New pastor hopes to help congregation heal after tragedy

Although the circumstances surrounding Alice Boutte’s move to Luling were tragic, she said she feels like she is exactly where God wants her in this season of life.

Boutte is the new pastor at New Life Community Church on Lakewood Drive in Luling. The congregation’s former pastor was tragically killed in an automobile accident the week before Christmas.

“Pastors are sent where their gifts can best be used,” Boutte said. “I was sent to serve this church and to help them heal.”

Boutte and her husband Michael moved to St. Charles Parish on March 1.

“In my life I have been called to serve in two different ways by God,” Boutte said. “I was a teacher and I loved it … I could have stayed being a teacher until I died, but the call to the teach the Good News has been on my heart also and that call started taking over the call to teach in the classroom. When I was leaving teaching I told my students, ‘I’m moving on to teach the best subject ever.’”

After finishing theology school, Boutte was commissioned to be a provisional elder. She is currently in residency and awaiting to be ordained.

“I’m loving it,” she said of her new role in at New Life. “New Life … they were so gracious and hospitable and so open to loving me and my family. It’s a church of love. I am enjoying being in the presence of the people of the church.”

Boutte said she has received no time frame from the United Methodist Church detailing how long she may be at New Life.

“We are put in position to serve the church and make disciples,” she said. “I’m hoping to be here for a few years … I am hoping I can be here for a good long season. I’m finding St. Charles to be a very loving, welcoming and beautiful place to be. There are so many things offered here. Every pastor has gifts and one of my gifts in connection and people and to love. I was like that as a teacher too.”

Boutte said she is excited to see New Life grow, and that the church has recently launched a youth program.

 

About Monique Roth 919 Articles
Roth has both her undergraduate and graduate degree in journalism, which she has utilized in the past as an instructor at Southeastern Louisiana University and a reporter at various newspapers and online publications. She grew up in LaPlace, where she currently resides with her husband and three daughters.

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