| P.O. Box 243 Bentley, Louisiana Celebrating 10 years 1997 to 2007 |
CHRISTWAY STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
To bring people to Jesus and fellowship, develop them to Christ-like maturity, and
prepare them for their ministry in His church and their life mission in the world.
HISTORY OF CHRISTWAY CHURCH
On September 29, 1997 Bro. Leo Lytle held the first service of a tent revival on the corner of Rock Hill
Road and Highway 167. There were about 35 people in attendance. He announced at that first service
that God had led him to start a new church in this area. He didn’t know exactly where the church would be
built but he was taking a step of faith to begin this church as he felt this was the mission God had for him.
This church would be for the lost in the area that other churches didn’t seek out to be a part of their
church family. Chuck and Margaret Davis provided the music. Some of the people in attendance that night
were Jerry and Terry Johnson, Jerry’s sister and mother, Dot and Philbert Bordelon, Rod and Vicki Wiley
and children, Nola Ellington, Charles and Carolyn McVay, Shirley and Dana Canoe, and many others. This
revival lasted one week with the last service being on a Sunday afternoon. Bro. Leo’s family from
Shreveport came on the Thursday night of the revival. His brother-in-law, Kent, came and played the
fiddle. The group, HIS, came and sang on Friday night of the revival. Brenda Ogden came and sang on
Saturday night of that week. During the revival $1,267 was collected to do a mail out to the area. This
was the birth of Christway Church. During the revival Matthew Wiley and Mr. Charles McVay were saved
and made a public profession of faith.
In September of 1997 arrangements were made to lease a lot on the corner of Rock Hill Road and Highway
167 in Bentley, Louisiana. The cost of the lease was $1.00 per year. This was the site on which Christway
Church was to be built. Construction began in September 1997. Christway Church was built by Bro. Leo, his
father, Jerry Johnson, Charles McVay, Bob Ellington, and several others from the community who donated
their time and labor. The church was built on piers, as we knew this was not the permanent place. The
ladies in the church prepared lunch for the men while they worked on the building. This first incarnation of
the church consisted of one building. There was a small nursery, two bathrooms, and the sanctuary. The
seating was metal and wood folding chairs
Although the building was not fully completed the first service was held on November 23, 1997. The Lord’s
Supper was observed on this first service. The walls had sheet rock, which had only been taped and floated
but not painted; and there was no carpet on the floor. The only heat in the building was electric heaters
placed around the room. There was no piano but music was provided by Nola Ellington, who brought a
keyboard to play for the service. During the first service in the building the following people became charter
members of Christway Church: Dillon Wiley, Matthew Wiley, Rodney Wiley Jr, Justin Wiley, Rodney Wiley,
Sr., Vicki Wiley, Carolyn McVay, Charles McVay, Giddian Luke Lytle, Leo Lytle, Adam Lytle, Matthew
Lytle, Charolyn Kay Lytle, Alta Johnson, Jerry Johnson, Terry Johnson, Jackie Bermudez, Amanda
Bermudez, Krystal Bermudez, Francisco Bermudez, Elisa Bermudez, Melba Fletcher, and Mike Fletcher. The
first service was followed by our first Thanksgiving Dinner and praise service on November 26, 1997.
December of 1997 was a very busy month for the Christway Family. Mr. David Kutz, a missionary to Mexico
who resides in Picayunne, Mississippi, came and brought an organ which had been donated to the church from a
family in Mississippi. Iatt Baptist Church, through the efforts of their pastor, Bro. Arthur Mora, donated
a piano to Christway. In this same month the church received a donation of hymnals from a friend of Bro.
Leo’s. At this time we began a building and heating fund and welcomed Christway’s Church pianist, Nola
Ellington.
The first workday to complete the inside of the sanctuary was held in January of 1998. In February of this
same year the church began a fund raiser selling blocks to complete the Sunday school building. In May of
1998 Christway held their first “Glory Day” to help raise funds to begin building Sunday school rooms. We
also welcomed Joe Aulds as our guest speaker in May. The first Vacation Bible School was held in July of
1998. Moody Adams was guest speaker at our service on July 14, 1998. The first “Christway Family
Night” was held in October of 1998 and in November the youth went to New Orleans to witness in the French
Quarter.
Collections for the church library began in January of 1999. March 14 was our first revival with guest
speaker Kent Leonard. In April of 1999 the original sanctuary was paid off and moved to its present
location. In May of the same year work began on the building of a Sunday school addition to the church.
