By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
COVINGTON – How many stories have been told about one prayer seemingly changing a life forever?
That is the hope of those involved in Courtside Ministries, a Christ-centered outreach that begins in St. Tammany Parish today, in front of the steps to the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center.
Courtside Ministries was started in 2009 and has now grown to over 100 locations in 19 states. It’s a very simple way to offer prayer to those who have a date at the 22nd Judicial District courthouse, offering prayer from a small table set up on the public grounds of the courthouse in Covington.
Those heading into court that day will see the dark blue colored tablecloth with the giant words, “NEED PRAYER?” on the front. Those who might be facing a scary situation as they go to court can walk over to the people working the ministry that day and receive prayer, counseling, or some of the many handouts that are all for free—including New Testament Bibles that are in English or Spanish.
District Attorney Warren Montgomery, a devout Catholic, apparently heard about the ministry and wanted the Slidell Ministerial Alliance (SMA) to know about it. Courtside Ministries National Director Eric Nelson appeared at the SMA meeting last June and laid out the way the program works.
Randy Boyett, pastor at Slidell’s Thompson Road Baptist Church, was at that introductory meeting and said he felt the Lord urging him to head the program.
“The concept is as simple as can be. We are there to pray with people in need, and if you consider the people going to court on any given day, there are probably nine out of 10 who are facing something that is not really very good,” he said. “Many of those people will never come to a church, so we are bringing the opportunity for prayer and church to them.”
Boyett had an e-mail blast sent out to SMA members to see if anyone was interested to join the Courtside team, which begins this week at the courthouse holding a four-hour session each Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon, the time when most people going to court that day will arrive.
He has approximately 15 others already signed up to work the table, with the plan to have four or five people there each week.
“We don’t plan to solicit people for prayer,” he said. “We will have the table there and the sign is very big and obvious, so if you want to talk, or have prayer with us, you come by.”
Boyett said he met with 22nd Judicial Court Judge Reggie Badeaux to review any legal aspects to what they are doing and was assured there is no reason the group can’t set up there.
“Judge Badeaux was incredible in the way he helped us and supported the idea,” said Boyett. “He took his own time and researched everything about it, and gave us the assurance that we have every right to be there.”
Boyett said the ministry goes further than simply pray on the day of court. They will offer followups, and recommend churches for people, if they want.
“We will ask if they are interested in a church to go to, and if so, we will find what kind of denomination or church they like, and will have information on the church to give them,” he said. “Additionally, if they are willing to give us their name and cell number we will offer to call and follow up on things a week later. Again, none of it will happen if the person does not want it.”
Boyett is hopeful to expand the ministry to more days, depending on how many other people are willing to work one of the four-hour shifts.
“I think a lot of people will find it motivating once they do it the first time,” he said. “It should be very rewarding to see how we can help people.
“I especially like it since we are taking the church out of the four walls and into the public arena,” he added. “We’re very excited about this. A lot of people need God’s help and this is a way we show them God cares for them.”
All the materials for the ministry must be purchased, but Boyett said it was amazing the way God provided for that.
“I had someone come up to me not long ago and wanted to donate some money for a good cause,” he said. “That’s right about the time we were starting this, so I suggested them funding all our Bibles and other materials, and they were very happy to do that.”
Boyett also approached Slidell City Court Judge Bryan Haggerty about allowing the ministry there, but Haggerty said he didn’t see a way to make it work at the small city court property.
“I think this is a great program and I am very hopeful of doing it at a future date if we can figure out how to fit it in here,” he said. “We have very limited space in front of our building, plus we have such a large juvenile docket, not more serious felony cases. The district court is probably a better place for it because there are many people facing serious felonies and long prison terms. Here, we don’t have those cases.”
Haggerty added, “this is really a positive thing to do and I will remain open to finding a way to do it in the future, if we can work that out.”
If you are interested to become a volunteer, call the church at 985-690-6077 for more information.