A “Celebration for the Children” was held this past fall on Sunday, October 25, 2009. The local community of the Sulphur/Lake Charles area and representatives from across the Lake Charles District turned out to show their support of a new Home being built to serve youth in the Southwestern part of Louisiana. Construction is underway to build a facility which will eventually house up to 32 youth. This new Home is the realization of the ongoing mission of the Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services, Inc. to “Guide Children and Families Home to Experience God’s Love by Following the Teachings of Christ.” The new residential facility will enable the Home to minister to even more of Louisiana’s hurting youth and families.

Part of the celebration was a time during which churches and individuals announced their commitments to support the new Home. One such commitment was made by the people of DeQuincy, UMC. Rev. Jerry Crise stated that his rural church had made a commitment of $20,000 over the next 5 years but expected that it would be paid off within a couple of years. He challenged other United Methodist Church’s in the district to do the same.

On Wednesday, January 27, 2010, Rev. Crise made the trip to North Louisiana to the Ruston campus of LMCH where the home office is located, and presented a check for $20,000 to President/CEO Terrel J. DeVille. Just 3 months after making their commitment, DeQuincy UMC paid in full. Rev. Crise and Mr. DeVille would like to challenge every church in the Acadiana and Lake Charles Districts, as well as every church in the state to step up and make commitments to support the new Home being constructed in Sulphur.

With your help and commitments, the new Home in the Sulphur area will be a tremendous success.