This building consisted of an office, a nursery, 4 Sunday school rooms, and a kitchen. In May 1999 the
ladies of Christway Church compiled and published their own cookbook to sell to assist in the building fund.
Mrs. Debbie Bryant printed the books on her computer and also performed the binding to put the books
together. The ladies raised a total of $400 by selling the cookbooks. Mr. Buddy Eznack generously cooked
meals, including brisket lunches, which were sold enabling the church to raise significant amounts of money for
the building fund. The church celebrated another first in May of 1999 with the first graduating High School
Senior, Paul Eznack. July 25th brought another milestone when it was announced that Christway Church was
now the proud new owners of the land directly behind the church. August 11th Christway Church celebrated
the first ordination ceremony in the church of its deacon, Bob Ellington. On August 17th the church adopted
its constitution and bylaws at the monthly business meeting. Dr. Glen Bryant spoke at our services on August
29th. We welcomed missionary from China, Mike Robertson on October 10th. In November of 1999 the
youth went to the Delta Women’s Clinic in Shreveport to provide an informational picket against abortion.
They went again in 2000 for another informational picket.
On January 2nd of 2000 the first Sunday school classes were held in the new building. The weekend before
the first classes were held there was a 24-hour prayer vigil held in the new building. Mrs. Jackie Schneider
was the teacher for the children of school age, Mrs. Charolyn Lytle was the teacher for the pre-school, and
Laurah Gray was the youth teacher. On April 24th of that year we welcomed a new member to the church,
Sam Lytle. Congratulations to Bro. Leo and Charlene Kay, his proud parents. October 23rd 2000 guest Tim
Wallace and Perry Sober joined us for a revival.
As of April, 2001, there were 60 members on roll at Christway. There were a total of 10 people saved and
baptized during the first year of Christway’s existence. With baptism services being held at Iatt Baptist
Church, Hudson Creek Baptist Church and even a swimming pool at member’s residences. On April 22nd of
2001 Christway welcomed Travis Glenn, grandson of Charles and Carolyn McVay, as our guest speaker. A men’
s prayer breakfast was held on May 29th of 2001. The first baby dedication was held on September 30,
2001.
On January 20th, 2002 the youth staged an abortion protest by placing a sign and 250 white crosses on the
grounds in front of the church for all passer byres to see. March 24th 2002 Christway welcomed for the
first of many visits Paul Daly and his family, performing The Wild Horse Ministries. In May of 2002 work
began on a larger sanctuary. In August of 2002 Linda Messing and Carolyn McVay traveled to Mississippi to
purchase new pews for the new sanctuary. On October 22nd 2002 Bro. Leo Lytle performed his “Baking
Soda Whiskers” Tour in Ruston, Louisiana.
In February of 2003 Christway Church purchased a used electric piano out of Jonesville, La. for $3000 this
money had been raised by the ladies selling lunches.
One special member was Mrs. Lanell Eznack. For 2 years some of the ladies of the church cooked and sold
meals every Friday. Mrs. Eznack was there every Friday until the late summer of 2004. She was able to
attend the first two or three Sundays in the new sanctuary before going home to be with Jesus.
Another very special member of our church family was Curly Maxey, father of Philip Maxey. Mr. Maxey was
a breath of Holy Spirit when he entered the church. His prayers were anointed by God and you could feel
God’s love in Mr. Maxey. We were so blessed to have had both Mrs. Lanell and Mr. Maxey in our church
family.
In August of 2005 we provided a temporary home to several families displaced by hurricanes Katrina a Rita.
We continued to house some of these people for three months. There was a lot of work involved in getting
the Sunday School rooms turned into bedrooms but what a blessing our church family received by getting to
know and help these families.
In October of 2005 the Lanell Eznack Samaritan House opened. This was planned earlier but plans had to be
put on hold due to the hurricanes and the need for the church to be a shelter for the people from New
Orleans. The Samaritan House started out in a very small mobile home behind the church. Soon after
opening the doors the Samaritan House became inundated with donations and items were stored in the
unfinished building behind the church. At that time Buddy Eznack blessed the church again by allowing the
Samaritan House to relocate to a house he owned at 6979 Hwy 8. This house has 3 large rooms, a kitchen,
bathroom, and a small room. As of November, 2007 the house is completely full of clothing and other
articles to be sold. The community has taken notice and almost every time a church member goes to the
Samaritan House the carport is full of donations left anonymously. The people in Grant Parish have been so
wonderful in donating to the Samaritan House. The money raised from the Samaritan House is used to help
senior citizens. The church has helped many with utilities, medicines, and sponsored several seniors at the
Food Bank. The Samaritan House also aids seniors in completing forms to get signed up for free or reduced
price medicines. The motto of the Samaritan House is “ Serving Christ By Serving His People”, and that’s
exactly what we are trying to do. The Lanell Eznack Samaritan House was named after the beloved Mrs.
