovering the hope we have in Christ. Your faithfulness to our Decades initiative allows us to fund ongoing ministry each week.
We are excited about the first of two foundations pours of concrete for our 33,000-square foot campus expansion. We loved watching the skill and precision of Kent Design Build and their 30-plus crew and 40 cement trucks to make this happen. But more importantly, we are excited about the families in Acadiana who will be transformed in this space over the next few decades. Thank you to all who are giving faithfully to our Decades initiative to make this happen.
Our commitment to ongoing ministry which includes partnering with parents is the foundation of our mission. While we believe parents are the primary faith-trainers for their children, we are here to come alongside them in that journey. It's one of the reasons we offer age-graded Sunday services, summer camps, and special events for preschoolers, kids, and students. Check out what Heather has to say about being able to send her five children to camp this summer! Your faithfulness to our Decades initiative allows us to fund ongoing ministry each week.
On Sunday, May 15, we kicked off the expansion project with a groundbreaking ceremony in which 200 people of all ages gathered with shovels to participate. The expansion, which will add an additional 32,485 square feet to our current 40,000-square foot building, includes a central lobby, new kids space, a 250-seat multi-purpose worship venue, a centrally accessible coffee shop, and multiple new restrooms. Among those in attendance, we were honored to have Mayor-President Josh Guillory and Councilman Josh Carlson as well as Pastors Daniel Kelly (Harvest Church) and Alex Lazard (Destiny of Faith Church). Thank you to all who attended for this historic moment in the life of our church and community.
Kent Design Build completed the demolition of our 45-year-old building, formerly Roller City. The 33,000-square foot building has served as worship and event space since it was purchased in 1986.
As it started, Pastor Sean shared, “It’s a bittersweet day as this building has had so much ministry for decades⸺so many small groups, worship services, gatherings, meetings, people finding community, and so many people led to Christ in this place. We are thankful for the use of this building, but we’re excited about what the future holds."
Our commitment to making a difference in Acadiana and beyond has never been stronger. Part of our Decades initiative over the next two years includes investing in our ministry partners. We continue to be committed to living and loving like Jesus by serving those most in need. That's why we were excited to give a donation check to The Refinery Mission as they expand their campus to provide transitional housing for men.
As a first step to demolition, we paused to thank God for the years of use from the Ministry Center. We thanked Him for the lives changed and for what He can do with the items we're salvaging and repurposing to further the mission of Habitat for Humanity. Over the course of several days, volunteers from The Bayou Crew, Kent Design Build, and UL Lafayette students dismantled doors, light fixtures, toilets, and more to sell in the two Habitat ReStore locations. Proceeds from the ReStore are used to help build homes in Acadiana.
Everything starts with a seed. But nothing happens until the seed is planted. On Sunday, February 20, our church family planted seeds of generosity by making their 2-year commitments to our Decades one fund on Decades Commitment Sunday. We celebrated with Viva La Waffle.
Our leaders stepped up on Thursday, February 10, to make their 2-year commitments to our Decades one fund which will cover ongoing ministry, Make A Difference Fund, and future expansion (new building).
Check out what they had to say about why they are committed to Decades!
Check out these stories of people who share why they are committed to the Decades initiative.
