Dr. James Lewis Boatner’s 15th Ministerial Banquet
ORDER OF SERVICE Opening Prayer Entrance of Honoree Welcome/Occasion...................Pastor Tara Hunter Song.................Ruth God Reflections..........(Dinner will be Served) Carla Holmes Pastor Travis Mitchell Louise Crockett Sermonic Dance..............Destiny Beyond Butler Introduction of Speaker.....................Lady Gaines Song................Precious Cullins Message.....................Pastor Robert Gaines , P RESEN TATION S . Thanks...............Dr. James Lewis Boatner Benediction
PA S T O R
JAMES
LEWIS BOATNER, III I t comes as no surprise, James Lewis Boatner was born on a Sunday morning. August 24, 1986 became the apex of a very easy and sweet pregnancy for Carla & James. Though it was not always clear what his life’s path would be – everyone who has known this prodigy from his youth until now, agrees God has something special in store for him. An “old soul” for sure, James was mostly influenced by the elders of his family. Since the time he could talk he knew wanted to be a preacher and was not ashamed to tell anyone who asked. Pastor Boatner attributes his spirituality and love for God’s church to the influence of his grandmothers. His generosity and affinity for humanity definitely comes from his mother & grandfather – but his sharp wit, smile & charisma are without question traits borrowed from his dad. Dr. Boatner has a tremendous passion for
God’s word coupled with a love for God’s people. He has a contagious spirit of big-heartedness that flows through every facet of his ministry. Having received his mandate from God and responding to the call to ministry at a very early age at the Piney Grove Baptist Church of West Monroe, LA., Pastor Boatner, obediently fulfills his calling as a Psalmist, Evangelist, Lecturer & Pastor. His preaching & singing styles and approaches are a smorgasbord of the different pastors he’s been influenced by throughout the years. Pastor Boatner often sites the undeniable impressions made upon him by his preaching idol, Pastor Ronnie Dale Washington, who baptized him at the age of 7 & first publicly acknowledged the calling of God on his life. He was licensed to preach and trained in pastoral care by Pastor Eddie Dean Montgomery as a teenager. From the age of 17 years old Pastor Greg Lamar Oliver, Sr. made the greatest of impacts on Pastor Boatner – always sharing pastoral wisdom and guidance with him & even affording him the opportunity to study at Dallas Theological Seminary by paying his first year’s tuition. At 21 years old, Pastor Boatner was catechized and ordained – at the request of Pastor William Smith & the Pleasant Green Baptist Church of Richwood, LA. - by the 10th District Baptist Association under the watchful eye of, then moderator, Pastor Oliver W. Billups. His catechism council consisted of pastors Ike Byrd III, James B. Johnson, & Andrew J. Mansfield. Reverend Boatner has an extremely unique and intense ministry that he shares with the Body of Christ. This ministry is rooted and watered in the paradox of ” just loving folk “in deed and correction. This prodigy, warmly referred to as Pastor JayBee throughout the city of Monroe, LA., walks with the strength of a lion, vigor in his preaching, the solidity of a rock and the teaching of a diamond-producing coal mine. Men this strong are meant to be held on to! Reverend Boatner is 32 years of age and is the epitome of a “Christian Family Man.” He is a husband & father first and foremost! His wife, Candi & their children are the fuel of his passion. Together, Pastor Boatner & 1st Lady Candi have intentionally stood as a drawing beacon – ushering souls to Christ. His love for her echoes strongly in any room that they are both present in. Any person who has experienced his preaching ministry knows that he finds a place to make her blush with his silly anecdotes & open expressions of love &
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affection for his gorgeous bride. Boatner has studied & graduated from such esteemed institutions as Liberty School of Ministry & Bible Institute – founded by Drs. Johnny & Pamela Drumgole, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Dallas Theological Seminary of Dallas, TX., Liberty University of Lynchburg, VA. & Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. In the Spring of 2018 Pastor Boatner attained his earned Doctorate of Theology (Doctor Theologiae) by successfully constructing and presenting his dissertation arguments: “The Neccissty of Faith in a Postmodern World: The Deteriating Effects of Secular Humanism” Pastor Boatner has a heart for community service and is a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. His inaugural pastorate was with a very loving – 300+ member, community of faith, the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in West Monroe, LA. Pastor Boatner has been used of God to gather, guide and guard the flock of God at New Salem for nearly a decade. Recently the Lord called Dr. Boatner to take helm at the historical Mount Zion Baptist Church of Grambling, LA. Since his arrival, the people of Lincoln Parish have engulfed him and his family with welcoming love and kindness as they embark upon this new and exciting journey together. Through “fumbles”, “touch-downs” and “recoveries on the play” Pastor Boatner lives, loves, and pastors, others based on one essential statement that you will often hear him passionately proclaim in various fellowships –“The Blood of Jesus is Strong Enough to Cover it ALL.” Boatner has preached the message of salvation and liberation all over the nation to thousands of people in hundreds of diverse settings of Christians and sinners alike for 15 years now. Although he has preached at major conferences and lectured at universities he is just as comfortable in a small country church or an urban storefront, especially engaging in one-on-one soul saving conversations with anyone that he may meet. His bold and visionary leadership has been further demonstrated through his public policy work with several pro-life community efforts. With a practical, yet insightful and charismatic preaching style, Pastor Boatner is dedicated to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone he meets. Despite his preaching and singing gifts – personal, intensive and intentional pastoral care is the flagship of his ministry. He is a well-sought after speaker, revivalist, lecturer and singer, who is called on to empower and encourage the people of God as he travels the world declaring the Word of God. Through it all, he is faithful to his calling through an abiding commitment to Christian ministry, disciplined scholarship and edifying humanity through lifting up Jesus… A humble man:
