Our Beliefs
BIBLE
The Old and New Testaments are the inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God. In the Bible, we find the revelation of God's will for the salvation of men and the living and final authority for the Christian life.
HOLY SPIRIT
The present, supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. During this age He indwells, guides, instructs and empowers the believer for Godly living and service. Every believer should be filled with the Holy Spirit (tongues being one of the initial signs).
PRAYER
Every born again, Spirit-filled believer should maintain a consistent prayer life, both in praying with understanding and praying with the Spirit.
FAITH
Without faith it is impossible to please God. The atonement not only provides salvation for the believer, but healing and prosperity as well. We are redeemed from the curse of the Law (poverty, sickness and death). Our lives can be prosperous and healthy if we walk in the light of this redemption with faith in God's Word.
GOD
There is one God, the creator of all things, who is infinitely perfect and eternally in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is true God and true man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and Born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life and died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of all men. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into Heaven and is now at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
MAN
Man was created in the image of God, but fell into Sin and is therefore lost. Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. The shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only grounds for justifications and salvation.
WATER BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. However, they are not to be regarded as means of salvation.
CHURCH
The true Church is composed of all those who are born-again. Through this new birth we are united together in the Body of Christ to decide and govern its own affairs.
SECOND COMING
There is a literal and personal return of Jesus Christ to the Earth. Ultimately, He will establish an eternal kingdom of peace where we shall reign with Him forever.
RESURRECTION
There will be a bodily resurrection of the dead, a translation of the living, of the believers to everlasting joy with the Lord and of the unbelievers to everlasting conscious punishment.
Dimensions of Church Life
We believe churches that embrace Faith in Jesus as the only God incarnated should be pursuing an experience of church life that is marked by the following dimensions:
Worship
Enjoying and displaying the worth of Christ in God-centered, Christ-exalting, Spirit-lead, Bible-saturated corporate worship, including singing and expository exultation.
Prayer
Commitment to depend on God's grace and mercy in personal, family and corporate prayer. This includes all manner of prayer with supplication and thanksgiving, making our request made known unto God.
Education
Personal efforts to grow and help each other grow in Biblical truth, wisdom, faith and love and to cultivate knowledge sufficient for moral living.
Mutual Care
Corporate commitment to pursue and provide sacrificial faith-sustaining care for fellow humans at every level of life.
Witness
Personal and corporate strategies of living, courageous witness and social action to show the value of Christ to fallen people and fallen culture.
Racial Harmony
Intentional efforts to display love across racial and cultural lines and be a church that models the fruit of that love.
Compassion
Personal and corporate expressions of compassion to relieve human suffering, near and far, by means of short and long term intervention that shows the justice, mercy and beauty of Christ.
Legacy
The commitment of church and parents to train up succeeding generations of children to live according to Biblical truth.
Our
History
The spiritual cornerstone of this institution was laid when a group of sixty Christian men gathered together to sing praises and worship the Almighty God under a stand of palmetto trees. In 1876, they were led by the Holy Spirit to organize under the name Sixty-Aid and were shepherded under the guidance of Reverend Dick Harris. As time progressed several other ministers served at Sixty-Aid.
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The first formal gathering place was a 30-foot wooden structure located on Old Perkins Road. A bell tower was situated on four wooden posts in front of the building. In the back was the outhouse (or Johnny house). This building was illuminated with use of oil lanterns. Praise and worship continued.
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In 1936, under the leadership of Reverend W.M. Pitcher, this humble structure was remodeled. Indoor plumbing and modern fixtures were installed. The bell tower was brought inside the sanctuary, and the oil lamps were replaced with electricity. Spirit filled praise and worship continued.
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In 1952, GSABC was blessed with a new sanctuary located at 4510 Rabey Street, Baton Rouge, LA. Guided by the sure vision of Reverend W.M. Pitcher, this church was blessed with growth and the anointing to teach, lead and guide believers to Jesus Christ. The mantle of leadership was passed on to Reverend Reginald L. Pitcher in 1985. In April of 2004, a ground-breaking ceremony was held at our current location, 655 Gardere Lane. God's Spirit still reigned.
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GSABC has continued to grow and flourish under the leadership of Pastor James R. Barrett, Sr., serving since 2012. Through his powerful anointing in teaching the Word with clarity, souls have been drawn to Christ. His unique (gifted) style of ministry has attracted many families and has enhanced their spiritual growth and development. Also, under Pastor Barrett, Sr's leadership, special emphasis has been placed on meeting the spiritual development of youth, our future leaders.