NEW ORLEANS (BP)–Imagine the nation’s worst natural disaster striking your home. Water nine feet deep. No more books. No more furniture. No more safety or security.
For two and a half years you’re in limbo, dependent on the kindness of people who take you in. They become friends, though at first there seemed to be a chasm of differences. But, finally, you get to go back into your house, and you see it is exactly the same! Even the same ivory/rose color scheme!
Such a day of rejoicing it was for the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church family Sunday, April 6.
“We’re baaaaaack, y’all!” pastor Fred Luter Jr. exulted, and the New Orleans congregation exploded with joy. “We’re baaaaaack,” he repeated three more times, and each time the congregation responded with more rejoicing.
Both the 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. services were standing room only in Franklin Avenue’s fan-shaped worship center, in side rooms set up with closed-circuit television, in the foyer and spilling out onto the sidewalk. More than 4,000 people participated in the two services, church leaders estimated.
“So many people are here I’m thankful the fire marshal didn’t show up,” Luter said as he stood at the same oak pulpit where he had preached since 1986. Virtually every statement the pastor made was echoed with the congregation’s exuberant approval, except for the serious moments in his sermon from the Old Testament’s Book of Habakkuk.
Everybody has foes, and Hurricane Katrina was a formidable foe, Luter preached.
“What can be said about the worst natural disaster in the history of our nation and how that disaster affected so many of us? … We’ve been affected … but now … now that you’re back in your own pews … our disaster has turned into dancing!”
Life is full of failure, Luter preached as his second point. Not only did federal, state and city governments fail the city, “the levees failed us; the levees failed us,” Luter said, his voice carrying a sense of betrayal.
Look at Habbakuk, Luter pointed out. He could have put his faith in figs, grapes, olives, sheep or cattle, but instead, he was unwavering in his faith in God.
“His faith didn’t depend on what he expected from God, but on God Himself,” Luter preached. “Our faith is tested when things are not going well.”
Life is full of foes; life is full of failures. But, Luter declared, life is full of God’s favor for the children of God.
“God gave us favor and here we are today,” Luter said. “It’s time to celebrate, to worship, to dance!” And Luter showed enough fancy footwork in each service to stir the congregation to new heights of celebration. He said it was the first time he had danced in the pulpit in 21 years and he hoped his deacons would forgive him.
Both services included special moments, especially those involving First Baptist Church where Franklin Avenue had met since September 2005. David Crosby, First Baptist’s pastor, and Luter shared a private word and a bear hug that left both of them wiping tears from their eyes.
“In 36 years of ministry,” Crosby said, “this [two and a half years of housing the Franklin Avenue congregation] has been the greatest thing in my ministry.”
Crosby noted: “One thing Katrina taught me is that there is only one race, the human race” -– to which the Franklin Avenue congregation expressed their enthusiastic agreement. “Maybe this happened so we could get some things straightened out.” More agreement.
U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu spoke during the 10:30 a.m. service, and several other elected officials attended either the first or second service.
“When each new family returns and with the opening of each church, our city gets stronger and stronger,” Landrieu said, to the congregation’s enthusiastic approval. “I wanted to be here today to pay tribute to this pastor and his wonderful first lady. We thank this pastor for his faith in this city.” The congregation erupted again.
Nationally known Bible study leader Beth Moore called during the second service to make an announcement: She is going to be at Franklin Avenue in October to update her “Breaking Free” videotaped Bible study. The congregation again rejoiced. Several others made presentations of what they said were “welcome home” checks to the church, echoing the words of greeters at the front doors of the church, who had repeated with the same degree of excited warmth more than 4,000 times, “Welcome home.”
The Lord’s Supper was taken during both services. Other high points: a thundering 100-voice mass choir of displaced Franklinites now living in several states, directed by Beverly Criddle and accompanied by a high-energy band; a musical special by former member Bridget Bazile of Seattle, who sings opera professionally; and a tribute to the 30 church members who have died since the last time Franklin Avenue met in its home building (none directly Katrina-related).
Elizabeth Luter’s public words of love and respect for her husband, during her usual time of welcoming people to the service, brought tears to his eyes and even, in the second service, a pulpit kiss. The congregation roared its approval.
“I fell in love with a young man; that was 34 years ago,” she said. “I never would have imagined such a great ride on the train of life … or that we would clear the debris on the road so that others could see Jesus.
“We are now, more than ever before, a people with purpose,” Elizabeth Luter told the congregation, speaking from Isaiah 62:10. “Franklin Avenue will be known as a desirable place…. We need everyone to prepare the way, and to [raise] the flag for the nations to see.”
Alexander Berkley was one of about 30 people who joined the church April 6. He’d been regularly attending the services at First Baptist Church with his wife Brenda, he said, but waited to join until the congregation was back home.
“Coming back is always a special moment,” he said. “Coming back home is a special moment.”
Franklin Avenue has had a lot of special days, but this one might be the best ever, said Norbert Zonon, a member since 1987.
“It’s the first time all of us have gotten back together since the storm,” he said. “We’re seeing family members we haven’t seen, and it’s always good to be back with family, when you’ve got a good family.”
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Karen L. Willoughby is managing editor of the Baptist Message, newsjournal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.
