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LAPLACE —Pastor Alice Boutte is bringing fresh leadership to First United Methodist Church in LaPlace and New Life Community Church in Luling to help both congregations heal and grow.

Boutte was raised in the Morse, a village in Acadia Parish. She was deeply involved in the Catholic Church in her younger years, serving in several ministries. At one point, she taught third grade religion, eighth grade religion and the high school/confirmation programs on top of teaching and raising children.

Boutte has always felt the presence of God in her life and prayed for direction, but sometimes it took longer than expected for His will to become hers. Once she reached seniority in her career, Boutte felt God lay the call to ministry on her heart.

“I realized I had the call throughout my life to become a pastor, but I was in a context where I didn’t see it,” Boutte said.

Through the years, Boutte discerned that the Catholic religion wasn’t the best fit for her, and she felt herself drawn to pastoral leadership opportunities within the Methodist Church.

“When I walked in and saw a female pastor, I remember the hair on my neck stood up and my arms got this feeling of the spirit, just an overwhelming feeling from God that this is what I am called to do,” Boutte said.

She ignored the feeling and spent years running from it. It was almost like God was laughing at her as she imposed her own will, knowing sooner or later she would answer the call. Finally, she relented, and everything fell into place.

Boutte enrolled in a hybrid program through Southern Methodist University and completed her coursework in three years. She was placed in some very small churches to learn the ministry, the smallest being a church of only five members. During this time, she primarily assisted with administrative tasks at the church. The experience helped her grow in pastoral leadership, particularly through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and devastation from Hurricane Laura. Boutte moved to Northern Louisiana after graduating from the seminary and landed in a church that would soon disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church.

Boutte was eager for a new beginning when she was called to serve two churches in the River Parishes. The New Life Community Church in Luling had lost their pastor last December in an accident, while the First United Methodist Church of LaPlace had been without pastoral leadership for nearly a year.

“It was discerned that my gifts and talents would be very well served down here in these two churches. They put me here to help Luling and LaPlace heal,” Boutte said. “I’ve always loved people and seeing the diversity and the differences in people. When I see people, I tend to see the good in them. I see Jesus in them. I believe we are sinful creatures, but I also believe in the power of grace and transformation.”

While she was officially assigned to give ¾ of her time to Luling and ¼ of her time to LaPlace, Boutte believes in giving as much of herself as needed to both churches to meet the needs of the congregation and the community. She sees the churches not as what they are currently, but what they could become.

LaPlace’s facilities remain damaged from Hurricane Ida, and the congregation has dwindled since the COVID-19 pandemic began three years ago.

“It’s a small congregation, but the people I am serving there are some of the most faithful people with a strength and perseverance that is unseen in today’s world,” Boutte said. “They have remained a connected community of faith, knowing these challenges are simply a season. They seek opportunities to grow in mission and ministry.”

Boutte has been especially impressed by music leader Carl’s ability to share his faith through soulful singing every Sunday. Lay leader Melynie Wright is another key member of the church whose passion for Christ spreads like fire beyond the church’s walls.

Wright said Boutte’s leadership has opened doors for the church to have a greater impact in St. John the Baptist Parish.

“It’s absolutely amazing to have a leader that wants to be involved in the community and is all about bringing this community together,” she said. “We are so thankful to have someone step into that role and provide not only family, comfort and vision within the church, but to want to bring those same three things to the community.”

Boutte believes that a church community is needed to keep the fire for Christ a priority in life. While working to repair and grow the LaPlace church, Boutte is also searching for meaningful partnerships to extend service beyond the four walls. The First United Methodist Church of LaPlace will soon join forces with the LaPlace Lions Club to host a family movie night in the parking lot of the church at 8 p.m. Saturday, August 19. Free popcorn and snowballs will be available to families as they enjoy a movie together.

Boutte has been in close contact with Pastor Regina Hickman of the neighboring Galilean Lutheran Church of LaPlace about service ministry opportunities. She also looks forward to partnering with Lake Pontchartrain Elementary to see what the school’s current needs are. One idea that has been discussed is a hygiene cabinet stocked with donated supplies that would be made available to students.

AA meetings will also be starting up at the church on Saturdays.

“We want to address needs,” Boutte said. “The United Methodist religion is about healing, showing holistically who we are to grow in God’s grace.”

Located at 301 Bamboo Road in LaPlace, the First United Methodist Church is an open and affirming church with a mission of creating disciples of Jesus Christ. All are welcome to service Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., with Sunday School offered directly after.