Rooted in the conviction that every person belongs at God’s table, the Rev. Deacon Lester Mut of the Diocese of Louisiana sought to expand La Mesa, a vibrant bilingual ministry of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge. La Mesa (“The Table”) gathers English- and Spanish-speaking neighbors to learn together, share meals, and worship in a spirit of mutual respect and joy.
A Ministry of Language, Hospitality, and Fellowship
What began as a small experiment in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and conversational Spanish classes has grown into a cross-cultural community of friendship and faith. Each semester offers multiple levels of language study followed by a shared meal—an embodied expression of God’s welcome to all. Seasonal celebrations such as Las Posadas and Día de los Tres Reyes Magos strengthen the sense of belonging and shared joy.
With support from an EES grant, Deacon Mut and the La Mesa leadership team increased their hospitality budget to accommodate growing attendance and provided additional training for volunteers through the Genesis Gathering and the Nuevo Amanecer conference. By spring 2025, La Mesa had welcomed dozens of students each week and deepened relationships across cultures.
Faith in Practice During Challenging Times
During a season of heightened political tension, attendance from Hispanic students dipped, but the smaller classes opened space for deeper connection and pastoral care. The team adapted with creativity and sensitivity—enhancing safety measures, limiting public details about class locations, and relying on personal invitations to maintain trust. Even in uncertain times, students and teachers continued to gather for conversation, prayer, and shared meals where language barriers gave way to laughter and mutual support.
Partnership and Growth
In spring 2025, La Mesa partnered with Louisiana State University Public Relations students to create new branding, a private Facebook group, and fundraising events such as a restaurant night and a salsa dance fundraiser. These efforts expanded community awareness and brought fresh energy to the ministry. A summer pool party and eight-week class series followed, drawing 20 participants and reviving momentum for the fall.
Stories of Transformation
For leader Danielle Thomas, La Mesa became a source of spiritual healing and renewal after past pain in ministry. “I can feel the light of my faith and calling beginning to pulse and shine again,” she reflects. Fellow leader Leslie Weimer adds, “I often gaze around the room with wonder at students who were once lonely and isolated, now laughing and greeting friends they met here.” The community’s bonds extend well beyond language lessons—into shared meals, acts of mutual aid, and worship that reveals God’s love in two languages.
Looking Ahead
Today, La Mesa continues to thrive as a hub of connection between cultures in Baton Rouge. Plans are underway to replicate its model in other parishes of the Diocese of Louisiana. As Deacon Mut writes, “La Mesa is more than a program—it is a living testimony to how God brings people together across difference, transforming strangers into friends at the table of Christ.”
