The Louisiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Conference meets each June in the Gold Dome at Centenary College in Shreveport. During this year’s coveted Wesley Awards night, Rev. Don Cottrill, Provost of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services.

Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services provides care for children and families in a variety of settings including three children’s homes in Ruston, Mandeville and Sulphur, and community-based ministries located throughout Louisiana. This Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the good work of the agency’s 560 current staff as well as the good work of all those who have preceded during the organization’s 113 year history.

Rick Wheat, President and CEO of the organization, said, “I felt my heart was going to burst from my chest as Rev. Don Cottrill, Provost of the Annual Conference, talked about our long, effective ministry to Louisiana’s families and children. After he concluded his comments by sharing that last year we cared for 267 children in our three children’s homes and we touched the lives of 20,000 people with our community-based services, I was proud for our staff to receive a long, loud ovation from the audience of United Methodist pastors and laity.”

Wheat continued, “I am very grateful to our Conference for recognizing the incredible work our employees do. I’m even MORE grateful to all of our employees for passionately continuing a very long tradition of remarkable ministry to children and families!”