Lanell Eznack because she loved the lord, and was always serving Christ’s people both physically and
spiritually. Mrs. Lanell’s church family named the Samaritan house after her to remind them of what she
stood for and the wonderful example that she led for her church and her family. We felt this was the best
way we could to honor the memory of this great Christian lady. “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her
price is far above rubies.”
On May 25th 2006 Christway was joined by guest speaker Bobby Campo from Montgomery, La. The church
started a fund raising project in the fall of 2006 in order to pay the remaining balance of the loan for the
church. We established a “Joash Box”. By the spring of 2007 our church became totally debt free.
From the beginning of Christway until June, 2007 there have been at least 10 babies born and 6 members
who went home to be with God. There have been 6 weddings held at Christway.
Christway Church was built by many while being led by two of the best and most beloved men. From the
first service in 1997 to August of 2004 Bro. Leo Lytle led the church in worship services. At which time he
began a one year sabbatical until August of 2005. During this time Bro. Richard Kaufman joined the church
as interim pastor. Since this time Bro. Richard has gone on to preach at his own church in Marthaville, La.
The lord has truly blessed the church and its members by bringing these two Christian men and their families
to the community. They have been welcomed in as part of the family and will remain in our hearts no matter
where the Lord takes them.
On December 2, 2007 we held a special anniversary service. Bro. Richard Kaufman read The Church
Triumphant and then gave a testimony on what his time of being interim pastor for 9 months at Christway
meant to him. Then Robert Mendenhall, Deacon, awarded a certificate of Pastor Emeritus to Bro. Leo Lytle.
Several members gave their testimony on what Christway means to them as part of the church family. It
was a great servce. God has truly blessed Christway.
In the beginning of June, 2008 we were blessed again when God sent Bro. Delbert Cates and his family to be
our pastor. He is bringing new life and growth to Christway and we are so happy to have him as our pastor.
I haven't posted any pictures of him yet but will be doing that soon.
To bring people to Jesus and fellowship, develop them to Christ-like maturity, and
prepare them for their ministry in His church and their life mission in the world.
HISTORY OF CHRISTWAY CHURCH
On September 29, 1997 Bro. Leo Lytle held the first service of a tent revival on the corner of Rock Hill
Road and Highway 167. There were about 35 people in attendance. He announced at that first service
that God had led him to start a new church in this area. He didn’t know exactly where the church would be
built but he was taking a step of faith to begin this church as he felt this was the mission God had for him.
This church would be for the lost in the area that other churches didn’t seek out to be a part of their
church family. Chuck and Margaret Davis provided the music. Some of the people in attendance that night
were Jerry and Terry Johnson, Jerry’s sister and mother, Dot and Philbert Bordelon, Rod and Vicki Wiley
and children, Nola Ellington, Charles and Carolyn McVay, Shirley and Dana Canoe, and many others. This
revival lasted one week with the last service being on a Sunday afternoon. Bro. Leo’s family from
Shreveport came on the Thursday night of the revival. His brother-in-law, Kent, came and played the
fiddle. The group, HIS, came and sang on Friday night of the revival. Brenda Ogden came and sang on
Saturday night of that week. During the revival $1,267 was collected to do a mail out to the area. This
was the birth of Christway Church. During the revival Matthew Wiley and Mr. Charles McVay were saved
and made a public profession of faith.
