Since 1996 Progressive Church has been honored to have a humble and compassionate man as their spiritual leader.  Sterling Mealancon was appointed this awesome responsibility in April of 1996 and since his appointment, the congregation has experienced constant growth.  Progressive Church has sat as a credible place of worship in Marrero, Louisiana since 1924.  Marrero is located to the west and approximately 9 miles from "Downtown" New Orleans with a population that stood at approximately 38,000 residents during the 2000 census.  Pastor Mealancon a life long resident of Marrero and for as long as he can remember, he has shared a special relationship with Jesus Christ. He kept his hand in God’s hand, growing and maturing in the things of God as he grew in stature.  At a very early age, he recognized that there was a special call on his life.  Step by Step God taught him His ways gently leading him into the work of the ministry.  Reverend Alex Pritchett saw Pastor Mealancon’s great love for Jesus and positioned him as an apprentice to himself.  Pastor Mealancon was faithful in his service to God and Reverend Pritchett.  God used this great mentor to develop and build Pastor Mealancon to become the shepherd of the then Progressive Baptist Church when Reverend Pritchett retired. The Progressive Church family now boasts of a dynamic pastor being used by God to conquer blight, poverty, and social disadvantage.

Pastor Mealancon’s pastoral style is to teach the word with crystal clear clarity, keeping the message simple.  If you met him for the first time outside of the pulpit, his humble demeanor would not give a hint of his great teaching power.  The congregation is taught to apply biblical principles to their situations. In II Timothy 3: 16, 17 we find, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. This method of teaching has resulted in people coming to Jesus and experiencing true personal relationships with Him.  Burdens have been lifted, captives have been set free, and people are living abundant lives. Pastor Mealancon teaches his congregation that the Bible is a road map to living prosperous lives in spite of problems or challenges. Prosperity in this context, does not solely refer to financial means, but also describes a state of living promised for Jesus’ followers throughout the Bible.


God’s assignment for Pastor Mealancon’s church is embodied in the theme, “Helping People Progress.” Pastor Mealancon has placed specific focus on helping people progress spiritually, physically, socially, educationally and economically.  Pastor Mealancon understands that when people are changed on the inside they manifest great things outside of themselves.  Teaching God’s word empowers those that hear the messages to come out of strong holds.  Seeing the evidence first hand has caused Pastor Mealancon to believe that the downtrodden conditions faced by mankind can be overcome by the practical application of biblical principles. Progressive Church is full of examples.  Pastor Mealancon often says “Change what is wrong with a man by changing his heart”.  “Then change a community through groups of people whose hearts have been changed.”  

The web site was developed partially because of Pastor Mealancon’s desire to have all people know that they have the right to come to the understanding of their creator and His plan for mankind.  Without prejudice of political views, race, gender or origin, he says “I will forever strive to empower people with the tools to change their lives and step into their birthright as children of the Almighty God.”

During recent years, it became evident to Pastor Mealancon that the church had to take a proactive leadership position in the community.   Like other communities, Marrero has become a haven of moral degradation, with physical eyesores and high crime rates.  Pastor Mealancon’s compassion for people led to petition God for ways to overcome the human suffering all around him.  The prayers were answered with an enormous vision. Methodically, and with great passion, Pastor Mealancon has followed God’s instruction and moved the once quiet Progressive Baptist Church into becoming the Progressive Church, a beacon of reliable hope in the community.  Old traditional pastoral leadership roles have been broken through the emerging concepts being developed by this dynamic pastor.  Not only have people been changed for the better, but new Progressive homes have been built and members of the church became first time homeowners.  Through retail training at Progressive’ Thrift Store, people learned job skills that could be transitioned into the retail workforce.  More than twenty acres of land has been purchased to develop the Progressive Complex, a multi- faceted complex that will serve the community as well as the region.  Phase I of the complex will become the Progressive Family Life Center;  a one stop informational highway to personal redevelopment, entrepreneurial advancement, safety and human needs assistance. Other phases will include The Progressive Academy, The Progressive Senior Housing Village and a new worship center.  Along with plans for resourceful buildings, Pastor Mealancon vows to fulfill every aspect of the vision.  He has been commissioned by God to build great people and eradicate blight all around him.  In all that has been accomplished, and for all that will be done, Pastor Mealancon gives God all of the glory.

In order to accomplish this huge mandate from God, Pastor Mealancon realized that the ministry had to be restructured to become a 21st Century Church for the New Millennium.  He further realized that in order to bring the vision to fruition, he needed to have knowledge in areas he had never considered before.  Given this, Pastor Mealancon began an insatiable quest to adequately oversee and manage the projects before him.  This pursuit has led to, Pastor Mealancon utilizing the wisdom of expert consultants, regularly attending church and pastoral development conferences,  economic empowerment summits, housing forums and entrepreneurial advancement seminars.  Pastor Mealancon has also dedicated himself to hosting and attending community redevelopment forums and lectures.  

Pastor Mealancon is a graduate of West Jefferson High School and attended the Union Baptist Theological Seminary of New Orleans, LA, earning a Bachelor of Theology Degree.  He is a member of the Potter’s House International Pastoral Alliance (PHIPA) of Dallas, Texas, under the leadership of Bishop T.D. Jakes; Friends International Christian University of Merced Professor; He also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Ministry Degree and a Master of Biblical Studies with Friends International Christian University; Pastor Mealancon is one of several pastors and bishops forming The Cops and Clergy in alliance with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.  

Realizing Pastor Mealancon's visible commitment to restoring the community, The Times Picayune, a local  newspaper and other publications have sough the leadership views of Pastor Mealancon in many articles. Pastor Mealancon was also invited to attend the African American Leadership Summit in Washington D.C. in 2006 and 2007 to express his strategic views for addressing and effectively changing debilitating imbalances in the African American Community.

Because of his great commitment to God, Pastor Mealancon stands as a beaming example of honesty and integrity.  He has been blessed to receive numerous awards, plaques, and items of recognition from the secular and Christian community, the Jefferson parish government and state of Louisiana.  But he says his greatest honor is the honor given to him as a chosen vessel of God.   Pastor Mealancon realizes that God is raising men and women up all over the world that are willing to follow Jesus Christ and do the work that He has assigned to them, so he humbly serves with a spirit of deep gratitude and trust in God.  Mark 9:23 is the foundation of his unwaivering faith.