How it all started...
Although Jena area churches had ministered together for many years, specifically relating to ministering to people traveling through who needed help, it wasn’t until the Jena Six event in 2007 that the alliance was really born.
That year Jena was thrust into the international spotlight and a core group of pastors joined together to organized prayer meetings. The unity really emerged and the alliance unofficially born when new pastor of L&A Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Jimmy Ray Young led the black community to join with the white pastors in the prayer meetings and unity services. The result was several weeks of revival meetings in 2008 and for a number of years, the alliance thrived.
However, by 2014, most participation had dwindled and Sanctuary Family Worship Center's new pastor, Rev. Heath Harris, had just recently moved to Jena and was seeking to be involved in a community-wide ministry. He promptly joined the few remaining pastors of the alliance and was part of a rebuilding effort which included reaching other churches to join the movement. “In 2015, we sponsored a large health fair at the Ward 10 park and from 2016-2023, we funded a team of professionals for anti-bullying and suicide awareness assemblies for any school as needed,” Harris said. “Those were immediate successes and desperately needed. Hundreds of students responded each year at these assemblies.” Also in 2016, the alliance launched the first parish-wide, multi-church recovery ministry in partnership with the LaSalle Parish School Board and community officials called Celebrate Recovery. This ministry continues to operate weekly, reaching hundreds.
Over the years, the Alliance has been responsible for many of the community outreach programs that many have seen, such as Backpack Giveaways with school supplies for needy children, free haircuts, clothes and more, along with the popular Angel Tree Christmas Drive held each December. Each year they average giving away $30,000 in gifts given by churches, businesses and individuals.
“Following the pandemic, and with the passing of one of our founders, Pastor Jimmy Ray Young, we understood the need to be more organized as a nonprofit,” Harris continued. “In an effort to secure our future for generations, we created bylaws, formed an official board with an election process, formulated a clear benevolence ministry strategy, and more.” The first board consisted of Rev. Heath Harris as president, Rev. Chauncey Hardy as Vice President, Rev. Jeff Morea as Secretary, and Lori Andrews, the Treasurer and C.R. director. Also in 2020, the alliance began officially sponsoring the National Day of Prayer downtown. Under this new leadership, benevolence outreach increased, Common Ground (community worship service) continued, school assemblies returned, Celebrate Recovery and Angel Tree continued to grow, and they began partnering in new ways.
“In 2023, dozens served at Good Pine Middle School for the first school clean-up day, posting positive decals in every bathroom and investing into the property. In 2024, our Celebrate Recovery Team launched the first “Walk for Recovery” downtown with great success,” Harris said. “Finally, in 2025 a new team of young leaders with our support, launched the Ignite Youth Rally at JHS with hundreds of students attending. In 2026, after 10 years of service, Rev. Heath Harris stepped down from the Alliance Board to serve as an advisor and Rev. Chauncey Hardy was elected as Alliance President.
Each week, the Alliance continues to help the homeless find housing, pay utilities for qualifying families in crisis, and assist the unemployed with finding resources.”
That year Jena was thrust into the international spotlight and a core group of pastors joined together to organized prayer meetings. The unity really emerged and the alliance unofficially born when new pastor of L&A Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Jimmy Ray Young led the black community to join with the white pastors in the prayer meetings and unity services. The result was several weeks of revival meetings in 2008 and for a number of years, the alliance thrived.
However, by 2014, most participation had dwindled and Sanctuary Family Worship Center's new pastor, Rev. Heath Harris, had just recently moved to Jena and was seeking to be involved in a community-wide ministry. He promptly joined the few remaining pastors of the alliance and was part of a rebuilding effort which included reaching other churches to join the movement. “In 2015, we sponsored a large health fair at the Ward 10 park and from 2016-2023, we funded a team of professionals for anti-bullying and suicide awareness assemblies for any school as needed,” Harris said. “Those were immediate successes and desperately needed. Hundreds of students responded each year at these assemblies.” Also in 2016, the alliance launched the first parish-wide, multi-church recovery ministry in partnership with the LaSalle Parish School Board and community officials called Celebrate Recovery. This ministry continues to operate weekly, reaching hundreds.
Over the years, the Alliance has been responsible for many of the community outreach programs that many have seen, such as Backpack Giveaways with school supplies for needy children, free haircuts, clothes and more, along with the popular Angel Tree Christmas Drive held each December. Each year they average giving away $30,000 in gifts given by churches, businesses and individuals.
“Following the pandemic, and with the passing of one of our founders, Pastor Jimmy Ray Young, we understood the need to be more organized as a nonprofit,” Harris continued. “In an effort to secure our future for generations, we created bylaws, formed an official board with an election process, formulated a clear benevolence ministry strategy, and more.” The first board consisted of Rev. Heath Harris as president, Rev. Chauncey Hardy as Vice President, Rev. Jeff Morea as Secretary, and Lori Andrews, the Treasurer and C.R. director. Also in 2020, the alliance began officially sponsoring the National Day of Prayer downtown. Under this new leadership, benevolence outreach increased, Common Ground (community worship service) continued, school assemblies returned, Celebrate Recovery and Angel Tree continued to grow, and they began partnering in new ways.
“In 2023, dozens served at Good Pine Middle School for the first school clean-up day, posting positive decals in every bathroom and investing into the property. In 2024, our Celebrate Recovery Team launched the first “Walk for Recovery” downtown with great success,” Harris said. “Finally, in 2025 a new team of young leaders with our support, launched the Ignite Youth Rally at JHS with hundreds of students attending. In 2026, after 10 years of service, Rev. Heath Harris stepped down from the Alliance Board to serve as an advisor and Rev. Chauncey Hardy was elected as Alliance President.
Each week, the Alliance continues to help the homeless find housing, pay utilities for qualifying families in crisis, and assist the unemployed with finding resources.”
Expanding the vision...
Today, the Alliance Board is taking us into the future with by adding Upward Soccer under our umbrella, expanding our online access, and increasing relationships among churches. We are looking forward to all that God is going to continue to do in the future. We pray more local churches and Christians join in the united mission to seek and save the lost. The LaSalle Ministerial Alliance is open to all churches and members for their regular meetings of prayer, fellowship and planning.
For more information about the alliance contact us below or visit us on Facebook.
For more information about the alliance contact us below or visit us on Facebook.