In September of 1997 arrangements were made to lease a lot on the corner of Rock Hill Road and Highway
167 in Bentley, Louisiana. The cost of the lease was $1.00 per year. This was the site on which Christway
Church was to be built. Construction began in September 1997. Christway Church was built by Bro. Leo, his
father, Jerry Johnson, Charles McVay, Bob Ellington, and several others from the community who donated
their time and labor. The church was built on piers, as we knew this was not the permanent place. The
ladies in the church prepared lunch for the men while they worked on the building. This first incarnation of
the church consisted of one building. There was a small nursery, two bathrooms, and the sanctuary. The
seating was metal and wood folding chairs
Although the building was not fully completed the first service was held on November 23, 1997. The Lord’s
Supper was observed on this first service. The walls had sheet rock, which had only been taped and floated
but not painted; and there was no carpet on the floor. The only heat in the building was electric heaters
placed around the room. There was no piano but music was provided by Nola Ellington, who brought a
keyboard to play for the service. During the first service in the building the following people became charter
members of Christway Church: Dillon Wiley, Matthew Wiley, Rodney Wiley Jr, Justin Wiley, Rodney Wiley,
Sr., Vicki Wiley, Carolyn McVay, Charles McVay, Giddian Luke Lytle, Leo Lytle, Adam Lytle, Matthew
Lytle, Charolyn Kay Lytle, Alta Johnson, Jerry Johnson, Terry Johnson, Jackie Bermudez, Amanda
Bermudez, Krystal Bermudez, Francisco Bermudez, Elisa Bermudez, Melba Fletcher, and Mike Fletcher. The
first service was followed by our first Thanksgiving Dinner and praise service on November 26, 1997.
December of 1997 was a very busy month for the Christway Family. Mr. David Kutz, a missionary to Mexico
who resides in Picayunne, Mississippi, came and brought an organ which had been donated to the church from a
family in Mississippi. Iatt Baptist Church, through the efforts of their pastor, Bro. Arthur Mora, donated
a piano to Christway. In this same month the church received a donation of hymnals from a friend of Bro.
Leo’s. At this time we began a building and heating fund and welcomed Christway’s Church pianist, Nola
Ellington.
The first workday to complete the inside of the sanctuary was held in January of 1998. In February of this
same year the church began a fund raiser selling blocks to complete the Sunday school building. In May of
1998 Christway held their first “Glory Day” to help raise funds to begin building Sunday school rooms. We
also welcomed Joe Aulds as our guest speaker in May. The first Vacation Bible School was held in July of
1998. Moody Adams was guest speaker at our service on July 14, 1998. The first “Christway Family
Night” was held in October of 1998 and in November the youth went to New Orleans to witness in the French
Quarter.
Collections for the church library began in January of 1999. March 14 was our first revival with guest
speaker Kent Leonard. In April of 1999 the original sanctuary was paid off and moved to its present
location. In May of the same year work began on the building of a Sunday school addition to the church.
This building consisted of an office, a nursery, 4 Sunday school rooms, and a kitchen. In May 1999 the
ladies of Christway Church compiled and published their own cookbook to sell to assist in the building fund.
Mrs. Debbie Bryant printed the books on her computer and also performed the binding to put the books
together. The ladies raised a total of $400 by selling the cookbooks. Mr. Buddy Eznack generously cooked
meals, including brisket lunches, which were sold enabling the church to raise significant amounts of money for
the building fund. The church celebrated another first in May of 1999 with the first graduating High School
Senior, Paul Eznack. July 25th brought another milestone when it was announced that Christway Church was
now the proud new owners of the land directly behind the church. August 11th Christway Church celebrated
the first ordination ceremony in the church of its deacon, Bob Ellington. On August 17th the church adopted
its constitution and bylaws at the monthly business meeting. Dr. Glen Bryant spoke at our services on August
29th. We welcomed missionary from China, Mike Robertson on October 10th. In November of 1999 the
youth went to the Delta Women’s Clinic in Shreveport to provide an informational picket against abortion.
They went again in 2000 for another informational picket.
On January 2nd of 2000 the first Sunday school classes were held in the new building. The weekend before
the first classes were held there was a 24-hour prayer vigil held in the new building. Mrs. Jackie Schneider
was the teacher for the children of school age, Mrs. Charolyn Lytle was the teacher for the pre-school, and
Laurah Gray was the youth teacher. On April 24th of that year we welcomed a new member to the church,
Sam Lytle. Congratulations to Bro. Leo and Charlene Kay, his proud parents. October 23rd 2000 guest Tim
Wallace and Perry Sober joined us for a revival.
As of April, 2001, there were 60 members on roll at Christway. There were a total of 10 people saved and
baptized during the first year of Christway’s existence. With baptism services being held at Iatt Baptist
Church, Hudson Creek Baptist Church and even a swimming pool at member’s residences. On April 22nd of
2001 Christway welcomed Travis Glenn, grandson of Charles and Carolyn McVay, as our guest speaker. A men’
s prayer breakfast was held on May 29th of 2001. The first baby dedication was held on September 30,
2001.
