Our Story
"A Church You Could Love"
Truth Ministry of Ascension was established in 1997 by Rev. Edward "Buddy" Gaines Sr. and First Lady Katie Gaines. After serving as an Associate Minister, Sunday School Superintendent, and Chairman of the Deacon Board, for many years at the former Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Geismar, LA, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Irvin Briley Jr., Pastor Gaines stepped out on faith and followed a vision from God to form Truth Ministry.
The first worship service was conducted on May 11, 1997, at two o'clock in the afternoon inside a rented church building located in Plaquemine, Louisiana. While worshiping in Plaquemine, Pastor Gaines and First Lady Gaines made another leap of faith to leave the city of Plaquemine and move the congregation to Dame Drive in Prairieville. God led Pastor Gaines to a former "take-out" restaurant that had been vacant for several years. The building was purchased, and Pastor Gaines and the members worked tirelessly to renovate the building for worship services.
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In the Fall of the year 2017, the Ministry broke ground on its current building. In the years that followed two more buildings were added to the campus to accommodate a learning center for the church's children, and a gathering house for small meetings.
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In March 2018, while preparing to attend Sunday morning worship services, First Lady Katie Rose Sterling Gaines quietly entered her eternal rest. Before her departure, she left the Ministry with one final scripture, "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest". Joshua 1:9 She will always be remembered as the backbone and pioneer of the Ministry. Her loving and caring spirit is treasured memories of those that knew her.
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In August 2023, the ministry faced yet another challenge when Pastor Edward Gaines Sr. was called home to eternal rest at the age of 83. In December of that same year, Pastor Gaines's son, Corey Gaines, was installed as the new pastor.
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Over the years, our faith has remained grounded in God's revelation in Jesus Christ and the continuing guidance of the Holy Spirit. We kept our hearts and minds centered on God's vision. Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith and the focus of the Ministry mission and message in our ever-increasing mission to seek and save the lost and to maintain a church that you could love.
