A group of concerned pastors spearheaded the First Annual River Parish Youth Rally to support a drug-free zone on Paul Frederick Street, in Luling. Rev. James Gordon, Jr., his wife Prophetess Michelle Gordon, of Mending Broken Hearts Ministries, and Rev. James Williams, III, Rev. Bruce Jackson, Sr. along with his wife Evangelist Nicole Jackson, of First Baptist Church in Paradis have made a pledge to change the reputation of this troubled neighborhood and restore hope to those who live there.
“It’s time to give the people on Paul Frederick a brighter outlook for the future instead of convincing them that it is impossible to change their surroundings,” Rev. James Gordon, told the Herald-Guide.
Gordon, a former drug dealer, knows what it means to live a life of crime and believes his past experience will assist him in mending the broken lives of young men and women living in this neighborhood.
“My wife Michelle and I started our church out of our garage in our home two streets away from Paul Frederick in Luling Estates because we realized how many hurting people there were in this community,” Gordon continued.
“Our church is within walking distance from where the people in this subdivision live so they don’t have to worry about not having transportation if the want to come to church,” he continued.
“We try to teach the people the message of faith hope and God’s love, especially during these troubled times when so many things are going wrong,”
Gordon’s wife Michelle agreed.
“I council young women who are so disturbed about what’s going on this community they want to commit suicide,” she said.
“No one should feel their life is not of value and so many of the children on Paul Frederick and the adults are hurting and just need people to show them love,” she said.
Rev. Bruce Jackson,an associate pastor with First Baptist Church in Paradis. lost his eyesight last year and plans to give back by supporting the community while he waits on a miracle from God to restore his vision.
“I used to be involved with a lot of women and I had very little respect for them,” Jackson said.
“I think I bring the message to kids living in this neighborhood to treat people like you would want them to treat you,” he continued.
Rev. James Williams partnered with this group to help them reach out to as many people they can.
“I believe this community can be changed,” Williams said.
“I look around and see a lot of frustrated people living here and we have to use our lives to help them in the community,” he continued.
Once news of the rally spread throughout the area, even business owners wanted to do theirpart.
“I came here today, to give the message of God’s love to the children, because God doesn’t care about the color of our skin, we all have to show one another love,” Belen Conouer, owner of Belen Friendly Nails, told the Herald-Guide.
“These children and families need all of our prayers,” she said.
Rev. James Jackson and his wife wrote every church in St. Charles Parish for help but got no support to do the rally.
“We contacted every church in the parish and let them know what we were doing on Paul Frederick,” Prophetess Michelle.
“But when we couldn’t get any local help we other pastor’s pitched in,” she said.
Victory Fellowship offered any support they could to help out the ministers.
“The Lord brought me together with Pastor James and Michelle by divine appointment,” Pastor George Woodard, of Victory Fellowship in Metairie told the Herald-Guide.
“It was awesome and I thank God for all they are doing to change their community,” he said.
Children who attended the drug rally received free toys; basketballs, jump ropes, games, puzzles, face painting, and three lucky kids got brand new bikes.
“We didn’t have any donations to help pay for the rally,” Prophetess Michelle said.
“All of the money came from us,” she continued.
The ministers plan to do another rally in September.
“We will be hosting a second rally in September in Luling, on Paul Frederick, in conjunction with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office,” Prophetess Michelle Said.
W.O.W is a non profit Christian organization that gives away ipods, televisions, computers, to encourage the kids in troubled communities all across the United States to stay off drugs.
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