Reverend Doctor James Lewis Boatner
To My First Born Son, I reflect often on how God blessed your mother and I with the beautiful privilege of being your parents. She was my first love. You are the personification of that love magnified and multiplied exponentially. I remember the day you told me that you felt The Lord tugging at your heart to preach. You were only 12 years old. Although I celebrated with you and sang gospel songs with you all the way home, my heart was struck with fear. I hoped maybe it was just a phase. After all, by 14-year-olds you were 6 foot – 2 inches tall and weighed 240 lbs. My hopes were that my big son would continue in being an exceptional ball player. My dream for you was that you’d be able to experience what I would’ve called a “normal life.” As time continued, your passion for Christ only grew stronger. I also remember the rage I felt when you told me you were going to abandon your plush football scholarship at the University of Louisiana at Monroe to pursue what you called “full-time ministry” at 18 years old. I hid my doubts in my heart. I battled often with my fears and frustrations concerning your decisions and God’s beaconing. Alas, my frustrations were calmed when fate allowed you to stand and officiate the funeral service for your brother, James Lewis II. Although you were only 19 years old, you spoke with such clarity and authority. I saw God using my baby with my own two eyes. From the moment you took the podium that day you snatched us from a very dark place and had us standing, singing, and shouting. I watched dozens and dozens of children give their lives to God that day. The sweetest part of that day was after you prayed for those kids, closed your brother’s casket and marched him down that aisle, you stood outside the church and greeted and consoled every mourner with so much strength. But the moment we got into the limousine, you broke down and wept in my arms. That day showed me that though you are mighty in God and preach with fire, boldness, power and clarity – at the end of the day, you are still my baby. You will always be my baby! I Love You Son! -Dad
eventive Measures Pr h it w g n o al y il The Boatner Fam ons to our Hero ti la u at gr n o C y sa Staff would like to s of Ministr y ar ye 5 1 n o er n at o B ese 15 years Pastor James Lewis th w o kn e W . ay d Birth n, and a Happy 33rd some up and dow h it w ed ll fi n ee b of ministr y have erful God has d n o W r u o t u b s n trails and tribulatio seen you through. oment I felt you in m e th u yo h it w Son I fell in love pport you. I think Su s ay w al l il w I d side my Womb an ank GOD daily th I s. ar ye 3 3 e es th I have proven that LOVE. for my Gift of Pure h GOD all things it W . SS E N AT E R G Keep Striving for are possible. I Love U FOREVER Mom
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Dear Christian Friends,
ther. gratitude as we celebrate this milestone toge My heart is overwhelmed with emotions of God ent. edging Christ as the centerpiece of this mom owl ackn my in ide coll on gati obli & erity Sinc ial efforts Word and imputing success to our minister be praised for choosing me to preach His pt e found a deeper resolve to continue the scri hav I ay Tod . bled fum I’ve es tim y man despite the the heat of came to aid the weary prophet, Moses, in He has penned for my life. As Aaron & Hur d hands ngly sat me on The Stone & propped my lifte battle – you, as well, have carefully and lovi this day. on that pray God’s choicest blessings on every pers I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you, but I s, sure te to our sponsoring partners: Preventive Mea salu cial Spe . sion occa this in ated icip part JumpStart ary Baptist Church of West Monroe, LA., Inc., Pastor William E. Armstrong & the Calv e to y well-wisher that donated without hesitanc ever & nd cela Dan ’s olyn Car y, dem Aca g Learnin see this event executed with excellence. 10 for taking a chance on a 22-year-old novice you nk Tha – rch Chu tist Bap m Sale New To the made pasGodly leadership, and abounding faith has years ago. Your love for me, submission to my ministry. You make preaching easy! toring you one of the sweetest reflections of daily. mbling, LA – Your love and concern lifts me To the Mount Zion Baptist Church of Gra ns the and reciprocation. Your presence today mea Acquaintance has swiftly bloomed into love sperpro e your community – we pray for many mor into us ing graft for you nk Tha me. to ld wor ous seasons together. t feel. world – I can’t even imagine how that mus To my children – You share Daddy with the mitted me than all the riches in the world. I am com Being kingly in your eyes matters more to ys l my flame extinguishes. Thank you for alwa unti you for ing pray and ng, ecti prot g, to providin being so understanding. lifts me away & abroad week after week. The To the Love of My Life – The call of ministry without many of our vacations and intimate times abrupt nature of ministry has abbreviated nights, mpts to accommodate with impromptu date notice. I can only hope and pray that my atte r love You s. dinners measure as weighty as my absence de ema hom and , calls t uen freq s, note kind uplifting a decade. Thank You for the calming advice, has been a soothing balm to me for nearly more for me as my partner and friend. I love you ide prov you y bilit unta acco of em syst & prayers, my heart. the world. Your brown eyes sing melody to than all the keys – on all the pianos – in all rt and ony. If my walk in this life should be cut sho Your lips against mine loop in perpetual harm e. ther wait for you in Glory and finish loving you my time here expires before yours – I will h. about the Lord Jesus. I love you both so muc To my parents – Thank you for teaching me You calm me on days that life seems too heavy. Your funny anecdotes and soothing words grown man, father, pastor, and husband are my angels on Earth. Although I am a in your arms – there I am only – you allow me to be vulnerable and weak sacrifices you’ve made. I “son.” I’ll never be able to pay you for the worth it. hope I’m making you proud. I pray to be Truly yours in Christ… Walk with God,