By Staff, Baptist Message
ALEXANDRIA – History could be made at the upcoming Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 14-15, with the possible election of the first Hispanic to serve as second vice president of Louisiana Baptists.
Carlos Meza, pastor of Iglesia Bautista del Calvario (Calvary Baptist Church) in Shreveport, is expected to be nominated for the office by Lane Moore, director of missions for the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association. Meza is the only candidate announced for the office.
“If elected, I would be honored to serve as second vice president because it would afford me greater opportunities to connect with the large segment of Hispanics and other minorities in the northwest Louisiana area,” Meza shared with the Baptist Message. “This would open more opportunities to lead many to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“I am excited and delighted to be considered for serving with the second-to-none leadership team of our Louisiana Baptist Convention,” he added.
Moore said Meza is one of the most passionate soul winners in the state.
“You cannot be around Carlos Meza long before the conversation turns toward sharing Christ with others,” Moore said.
“Carlos Meza also is a leader in our association in the area of ethnic work,” he told the Baptist Message.
“His wisdom and understanding of the Hispanic culture and people make him a valuable resource in Southern Baptist life, not only locally but across Louisiana and the Southern Baptist Convention,” Moore continued. “Carlos and his wife Lupe have been longtime members of First Baptist Bossier and he has been a faithful pastor to several fellowships that are active in our Association.
“This is why I am going to nominate Carlos Meza as second vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention,” Moore offered.
According to Louisiana Baptist records, Meza started Iglesia Bautista Del Calvario in 2006. The church gives 10 percent of its undesignated receipts through the Cooperative Program to support Southern Baptist causes in the state, North America and throughout the world. Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport is the sponsor of Meza’s church.
Meza has baptized seven people in 2016 at his church, which averages 45 in weekly worship attendance, and Meza said several more new believers are schedule for baptism in the weeks ahead.
In addition to pastoring his church, Meza’s bio indicates he serves on staff as a chaplain for various hospitals in the Shreveport-Bossier City area. Prior to being pastor of Iglesia Bautista Del Calvario, Meza was an evangelist and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Bossier City and spent time serving in the U.S. Air Force.
Born in San Antonio, Texas, Meza moved to Louisiana in 1982. Meza and his wife, Lupita, have five children and nine grandchildren.
