DONNA KEATING

PHOTO: St. James Community Church is located at 39316 Industrial Park St. in Paulina. (Staff Photos by Donna Keating) PAULINA – St. James Community Church in Paulina, an interdenominational church, is open to people of all religious faiths. The church’s pastor, Larry Rocquin, said, “According to the Bible, there are not separate religions. At our church, we get back to God’s word – He wants us to love Him like He loves us. We have a healthy, relaxed atmosphere and that makes everybody feel like they are welcome. It’s not rigid and it’s not condemning. You can come dressed in shorts or a suit.” He added, “Everytime we preach it pertains to everyday life. We specialize in relationships, everyone has relationship problems. When you have problems with relationships with other people, you don’t have a proper relationship with God.” The church’s motto is “Building people will build His church.” Rocquin explained and said, “If we help people become everything that God wants them to be, God will build His church naturally.” Before his calling as a pastor, Rocquin, a native of Metairie, spent 20 years in Hammond working as a successful businessman. He later met his wife, Rinalda, who was teaching child development at Southeastern Louisiana University. The couple felt they both had a religious calling and they decided to leave their occupations. From there they attended M.T.I. Bible College in Baton Rouge. Larry then gained the experience he needed by working with the pastor of the Church of Faith in Hammond for 10 years. Meanwhile, Rinalda, was in charge of the children’s ministry at the church. After Rocquin joined the Missions Association, he and his wife traveled to Russia and established three churches. While working in Russia, Rocquin taught a series of very successful marriage seminars, which took him throughout Russia and then to Africa and Mongolia. Upon his return to Louisiana, Rocquin was invited to conduct a marriage seminar at St. James Community Church. He said he felt God wanted him there. Inspired by Rocquin’s marriage seminars, St. James Community Church member Jimmy Stout now holds a series of marriage workshops which focus on many different aspects of marriage. Rocquin commended Stout, saying, “Stout’s workshops are one of the most successful programs this church has going. People from different churches come from all over to attend the workshops.” St. James Community Church also offers a youth group, which meets every other Saturday at 4 p.m. The church offers Game Night and it takes place Fridays from 7-10 p.m. at different church members’ homes. Regular church services are Sundays at 8:30 a.m and 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. A special children’s church service is on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. The church is associated with White Dove Fellowship of New Orleans. For information on the church call 225-869-4120 or visit its website at www.stjamescommunitychurch.com.