J. David Caves, New Zion Pastor, St. Helena Parish, La.
File submitted by Bonnie Bridges McMillan
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Many thanks goes to Bonnie Bridges McMillan, author of "New
Zion Baptist Church, 1869-1994" from which this file was taken.

     "History".  What makes history, historical?  The prophetic
voice of the seventeenth hundreds, Edward Gibbon, said, "History
is little more than the register of crimes, follies, and misfor-
tunes of mankind."  Surely, history is not only the bad things;
is it?

     I like to think of history as events that one looks back on,
so that one can better look forward.  One of the greatest Euro-
pean preachers of all times shared this same concept when he was
noted as saying, "Christ is the great central fact in the world's
history; to Him everything looks forward or backward."

     On September 18, 1994, the members of New Zion Baptist Church
and her cherished friends in Christ, will make "history" become
historical.  We will take time during a day of worship to "look
back so that we can better look forward."  I write this with all
confidence, because of what I have already witnessed God doing
here at New Zion in these past few months.

     Six months ago I was called to be the pastor of New Zion Baptist
Church.  Since then I have made every effort to assist the Histori-
cal Committee in every way to look greatfully and honestly to the
past.  Building on what we have discovered that God had done in 
New Zion in the past, we have already experienced a renewal in 
this ministry.  In the past six months Sunday School attendance
has risen to an average of 101, a sure sign of renewal.  This is
true in comparative to an average of 96 in 1991, 87 in 1992, and
95 from January through September of 1993.  Also, in the past six
months we have seen major hurdles overcome by the election of mem-
bers to fill many dormant committees, by the development and ac-
ceptance of the first church budget since 1990, by the completion
of the new church nursery and kitchen, the continued work on the 
interior of the church gym and by the installment of a complete
sound system.  The Lord honors a church that is willing to grow.
In the past six months you have witnessed 4 baptisms, 4 profes-
sions of faiths, 4 new members by letters and 1 new member by
statement and baptism.  I give God the glory for the great things
He has done at New Zion Baptist Church!

     Frank Nelson said, "A great man does not make his place in his-
troy.  He finds it and fills it."  I guess Nelson's statement could
hold true for any local body of believers.  As we have stopped to
look back, it is now time for New Zion Baptist Church to again
find her place of ministry in the New Zion Community and "fixing
her eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith", look forward
to the days to come.