A Faith Family on Cockerham Road
Northside Baptist Church sits on twelve acres at 200 Cockerham Road in Denham Springs, Louisiana, where it has ministered to the northern side of the city since the late 1950s. The church describes itself as a "thriving, growing family of faith, firmly rooted in Scripture" - a place that is "small enough that we know each other and consider ourselves to be 'family'," yet large enough to offer multiple opportunities to worship, grow spiritually, and serve. Pastor Lynn Rodrigue and the congregation welcome anyone wishing to worship God, experience genuine Christian relationships, or participate in ministry to find a warm welcome, regardless of age or previous religious background.
How Northside Began
The story of Northside Baptist Church begins with a mission committee from First Baptist Church in Denham Springs. In June of 1955, members Troy Morgan, J.P. Rice Sr., Gordon Summers, Henry Hurst Jr., E.J. Pearce, Lionel Musselman, and Ernest Forbes agreed to recommend that their church purchase a twelve-acre plot at Cockerham Road and Robbie Street for $15,000. Co-owners Dr. J.A. Thom and Mr. Julius Smith donated $7,000 back, bringing the price to $8,000, and workers cleared a portion of the land for a building site.
The Hebron Baptist Church offered their old wood frame building along with pews, heaters, and chairs for $1,500. In May 1956 the First Baptist mission committee bought it and moved it to the cleared land. Volunteers painted and repaired the structure, and donations of two pianos, pulpit chairs, and hymnals made it ready for services. A revival ran the week of August 19 through August 25, 1956, with Dr. D. Lewis White, pastor of First Baptist Church, preaching and Bill Santo leading music. The mission, called Northside Baptist Chapel, was constituted into a church on September 30, 1956 at 2:30 pm with 102 charter members.
Growth came quickly. On October 10, 1956, work began on an additional building of two nursery rooms, six classrooms, and two assembly rooms, costing $2,007.32. The first Sunday School was held in the new building on November 25, 1956. Rev. E.W. Brumback was called as the first pastor and began his ministry on December 2, 1956. Vacation Bible School launched July 29, 1957 with 139 enrolled, and on September 11, 1957 the church approved plans for a new sanctuary and educational building. The first service in the present sanctuary was held on May 10, 1958.
Sunday Mornings at Northside
Sunday School meets at 9:15 am with age-appropriate classes for every age group. Members and guests are invited to learn through interactive discussion and teaching with careful interpretation of Scripture.
Morning Worship begins at 10:30 am. The service opens in prayer, followed by a time to greet one another. The choir leads in a blended blend of gospel hymns and contemporary praise and worship songs. After the offering and a choir special, the pastor preaches for about thirty minutes, focused on the Word of God. Most Sundays conclude with an altar call and invitation, prayer, and a time of fellowship.
A fully staffed nursery is provided during each Sunday morning worship service for infants, and a separate Children's Church is offered for elementary-aged children.
Dress is casual - the church notes that "most dress casually but there is not a dress code at Northside."
Midweek Rhythm: Wednesdays at Northside
The church's midweek rhythm begins at 5:00 pm with choir rehearsal in the music suite. Handbells are part of the music ministry as well, and the congregation welcomes new singers and ringers - no previous experience is required.
At 6:00 pm, two gatherings run side by side. Kid's Club/TLC (Teens Living for Christ) is for children ages 6 to 12 and teens ages 13 and up, and includes a Bible-based life lesson with a thematic game, a time of prayer, and table fellowship with a snack and drink. Bible Study/Prayer meets at the same hour, with a topical study that addresses how Scripture speaks to current events and includes open discussion.
Children, Teens, Adults, and Seniors
Beyond Sunday School and the midweek Kid's Club/TLC, Northside offers a range of ministries for every stage of life. The Music Ministry aims to glorify God and proclaim the Gospel through word and song, with an adult choir and a handbell ensemble.
Merry @ Heart is the senior adult ministry, meeting monthly for food, fellowship, and friendship. God's New Beginners is a gathering for ladies starting a new chapter - widows, divorcees, and single women - who meet in the fellowship hall to eat, play games, share devotions, pray, and offer one another encouragement and hugs. Ladies Bible Studies are offered in the fall for women who want to grow in their knowledge of the Bible, God, and Jesus.
The Sonshine Ministry reaches out monthly to members who are homebound or in a care facility, with visitors often remarking that the blessing received is as rewarding for them as for those being visited.
Missions Close to Home and Around the World
Northside partners with the broader Southern Baptist Convention in missions support. Three times a year the church takes up offerings for SBC missions emphases: the Georgia Barnette offering for ministries in Louisiana, the Lottie Moon Christmas offering for international missions, and the Annie Armstrong Easter offering for North American missions.
Each summer Vacation Bible School is held for children in the church and community, with an offering that goes to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home. At Christmas the church fills a sock tree with socks for children living at the home. Northside also participates in Operation Christmas Child, packing gift boxes accompanied by the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Locally, the church partners with the Walker Baptist Church Food Pantry to reach out to neighbors in need.
What Northside Believes
The church holds that the Bible is the sole source of authority for doctrine and practice - "truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter" - and that the atoning death of Jesus is sufficient to forgive all sin. Christian worship, in Northside's understanding, is to be "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23-24), standing on the Word of God alone, with casual dress appropriate. Prayer is welcomed from anyone, not just church members, and prayer groups welcome the prayer requests of all.
For those exploring faith, the church presents the gospel in clear steps: admitting sin (Romans 3:23), believing that God raised Christ from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), and confessing that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9). Pastor Lynn Rodrigue is glad to meet with anyone who wants to talk about knowing God and becoming a disciple of Jesus.
Plan a Visit
Northside Baptist Church is at 200 Cockerham Road, Denham Springs, LA 70726. Sunday School begins at 9:15 am and Morning Worship at 10:30 am. The church office can be reached at (225) 664-3161 or northsidebap@bellsouth.net. Directions are available online. Online giving is offered through the Louisiana Baptist Foundation, and an offering is also received each Sunday morning. New guests are encouraged to come as they are - the church's standing invitation is simple: "Come as you are. We'd love to meet you and know you."