ABOUT SWEETWATER

God called us to plant a church in Abita Springs that could bring the refreshing "living waters" of Jesus to the people of our community. 

OUR LEADERS

  • KEN SCHROEDER - planter/PASTOR

    Having served as a pastor since 1982, Ken has a burning desire to see people’s lives changed through the gospel. This passion drove him to plant SweetWater Church in Abita Springs in 2021. Ken grew up on a farm just outside Burkburnett, Texas. He married his high school sweetheart, Gayla Wheeler, in 1975. They have four married children and nine grandchildren. Prior to starting SweetWater Church, Ken served as the pastor of four other churches, including more than 23 years at Mandeville’s First Baptist Church. A graduate of Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas, (BSE 1982) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, (MDiv 1985, DMin 1989), Ken also writes Bible study materials for LifeWay Christian Resources. Ken has been the “voice of Bulldogs” at Fontainebleau High School, announcing football, volleyball, basketball, and baseball since 2004.

  • Kim espinosa- worship Leader

    Kim joined the SweetWater team in September 2025 as the church's worship leader. She attends New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as she works towards a Master of Music degree in Church Music, after completing a BA at the Leavell College at NOBTS in 2024. Previously, Kim served as a music intern at First Baptist Church, Pearl River, LA. 

OUR CORE VALUES

  • Celebrating God through worship

  • Communicating the gospel with people who need to know Jesus

  • Believing that the Bible is God’s revelation to us

  • Connecting with other believers for spiritual growth

  • Expecting God to do the miraculous in our lives

  • Giving generously so that we can meet physical, social, and spiritual needs

  • Responding to needs in our community and world

What Do We Believe?

SweetWater affirms these primary statements as a gospel-centered church seekign to bring glory to God. In addition to these statements, we affirm the Baptist Faith and Message, 2000.

  • The Scriptures. We believe the Bible is divinely inspired and is the final authority in all matters of life. The Bible is God's revelation about Himself, the sinfulness of man, and salvation through Jesus Christ. We further believe that the Bible should be read, studied, and applied by believers privately and with others in order to mature in the grace and knowledge of God  (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
  • Worship. We are created to worship God. This is our ultimate reason for our existence (John 4:23-24). We seek to praise and worship God as individuals, families, and a local church. 
  • Salvation. We believe redemption is offered freely to all people who place their trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, who, through His sacrificial and substitutionary death on the cross, paid the price for our sin. Christ's death on the cross is the heart of the gospel, His resurrection is the power of the gospel, and His ascension is the glory of the gospel (John 3:14-17; Romans 3:21-26; 1 Corinthians 15:1-6).  
  • Baptism. Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water (Acts 8:36-39). It is an act of obedience symbolizing faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior; the believer's death to sin; the burial of the old life; and the resurrection to walk in a new life in Christ (Romans 6:4). 
  • The Lord's Supper (Communion). The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members memorialize Jesus' death and anticipate His return (Matthew 26:36-30; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). 
  • Prayer. Prayer is a privilege and a responsibility of every believer. God releases His power and leading in the lives of those who spend time in prayer (Matthew 6:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
  • Life Transformation. Christians should daily pursue a growing personal relationship with Christ and are responsible for becoming more like Christ in their beliefs and conduct (Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:28). We provide opportunities for believers to develop a Christian worldview and thus love others as God so loved us.
  • Personal Evangelism and Missions. Every person is loved by God, who has entrusted us with communicating the message of salvation (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). We seek to share that message with all people -- regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status -- at home and around the world. 
  • Stewardship. In that God owns everything, Christians should adopt a lifestyle of stewardship, practicing the biblical principle of tithing (giving at least one-tenth of income) to support the Lord's work through the church (Malachi 3:10; 1 Corinthians 4:2; 16:2; 1 Peter 4:10). We also believe that Christians are called to give offerings above the tithe as God leads in order to further God's kingdom work on earth.