Missions

Emmanuel stands in the stream of a Baptist heritage that began with a passion to support the work of missions. We support the work of on-field personnel (missionaries) through prayer and funding, but we also share in God’s mission through the work of church members.

Medical Missions

Approximately four times per year, Dr. Tom Robinson and a team of volunteers travel to various locations in Mexico to perform eye examinations and surgeries. Over the course of a weekend, Dr. Robinson and his team will often perform more than 100 surgeries, including those for cataracts, glaucoma and cornea transplants.
Dr. Charles Norwood travels primarily with a mission team in various Asian countries. He has worked in China, Indonesia, and Thailand offering medical healing and spiritual care.

Lake Providence

As part of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s rural poverty initiative, Emmanuel works to provide resources and build meaningful relationships in the Lake Providence region in the northeastern part of the state. Once a year we provide backpacks and school supplies for children in the community. Kate Murphy, a local artist and member of Emmanuel, designed and coordinated the painting of a mural in Lake Providence. Students from the local schools contributed ideas and images reflecting what their community means to them.

Partners in Missions

Emmanuel partners closely with agencies in our own community to provide volunteers, financial support, and prayer. We work in coordination with The Shepherd Center (a program for helping people in crisis), Hope House (shelter of homeless women and children), Turning Point (shelter for battered women), Rapides Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross and the Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition.

Benevolence Ministry

In addition to our work with partnering community agencies, Emmanuel also helps to find resources for those in need. As a neighbor to the downtown Salvation Army, we help arrange transportation and make connections for those seeking food and lodging, employment, educational opportunities and medical attention.

Intercessory Prayer

Wednesday Intercessory Prayer Team
Each Wednesday, members of the prayer team volunteer an hour to pray for needs and concerns as requested by church members and neighbors. The prayer team also sends letters of encouragement to remind the person or family in need that they are being prayed for.

Internet Prayer Chain

When crises occur, the Internet Prayer team quickly sends a prayer request to the volunteer recipients. Upon receiving the request, the volunteers pray for the request. This immediate call to prayer allows us to respond to crises and concern.  If you would like to subscribe to the prayer chain, please click here.

Wednesday Prayer Service

Each Wednesday worship involves a time to pray for the needs and joys as expressed by the members. A focused prayer time lifts our concerns and hope to our loving God.

Homebound Ministry

Homebound adults remain connected to the Emmanuel family in spite of limited mobility. A team of volunteers visit the homes each month for a time of sharing and dialogue. Sunday School literature and devotional material are delivered. Twice a year special gift baskets are taken to the Homebound members. Our deacons make two other trips during the year to the homes or nursing homes to provide the Lord’s Supper.

Deacons

Deacons act as models of servant leadership at Emmanuel. Our deacons are not expected to function as an administrative body, but instead, provide a living witness of the work we are called to as a church. Deacons at Emmanuel help serve meals, care for families, visit the sick and prayerfully offer spiritual insight and presence for all we do.

Each active deacon is assigned a position on one of four deacon ministry teams – family ministry team, hospital visitation team, tool box ministry team and new member team.