The Legend, our Board and Partners

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JB Cherry's life was marked by resilience. Born and raised in East Texas, he married and had two children, Sharron Ann and James Charles. Tragically, Sharron Ann's life was cut short by a drunk driver when she was just a toddler. JB's first wife continued to struggle and eventually left him and their son, Charles. This series of personal tragedies could have broken many, but JB's resilience and faith remained unshaken. 

When Charles was nine, JB was pastoring a church he had founded under a 'brush arbor' in Wascom, Texas. During this time, he had a powerful vision of French people singing. He knew that God was calling him to another region. With unwavering faith and determination, he embarked on a journey to find this place. As he drove into Raceland, Louisiana, passing the sugar mill, he heard the people singing in French. This was the confirmation he needed. He packed Charlie and their belongings in a travel trailer, and they moved to Raceland, fully committed to his vision and faith. 

He began having home meetings in the area. The local church officials sent Gloria Rodrigue to his meetings as his piano/accordion/organ player. They worked together, sharing the Gospel throughout the Bayou regions of South Louisiana, and eventually, JB Cherry started the church in Raceland. Despite many hardships, including acquiring a loan for land and hauling water, in building a protestant church in a predominantly Roman Catholic area, he built a strong, thriving church that is still in operation today. 

Before Charles left for college, he proposed on behalf of his father so he wouldn't be alone. JB and Gloria were married a few months later. Two years later, they had their first daughter, Darla. Just a few months after that, Charles fell asleep at the wheel while on a trip to see his mother and was instantly killed. Nine years later, JB and Gloria welcomed their second daughter, Deanna. A few years after she was born, they received word that JB's first wife had passed away - also involving a car accident.

Throughout his life, JB Cherry continuously encountered opportunities to give up on life, God, and ministry, yet he remained a faithful servant. He was known for his laughter, wisdom, passion for people, and commitment to God and family.

JB was a carpenter and pastor, by trade, fishing was his hobby, and people were his passion. This was reflected in a favorite life motto of his..."God didn't call us to clean them. He called us to catch them." The "hook" in the logo is a nod to him in that regard.

JB Cherry didn't make many mission trips, but he had a great one in his backyard and worked well in that field. Yet, he fell in love with the Kenyan people on a mission trip to build church buildings for pastors and a missionary friend, Morris Potts. His book, Bwana Tembo: A Prince with God, By Morris Plotts and Robert Lamb, mentions this. JB's Kenyan name was Bwana Matunda (Lord Fruit - for his surname being Cherry). This love and relationships built with Kenyan pastors also sparked this in Deanna, which is why you are reading this today.