Emmanuel Baptist hosts A Way to the Cross

The Emmanuel Baptist Church in Donaldsonville, led by Pastor Charles R. Brown Sr. held a praise and worship ceremony featuring a 12-person choir at Crescent Park.

Brown, who also serves on the Donaldsonville City Council, invited The Chief to the outdoors mass, held here and there at Crescent Park when the weather is right. Mayor Leroy Sullivan also attended, and he addressed the community.

"This is your park," Mayor Sullivan told the congregation. "We built it to accommodate the community. There is no charge for church out here. Salvation is free. We're going to get to a point where this park is full."

Darryl Rayborn is a part-time drummer for the choir at Emmanuel Baptist, who aspires to become a minister. He and his wife, Michelle, participate in the church's children's ministry.

"Charles is an awesome minister," Rayborn said. "His mission is to ignite these kids and to enlighten them."

Rev. Brown shared the message of Christ as the "man in the middle" of the three men who were crucified on Good Friday. He spoke of bringing your problems and placing them before God. The church provided jambalaya and chicken to the community, free of charge.