Faith, Family and a Place to Belong: Why St. Luke’s Became Home for One Lifelong Baton Rouge Resident
Jim Sells has lived in Baton Rouge his entire life, most of it in the Broadmoor subdivision. His journey of faith began as a child, but it was St.Luke’s Episcopal Church that gave him a lasting sense of peace, friendship and spiritual growth.
“My mom brought me and my brother to the Billy Graham Crusade when they came to LSU Tiger Stadium in October of 1970,” Sells recalled. “We went down on the field after the ceremony while they were singing the hymn ‘Just As I Am,’ and I gave my life to Jesus Christ.”
Sells grew up in the Baptist church, but everything began to change around 1986, when his sister and her husband invited him to visit St. Luke’s.
“They coerced me to come,” he said. But what started as a visit would soon become something much deeper.
In April 1989, just before his father passed away, his father was baptized at St. Luke’s by Fr. John Senette.
“Fr. John Senette did my dad’s last rites before his death and was there with the family praying,” Sells said. “He also presided over my dad’s funeral. I am forever grateful to him and the church for that.”
Around that same time, Sells’ brother was also baptized at St. Luke’s. Soon after, Sells began attending the church full time.
“I believe that same year I was confirmed into the Episcopal Church by Bishop James Brown,” he said.
The decision to make St. Luke’s his church home had a lasting impact on every part of his life.
“Socially, I have gained many friends, and emotionally and spiritually, I have gained some sort of stability and peace and wisdom,” Sells said.
He felt called to lead a Friday morning Bible study for a time, and said it became a period of deep spiritual growth.
“I believe I learned and grew tremendously in my spiritual life during that time period,” he said.
He also briefly joined the family choir, a joyful memory he still carries.
“It is such a joy to me to sing the hymns,” he said. “At least make an effort at it, anyway.”
Reflecting on his journey, Sells doesn’t just see a church. He sees a community that stood by him and his family during both joyful and difficult seasons.