By Philip Timothy, Message Managing Editor
MANDEVILLE – Kenneth (Ken) Schroeder will be nominated for first vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention by Randy Harper, senior pastor of Bellaire Baptist Church, during this year’s LBC Annual Meeting according to a press release from his office.
Schroeder is the senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Mandeville where he has served for the past 21 years.
“Ken is a godly man…a man of prayer who loves Jesus and Louisiana Baptists,” said Harper. “I have had the pleasure of serving with him on the Louisiana College board of trustees and different committees where he has exhibited grace, patience and a keen understanding of the tasks asked of members.”
“He has served on numerous boards and committees in both his association and in the state convention,” continued Harper. “He is faithful to this convention and to whatever committee he has been asked to serve.” “Ken may be a little quiet; but when he speaks, people listen because what he has to say is thoughtful and to the point.”
Under Schroeder’s leadership, First Mandeville has undergone significant capital improvements projects, including a15,000-square-foot educational building, a 10,000-square-foot student center and renovations to provide new administrative offices.
Since 2000, capital improvements to the campus have totaled $4 million and the church has had no indebtedness since 2012.
In ministry for more than 30 years, Schroeder, who has pastored four churches, has also been heavily involved in church planting.
In 2006, he planted Iglesia Bautista Cristo Redentor in Mandeville. That same year, in partnership with the International Mission Board (IMB), he helped plant a church to reach the Z tribe in West Africa.
In 2013, he partnered with the IMB again in ongoing church planting projects to reach the W tribe in West Africa.
“God is definitely a part of Ken’s life and ministry,” stated Harper’s release. “His church is a good, solid church that is continually working to further His Kingdom and I believe that is due in large part to Ken’s good, steady leadership. I believe he is imminently qualified and will be a huge asset to the incoming new president.”
Schroeder, who earned a B.S. degree in education from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas in 1998, earned his M.Div. in 1985 and his D.Min in 1989 from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Gayla Maxine Wheeler and the couple has four children and three grandchildren.