More people packed into the pews at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans East on a Monday evening last month than many churches see on an average Sunday service.
Longtime Pastor Fred Luter Jr. had announced plans to retire from his role leading the church on his 40th anniversary next fall. And for his succession plan, he wanted to see his son, Pastor Fred “Chip” Luter III, take over and carry the church into its next phase.
In the past four decades, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church went from a small 65 member church in the St. Roch area to one of the largest and most influential mega churches in the state, visible from Interstate 10 and spanning several city blocks…