It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade. A central Louisiana native, Day came to Baton Rouge in 1986 from Louisville, Ky., to serve as executive director of the newly formed federation. Under Day's leadership, the foundation has added 36 additional congregations. The federation's Holy Grill has served hot meals to indigent residents five days per week since 1987, and offered courses in job training, self help and healthcare.
Day says it's all about respect.
With the kind of trust that can come out of a dialogue we can begin to see the full measure of what our emotions are. In August 1989, Charlie deGravelles was invited to join a group of religious volunteers for a day of prayer at Angola State Penitentiary. The weekend trip changed his life. An ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church, deGravelles was struck by the level of spirituality he found at the prison. When the Bible study ended that weekend, volunteers went home but the prisoners stayed behind.