ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / December 20, 2000

LAPLACE – The Twin Oaks Nursing Home has a lot of things to take care of its senior citizen population. There are nurses and doctors to take care oftheir medical needs, and orderlies to help them move around the facility.

They are fed, housed and entertained.

But who takes care of their souls and spiritual needs? That’s where four local ministers come in.

About two years ago the Revs. Vernon Alexander of the Greater New St.Peter Baptist Church, George Williams of the Greater New Rescue Mission Baptist Church, Willie Smith of the Providence Baptist Church Number One and Kevin Fredericks Sr. of the Israelite Baptist Church in Lutcher decidedthe senior citizens who were in nursing homes needed the church to come to them.

“We sing and share the Word with them,” said Williams. “We feel we arebringing comfort and joy to the elderly.”The four ministers, along with guitarist and music minister for the True Light Baptist Church, Robert Craighead Sr., show up at Twin Oaks at 10 a.m. everyMonday and Tuesday to lead their flock in prayer, song and the Word of God.

Gathered in the main hall of the Twin Oaks home, the ministers use a music stand as a pulpit, and Craighead plugs in his guitar while the elderly residents gather around the large Christmas tree waiting for the service to begin.

Craighead strums a chord, and like the Magi the ministers stroll up to the pulpit and lead the senior citizens in a rousing rendition of “Going to Stay on the Battlefield.”Sitting in the audience is the Twin Oaks Activities Director Teresa Brooks, who is clapping and singing along with everyone else.

“They really uplift our residents, ” said Brooks.

Some of the residents are too frail to sing and clap, but the smiles and nodding of heads in time to the music show that the audience is really into the song.

“They are always responsive,” said Fredericks. “Their willingness toparticipate is a great inspiration for us.”Rev. Williams comes to the pulpit and begins a sermon on the meaning ofChristmas. Revs. Fredericks, Smith and Alexander stand behind him,punctuating Williams’ sermon with an occasional “Amen!” and “Yes sir!” “Twin Oaks is your temple,” thundered Williams to his elderly audience. “Thisis the house that God has given you.”Several folks in the audience raise their hands and yell, “Amen!” Brooks points out a white-haired woman dressed in a blue robe. According toBrooks, the lady was so moved by the services that she went and had herself baptized.

Then Alexander gives a small sermon on Jesus Christ, several more songs are performed and the service is over.

“They do a great service for us,” said Brooks. “I just wish there were morechurches that would come and do this.”

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