On January 20th, 2002 the youth staged an abortion protest by placing a sign and 250 white crosses on the
grounds in front of the church for all passer byres to see. March 24th 2002 Christway welcomed for the
first of many visits Paul Daly and his family, performing The Wild Horse Ministries. In May of 2002 work
began on a larger sanctuary. In August of 2002 Linda Messing and Carolyn McVay traveled to Mississippi to
purchase new pews for the new sanctuary. On October 22nd 2002 Bro. Leo Lytle performed his “Baking
Soda Whiskers” Tour in Ruston, Louisiana.
In February of 2003 Christway Church purchased a used electric piano out of Jonesville, La. for $3000 this
money had been raised by the ladies selling lunches.
One special member was Mrs. Lanell Eznack. For 2 years some of the ladies of the church cooked and sold
meals every Friday. Mrs. Eznack was there every Friday until the late summer of 2004. She was able to
attend the first two or three Sundays in the new sanctuary before going home to be with Jesus.
Another very special member of our church family was Curly Maxey, father of Philip Maxey. Mr. Maxey was
a breath of Holy Spirit when he entered the church. His prayers were anointed by God and you could feel
God’s love in Mr. Maxey. We were so blessed to have had both Mrs. Lanell and Mr. Maxey in our church
family.
In August of 2005 we provided a temporary home to several families displaced by hurricanes Katrina a Rita.
We continued to house some of these people for three months. There was a lot of work involved in getting
the Sunday School rooms turned into bedrooms but what a blessing our church family received by getting to
know and help these families.
In October of 2005 the Lanell Eznack Samaritan House opened. This was planned earlier but plans had to be
put on hold due to the hurricanes and the need for the church to be a shelter for the people from New
Orleans. The Samaritan House started out in a very small mobile home behind the church. Soon after
opening the doors the Samaritan House became inundated with donations and items were stored in the
unfinished building behind the church. At that time Buddy Eznack blessed the church again by allowing the
Samaritan House to relocate to a house he owned at 6979 Hwy 8. This house has 3 large rooms, a kitchen,
bathroom, and a small room. As of November, 2007 the house is completely full of clothing and other
articles to be sold. The community has taken notice and almost every time a church member goes to the
Samaritan House the carport is full of donations left anonymously. The people in Grant Parish have been so
wonderful in donating to the Samaritan House. The money raised from the Samaritan House is used to help
senior citizens. The church has helped many with utilities, medicines, and sponsored several seniors at the
Food Bank. The Samaritan House also aids seniors in completing forms to get signed up for free or reduced
price medicines. The motto of the Samaritan House is “ Serving Christ By Serving His People”, and that’s
exactly what we are trying to do. The Lanell Eznack Samaritan House was named after the beloved Mrs.
Lanell Eznack because she loved the lord, and was always serving Christ’s people both physically and
spiritually. Mrs. Lanell’s church family named the Samaritan house after her to remind them of what she
stood for and the wonderful example that she led for her church and her family. We felt this was the best
way we could to honor the memory of this great Christian lady. “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her
price is far above rubies.”
On May 25th 2006 Christway was joined by guest speaker Bobby Campo from Montgomery, La. The church
started a fund raising project in the fall of 2006 in order to pay the remaining balance of the loan for the
church. We established a “Joash Box”. By the spring of 2007 our church became totally debt free.
From the beginning of Christway until June, 2007 there have been at least 10 babies born and 6 members
who went home to be with God. There have been 6 weddings held at Christway.
Christway Church was built by many while being led by two of the best and most beloved men. From the
first service in 1997 to August of 2004 Bro. Leo Lytle led the church in worship services. At which time he
began a one year sabbatical until August of 2005. During this time Bro. Richard Kaufman joined the church
as interim pastor. Since this time Bro. Richard has gone on to preach at his own church in Marthaville, La.
The lord has truly blessed the church and its members by bringing these two Christian men and their families
to the community. They have been welcomed in as part of the family and will remain in our hearts no matter
where the Lord takes them.
On December 2, 2007 we held a special anniversary service. Bro. Richard Kaufman read The Church
Triumphant and then gave a testimony on what his time of being interim pastor for 9 months at Christway
meant to him. Then Robert Mendenhall, Deacon, awarded a certificate of Pastor Emeritus to Bro. Leo Lytle.
Several members gave their testimony on what Christway means to them as part of the church family. It
was a great servce. God has truly blessed Christway.
In the beginning of June, 2008 we were blessed again when God sent Bro. Delbert Cates and his family to be
our pastor. He is bringing new life and growth to Christway and we are so happy to have him as our pastor.
I haven't posted any pictures of him yet but will be doing that soon.
Bro,. Leo Lytle Bro. Richard and Sue Kaufman
| Christway Church |