First Church of God In Christ is celebrating 48 years in the Jeanerette community, and Revs. James and Ezora Proctor are just as passionate about providing spiritual and physical resources to the community as when they first started.

The church, which was established in 1976 when Jeanerette Community Church was changed to First Church of God In Christ, has engaged in community programs such as the School Tutorial Program for students, which the Proctors said has helped to keep 98% of those enrolled on the honor roll in Jeanerette schools.

“Since we know that all students can learn, but some need more time on tasks for learning to take place, our tutorial staff did not just help with homework, but we helped students to master skills,” James Proctor said.

To enhance the program, the church also added the summer enrichment program that gave students in attendance a jump start on the next school year or brought them up to date to get the next year started. The District Attorney’s Office has partnered with the church in the past to help with student aid and parents in need of service.

The church is also the sponsor of the “Love Me Program” which works on self esteem and other traits that help to make up good character,” Ezora Proctor said. The principals and the city judge used the program for young people in need of service and assistance in school.

Other programs the church has assisted in includes the Community Food Pantry, a 25-year-project at the church’s outreach center on Pellerin and Martin Luther King Drive. The program helps victims of fires, people in need of relocation and people affected by hurricanes.

The church has participated in the annual FoodNet for Families program and has serviced as many as 200 families per month.

“Again, we do the work to make it happen, but others have helped us to make it happen,” James Proctor said. “The late Mayor Arthur Verret was very instrumental in First Church getting this opportunity to be the drop-off point for the Channel 10 FoodNet program.”

A recent program for the community is the Louisiana Youth for Excellence Program to develop leadership and self-esteem which was headed by Ezora Proctor and helped by State Rep. Marcus Bryant.

A Diabetes Prevention and Blood Pressure Control Program by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has been another recent focus, which has a focus on preventing diabetes and related health issues.

“Our goal is to touch as many people as possible in the community to assure a better community for all people,” he said.