Gifted Ground and Growing Faith
J.T. Strong and his wife, Kasey, launched Faith Point Church in Delhi, Louisiana, after being missionaries with AG World Missions to Africa. Before the birth of their second child, the couple was called back to their hometown of Delhi, a small agricultural town of 2,600 in the Mississippi river delta in northeast Louisiana. The church was launched on July 12, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the Strongs were praying for a church location in 2019, Lev Dawson, a successful entrepreneur from Silicon Valley in California, approached J.T. at a local grocery store and they talked about the couple's work in Kenya to assist orphans, Dawson himself grew up in a Catholic monastery as an orphan.
After learning of the Strongs' plan to plant a church, Dawson told Strong that he had a building that he wanted to gift to the ministry, which would become the future home of Faith Point Church. Dawson, who had some health issues and was in his 80s, signed the property's deed to the ministry and he died a few days later.
Faith Point’s property includes six lakefront acres, and two large commercial warehouses--one is 26,000 square feet and the second is 12,000 square feet. Faith Point is currently converting the 12,000-square-foot warehouse into the church’s future building. The property, which was valued at $1.2 million, is the only lakefront commercial building on Poverty Point Reservoir – a lighthouse of hope to the community.
"Close to 10% of the town population currently attends Faith Point—around 230 people in a town of 2,600—the church is currently constructing our church with cash in a rural community of 2,600, where the median income is around $30,000," Strong, 38, explains. "Thanks to God’s faithful provision, the ministry is currently debt free."
Louisiana Network Ministry Superintendent Scott Holmes, who has known Strong for 10 years, adds: "It's an amazing church-planting story during COVID-19, when planting churches was most difficult. The lakefront property is some of the most expensive real estate in the entire parish. This gift is one of many stories J.T. can tell about God’s faithfulness to obedience. They are reaching an entire parish and area, not just the city of Delhi."
Holmes points out that Strong grew up in the area and comes from a family that has been rooted in the community for years.
"He is bold in his faith and has lived a godly life before the community since coming to Christ” he says. "People know and respect him. He is an amazing man of faith."
Strong notes that Faith Point's motto is “His presence is our priority.”
"When God’s presence is placed first, lives are transformed, families are restored and the church becomes what it was always meant to be—a place of grace, truth and hope," says Strong, who served as an AG missionary and church planter in Kenya from 2012 to 2020. He also leads Strong Point Ministries, a ministry focused in Kenya. The Strongs still go back to Kenya each year.
"We have been able to reach many young families and children in Delhi with the gospel over the last few years," Strong adds. "Our children’s ministry, led by Kasey, has had a huge impact and has led countless children to accept Christ. We have also partnered with our community in events that they have had. We have a close relationship with our mayor, sheriff and chief of police. We try to be a blessing to our community."
Katie Carruth and her family have faithfully attended at Faith Point Church since opening its doors in 2020.
"When we walked through the doors, I was burned out and so tired of searching for a church home," she recalls. "I didn't even want to be there. But when the Holy Spirit fell on that place (of maybe 25 people), I knew I had found home. Within weeks, I was serving in Kidz Point--the church's amazing kids ministry--teaching and learning right along with the kids.
"Over the past five years, I have grown personally in my walk with Jesus so much," Carruth, 35, adds. "The solid teaching and support from our pastors has truly changed my life. I went from barely reading a Bible, to prayer and fasting being a normal part of my life.
She notes that she has seen chains of bitterness and anger broken off of her life completely.
“I've seen my husband and daughter come to know and love Jesus in a way that warms my heart, body and soul," she says. "Seeing them baptized by Pastor J.T. and Kasey will always remain one of the greatest gifts of my life. I am thankful daily for the impact Faith Point has on our community and how well Faith Point serves its families."