The Presbyterian Church of Ruston, Louisiana, felt like it needed a boost. The small, aging congregation was in good shape; they didn’t have any major problems, having healed from a rift years ago.
Of course, they wanted young children and families, but they weren’t dying, and they weren’t panicking.
“But we felt like we need a shot in the arm,” says Commissioned Ruling Elder Edith Hill, who has provided pastoral leadership to the congregation for eight years.