We offer in-sanctuary, parking lot (audio only), and live streaming [Facebook & YouTube] options every week.

 

The beginning of this sacred sanctuary and its progress over time are reasons for the members to be proud, grateful, and determined to continue to do God’s will. For the past 111 years, New Ark has been and forever will be a blessed place full of blessed people who desire to be a blessing to others.

3New Ark Baptist Church was organized in September of 1909 by a small, yet faithful group of believers under the leadership of Reverend J. S. Butler. During the early 1900’s there wasn’t much money, but the members were filled with strong determination to erect a facility and be a church family that would be beneficial to the surrounding community.

 

After the passing of Rev. Butler, Reverend R. H. Hall was elected as pastor. Both physical and spiritual growth of the church persisted under his leadership. God continued to show Himself mighty in the life of New Ark. To add to the work of the church, God sent Reverend Don Smith as the third Pastor. Under his leadership, and with the continued faithfulness of the membership, additional land was purchased, the church building was extended, and funds were raised toward erecting a new edifice.

 

The next chapters of this place of worship were graced by the spiritual preaching, teaching, and leadership of Reverend Q. T. Ellis. Relatively early in his more than 60 years as pastor, the current sanctuary was built. Since that time, hundreds of people have been spiritually fed, babies blessed, couples married, converts baptized, and those whose life ended have been eulogized on this holy ground. During Rev. Ellis’s tenure the church continued to advance in kingdom building. Many new ministries were added, more property was obtained, the mortgage on the sanctuary was retired, and the vision for a multipurpose center was laid out.

 

Rev. Ellis was completely dedicated to ministry, evangelism, and community growth, but he knew he wouldn’t be here forever. He selected Reverend Melvin Carter as his assistant pastor, and God later saw fit for him to become the fifth pastor of New Ark. Rev. Carter served the church and community and oversaw a period of continued expansion.

 

The sixth pastor, Reverend David Ferguson, brought several new ministry initiatives to the church with his leadership. Although his tenure was short and New Ark experienced a season of difficulty, God’s word in Romans chapter 8 proved true, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” During this time, many members remained steadfast in their resolve to do God’s will God’s way.

 

In November 2016, seeing the need for and potential of the church to reach higher heights, the membership received its 7th pastor, Reverend Devin J. Wright. Pastor Wright powerfully proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ, teaches through biblical revelation, engages in pastoral care ministry, provides
vision and oversight for the ministry work of the church, and acts as a proficient administration in church business affairs.

 

Under his leadership so far, the Deacons were ordained during a very anointed ceremony, two ministers have been licensed, the sanctuary has undergone a complete renovation, classrooms & the fellowship hall have been updated with technology, a community partnership was created to provide help and hope for abused women and children, and several new members have been added to the body of Christ. Currently, Pastor Wright is leading the way for the church to purchase and develop over 2 acres of land.

 

The New Ark Baptist Church family has and will continue to promote spiritual and purposeful ministry initiatives inside and outside of the church walls. Our hope is that we do our part in creating a welcoming and spirit-filled atmosphere that will encourage everyone to come to Christ.

New Ark is guided by the Spirit of God, and we follow the leadership of our pastor who is a very capable administrator. We have a Deacons Ministry that assists with the spiritual and administrative needs of the church and a Trustee Board that assists with certain financial and external matters and all legalities. There are several ministries in which you can get involved, and each of those ministries has its own leaders who fall under the direction and vision of our overall leadership structure.

Devin Wright is a pastor, educator, mentor, and fierce advocate for systemic change in marginalized communities. He sees all the work that he does as aspects of the calling God has placed on his life. At the age of 13, he accepted his calling into the Gospel ministry and was officially licensed a year later. He was ordained at age 17, shortly after graduating from Baton Rouge Magnet High.

 

To further his education, Pastor Wright moved to Tallahassee, FL to attend Florida State University. He graduated in 2010 with a B.S. degree in sociology and is an extremely proud Seminole alumnus. His theological training has resulted in a Doctor of Ministry degree, conferred in 2022.

During his time in Tallahassee, Pastor Wright served five years as the Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries at the largest black Baptist church in the area and later as the senior pastor of Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church where he labored faithfully for 4 years. He also served for three years as an assistant director of the Children’s Rally for the National Baptist Convention where his greatest accomplishment was leading an evangelism effort with over 200 young people in Haiti.

 

Aside from his ministry work, Pastor Wright has been an educator, primarily in mathematics, for 12 years. Most recently, he worked as an instructional specialist, providing support, ongoing development, and growth strategies for other educators. His passion for education and changing the life-trajectories of people who are set back by demographics leads him to work with several organizations across Southeast Louisiana that are focused on creating tangible and sustainable change.

 

Pastor Wright is often heard saying, “If God called us to worship in this community, He also called us to work in this community”. His current role as New Ark’s pastor  brings with it a sense of great pride and great urgency. His focus is not only on proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and engaging in pastoral care ministry, but he is also adamant about transforming the community and breaking down the strongholds that keep people from advancing.

 

At the age of 34, Pastor Devin J. Wright has grown to understand and firmly believe in the words of the songwriter who wrote, “Only what you do for Christ will last.” Knowing this, the most important thing that anyone could know about him is that he is a child of God merely trying to live a life pleasing in His sight.