As its moniker implies, Outreach Full Gospel Baptist Church attempts to meet the needs of its community.

Outreach Full Gospel Baptist Church distributes food to the needy once per month. The church distributes food to approximately 200 families each month.
Along with filling the physical needs of the community, pastor Antoine Graves said he figures it is his duty to fill the spiritual needs of the area as well. He has pastored the church for the past five years.

“At Outreach Full Gospel Baptist Church, we reach out to the needy. There is always going to be needy among us,” Graves said. “Our No. 1 message is to minister to the hurting. In Washington Parish, there are a lot of people hurting. People have terminal illnesses, addictions, battered and abused women and homosexuality. The need is great. I believe God has called me to minister to the hurting. I believe these troubles stem from the home. I believe if the home is out of order, the community is going to be out of order.”

Rev. Graves said parents are not parenting their children.

“I notice a lot of children hang out late and have no curfew. There is no discipline in the home,” Rev. Graves said. “Teenage pregnancy and drugs are rampant in the community. I believe that with God, nothing shall be impossible. As I labor with the people in the community, I do see change and transformation.”

Rev. Graves said change comes when the public sees a person’s heart.

“Change is not overnight. The community has to see people who are sincere with integrity and character. You can’t have just one major impact with people and not be seen anymore,” Rev. Graves said. “You have to follow up with people.”

The Rev. Graves was a member of Sweet Rest M.B. Church for two years before he switched over to Outreach Full Gospel Baptist Church. He was an elder with the church before he became pastor.

The Rev. Graves has been married for 17 years to Toni Graves. She is employed at Franklinton High School as an office manager.

He is employed in logistics at Tulane University’s Primate Research Center in Covington.

Meeting the demands of the needy in Washington Parish has steadily grown more difficult, according to Rev. Graves.

“It’s a big demand,” he said. “Over the years the needs of the needy have increased. I’m finding out other food banks are coming out to meet the community’s needs as well. My motto is ‘No One Hungry in Washington Parish.’”

Outreach Full Gospel Baptist Church is located at 334 13th Ave. in Franklinton. Sunday School begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by morning worship. Prayer meeting is 6:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays; followed by Bible study from 7 to 8 p.m. Rev. Graves said the church boasts approximately 300 active members.

“We’re pretty much a multi-cultural church on fire for the Lord,” Rev. Graves said. “We’re a beacon of light.”