Church in Violet honors its pastor

The Rev. Henry Ballard, pastor of Christian Fellowship in Violet, recently received a double honor during the church's Sunday morning worship service. Ballard, the founding pastor of the church, was honored by the congregation with a pastor's appreciation recognition.

Members of the Louisiana Air National Guard were also on hand to officially hold a retirement service for Ballard, who spent 21 years in the National Guard and retired with the rank of master sergeant.

"Actually, I retired from the National Guard two years ago but with all of the post-Katrina activities, we weren't able to hold any type of ceremony," Ballard said.

Ballard said his commanding officer, Capt. Lionel Jones, called him recently and suggested doing it during a Sunday morning during a worship service.

"While I was serving in the National Guard I had to miss church one Sunday each month because of my guard duties, and Capt. Jones thought it would be a good way for the military to express appreciation to the church," Ballard said.

Serving in the Louisiana Air National Guard and also pastoring a church has been "challenging at times," Ballard said.

"I felt called to serve my country and at the same time I also had a calling to serve in the church," he said.

Ballard said he couldn't have done both had it not been for the support of the military as well as members of the church.

"The church (Christian Fellowship) understood my commitment to serving my country, and my commanding officer and the military understood my commitment to my church," Ballard said. "This made it possible for me to do both."

Ballard, 45, is a native of Violet and a graduate of St. Bernard High School. He served as pastor of St. Luke Baptist Church in Plaquemines Parish for five years before he founded Christian Fellowship 12 years ago....