About us
In 1930 times in America were very hard, particularly for poor blacks living in the south. America was in the midst of the crucial days of the Great Depression. The Dust Bowl made it difficult for famers to make a living. People were poor and unemployed during a time when it was a disgrace to be unemployed. Those that did work did so sometimes for as little as 20 cents a day.
St. Luke began her history in midst of those hard time. In April 1930, in the home of Mother Handy, St. Luke #2 Baptist Church was founded. Rev. R.P. Rhodes served as the founding Pastor. The Church’s membership consisted of a small group of faithful Christians. The church was organized with the purpose of providing a place where believers could meet to praise and worship God and fellowship with their fellowman.
Shortly after the organization the founders moved from Mother Handy’s home to a place called “The Brick.” The church marched forward to a house close to the Douglas Island School, and then to Cadillac Street in Agurs. The oldest church roll found was dated 1939. Thereafter the church relocated to a location on Old Mooringsport Road. The tine came for St. Luke to finally have a permanent home. The church moved to a house at 1183 St. Joseph Street and erected a building for St. Luke #2 Baptist Church.
Pastor Rhodes served for a number of years. After Pastor Rhodes, Pastor R.P. Williams was called to serve. The members were dedicated to the mission. The next Pastor to serve was Rev. E. M. Gray who served from 1940 until his death in 1966
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Rev. Joseph Smith was the next Pastor. Pastor Smith served form August 1966 to September 1977. Under his leadership the current church site was chosen and paid for. The site was selected by Deacons Nathan Taylor, Henry Hardin, O.B. Jackson, and Chester Thomas, all deceased. In 1977 Pastor Smith resigned and Rev. Garner Hodge was called to the pastorate.
In early April 1979, Pastor Hodge and Deacon Nathan Taylor met at the “new church site” with Mr. C.K. Carter of Carter Construction Company to discuss construction of the new building. Mr. Carter informed them that, unless the church formed a corporation, it would be difficult to get the necessary financing to construct the building.
On May 2, 1979, at 2:17 P.M, docket #79262, St. Luke #2 B.C. became, “The St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church,” filed and recorded at Caddo Parish Courthouse. The Incorporates were Pastor Garner Hodge, Deacons Nathaniel Taylor, Sam Bryant, Chester Thomas, and Ernest Stringer, all deceased. The current building was erected and occupied under Pastor Hodge leadership. Pastor Hodge served until he resigned. Pastor roger Wilson was called to Pastor. Under his leadership the church’s note was burned. Other Pastors who served as St. Luke’s Pastors are Ministers Rickey Deming and Larry Shepherd. In 2014, Minister Dewey Crayton, Sr. united with St. Luke M.B.C. and serves as Youth Pastor.
On March 16, 2003, St. Luke called Minister Damon L. Humphrey, Sr. a young visionary, to be her Pastor. Pastor Humphrey re-instituted the midweek Prayer Meeting & Bible Study. During the first seven years Pastor Humphrey baptized several new converts and a number of new members united with the church. Emphasis was placed on growth and development of the church’s youth. Pastor Humphrey instituted “Home Bound Communion” as an outreach to our sick and shut-in-members. The church’s effort to spread the good news of the gospel has included annual stewardship revivals and community reclamation and evangelistic visits in the neighborhood. Our church now has a food pantry that is ready to meet the needs of our community.
In 2012 three new Deacons (Franklin Turner, Kasey Brown, Sr. and Keith Brown II were ordained. The current deacons are Deacon Franklin Turner, Chairman, Deacon Kasey Brown Sr., Secretary/Treasurer, Deacon Samuel Green. The future Deacons in training are Brother Donald Ray Spearman, Brother Fredrick Holmes, and Brother Emitheus Tibbs.
St. Luke M. B. C. has partnered with the local non-profit organization, Image Changers, Inc. to provide space for a tutoring program and transportation to get students to the program.
In preparation for our next building our visionary Pastor led the church in the acquisition of additional property adjacent to the church, and most recently, across the street and behind the church. He instituted a building improvement fund and commissioned a Building Fund Committee charged with overseeing plans and fundraising activities for the new worship facility.
Through the spiritual guidance of Pastor Humphrey, the Lord has done great things for our church family. It is our goal to continue to reach people for Christ, those who do not have a church home and /or do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. It is our mission to glorify God through daily application of His Word by preaching, teaching, counseling, ministries, and programs, to empower and equip the Body of Christ to live the abundant life.
By the grace of God and the Power of the Holy Ghost we will continue the upward direction, praising and worshiping our God all the way.
