By Will Hall, Message Editor
ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – A growing list of Louisiana Baptist pastors, including the present and a number of former presidents of the Convention, have announced their support of Ken Hemphill as president of the Southern Baptist Convention.
The information found on KenHemphill2018.com includes strong statements extolling Hemphill’s theology as best representing the consensus beliefs of Southern Baptists, and describing his lengthy record of cooperation at all levels in SBC life as most consistent with what SBC leaders should personify.
Some referred to his extensive executive experience with the SBC as the key qualification in these times of turmoil within the Convention.
ENDORSEMENT STATEMENTS
Steve Horn said Hemphill’s Cooperative Program record “resonates best with me.” Horn is pastor of the First Baptist Church in Lafayette, and served as LBC president from 2014-2015.
“I am excited he is on record as saying, ‘The traditional cooperative means of giving should be the default method of giving, receiving the majority of each church’s mission dollars,” Horn continued. “Mission trips and special initiatives that a church wants to fund should be above and beyond the normal means of supporting our seminaries and mission agencies.”
“This is what separates us as being Southern Baptists,” he added. “Our commonly held theology makes us “Baptists” or more precisely “Conservative, biblical Baptists.” The Cooperative Program’s practical methodology makes us Southern Baptists.
Philip Robertson, pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville and Alexandria, and past LBC president (2004-2005), echoed Horn’s endorsement, saying, “I know the value of having a SBC president with a proven record of championing evangelism, Cooperative Missions, and the salt & light influence of Southern Baptists in our nation and the world.
“In my opinion, Ken Hemphill is that man,” Robertson said, “and I look forward to voting for him in Dallas!”
Several endorsers were direct about their support because of a single quality or issue.
“I support Dr. Hemphill because he values and supports the ministry of state conventions. He stands for the ministry we do every day with the churches of Louisiana,” explained Bill Robertson, Louisiana Baptists’ director of pastoral leadership, who was LBC president in 2006.
David Cranford, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Ponchatoula, declared his support because “Ken Hemphill supports the Cooperative Programs.
Steve James, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles, and former LBC president, 2002-2003, summed up his support for Hemphill in spiritual terms.
“I have watched him preach, teach and lead with a confidence in the Word of God and a dependency upon the Holy Spirit,” James said. “I have the utmost confidence that Ken will lead this convention in a way that will exalt the name of Christ around the world.”
Meanwhile, Kevin Stewart, pastor of McClendon Baptist Church in West Monroe, who also hosted a rally for Hemphill to meet Louisiana Baptists, said it was Hemphill’s soul winning that garnered his commitment.
“He is a consistent and steady leader who believes and practices evangelism locally as well as worldwide,” Stewart said, adding his admiration for Hemphill’s record of executive service. “Experience goes a long way in leading a large organization like the SBC.”
Indeed, it is Hemphill’s extensive executive experience that has garnered the support of other Louisiana Baptist leaders.
Mike Holloway, pastor of Ouachita Baptist Church in West Monroe, said the downward trajectory of the Convention concerned him, citing in particular “the decline in baptisms and the growing lack of support for the Cooperative Program.”
“When I heard Dr. Ken Hemphill would be a candidate for president of our Convention I was ecstatic!” Holloway exclaimed.
Holloway was president of the LBC in 2008 and 2009.
“Dr. Hemphill has the experience we need to return to the days of fervent evangelism and missions with an emphasis on working together (CP) for the cause of the Kingdom of Christ,” he emphasized. “Join me in supporting this great author and visionary leader.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by Marvin Leleux, pastor of Springhill Baptist Church in Ringgold, who said, “Southern Baptists are facing one of the biggest challenges that we have ever faced before.
Clarifying that he does not endorse politicians or political parties from the pulpit, he said the issues are too critical to remain silent about the election of the SBC president.
“The battle that we are in the midst of has deep theological and doctrinal concerns that may affect our Convention, our denomination, in ways which cannot even be imagined,” he warned. “Ladies and gentlemen, we must adhere to Scripture in its proper context, and I feel with all of my heart and soul that Dr. Ken Hemphill does just that.
“His understanding of the Bible, in my humble opinion, is within the proper context. So I am extending my support, and the support of the church I pastor, to Dr. Hemphill because of seriousness of the issues at stake regarding theology and doctrine.”
LIST OF ENDORSERS
Josh Adams, pastor, First Baptist Church, Harrisonburg; Waylon Bailey, pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington, LBC president, 2012-2013, incumbent LBC Executive Board president; Marty Black, pastor, New Chapel Hill Baptist Church, West Monroe; Rick Brewer, president, Louisiana College; Chris Craig, pastor, First Baptist Church, Ruston; David Cranford, pastor, First Baptist Church, Ponchatoula; Nathan Davis, pastor, First Baptist Church, Coushatta; Matt Endris, pastor, Fairview Baptist Church, Coushatta; Mike Evans, pastor, Elwood Baptist Church, Forest Hill; David Goza, pastor, Jefferson Baptist Church, Baton Rouge; Carl Gulde, pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, Colfax; David Hankins, executive director, Louisiana Baptist Convention; Glen Harrigill, pastor, Riverside Baptist Church, Vidalia; Randy Harper, pastor, Bellaire Baptist Church, Bossier City; Tim Hisaw, pastor, Tioga First Baptist Church; Mike Holloway, pastor, Ouachita Baptist Church, West Monroe, LBC president, 2008-2009; Stewart Holloway, pastor, First Baptist Church, Pineville; Steve Horn, pastor, First Baptist Church, Lafayette, LBC president, 2014-2015; Darryl Hoychick, pastor, Trinity Baptist Church, Pineville; Steve James, pastor, Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles, LBC president, 2002-2003; Marvin Leleux, pastor, Springhill Baptist Church, Ringgold; Bill Robertson, Louisiana Baptists’ director of pastoral leadership, LBC president, 2006; Phillip Robertson, pastor, Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville and Alexandria, LBC president, 2004-2005; Jake Roudkovski, director, doctor of ministry program, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; Gevan Spinney, pastor, First Baptist Church, Haughton, LBC president, 2016-2017; Clark Stewart, pastor, New Zion Baptist Church, Covington; Kevin Stewart, pastor, McClendon Baptist Church, West Monroe; Carl Sullivan, retired pastor, Gray’s Creek, Denham Springs and Eddie Wren, pastor, First Baptist Church in Rayville, incumbent LBC president.
