By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — Chad Gilbert, pastor of the First Baptist Church, New Orleans, will be nominated for vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2022 annual meeting.
Steve James, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles, notified the Baptist Message, Oct. 10, of his intention to make the nomination because Gilbert “is a genuine Christ follower, a man of devotion, integrity, and wisdom.”
The LBC annual meeting is scheduled to be held in the facilities of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, Nov. 15.
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
James said he has known Gilbert for several years but that they worked closely together when Gilbert joined the staff at Trinity.
He said he was able to observe Gilbert’s leadership strengths and servant’s heart especially in the aftermath of Hurricanes Laura and Delta, when Trinity became a hub of ministry to hurricane survivors, disaster relief workers and law enforcement personnel.
“Chad did a great job in reaching out to the community,” James told the Baptist Message. “He was our point person here and coordinated all the things that took place, from supplies coming in … to where feeding was … to handling calls … to donations that were made … to directing where disaster relief would stay.
“I just got to see his administrative ability, and really, really, appreciated it,” James shared.
BY THE NUMBERS
The database of the Annual Church Profile shows that under Gilbert’s leadership the First Baptist Church, New Orleans, has increased its support of cooperative missions and ministries, contributing 7.0 percent of undesignated receipts, or nearly $152,219 of $2,185,582 in 2022, through the Cooperative Program (up from 3.12 percent, or $56,416, in 2021 and 1.93 percent, or $38,063 in 2020, the year before he arrived at FBCNO).
First New Orleans contributed $23,102 to the New Orleans Baptist Association, or 1.06 percent of undesignated receipts in 2022. The congregation also gifted $1,854 in 2022 to the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Mission Offering, as well as $4,818 to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and another $16,418 to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
Regarding attendance, FBCNO averaged 307 for in[1]person worship and another 85 online; and baptized 8 new believers.
CANDIDATE’S RESPONSE
“I am grateful to serve the Lord as a local church pastor, and to the extent that the LBC can help strengthen local churches and pastors, I am honored to serve on a state level,’’ Gilbert shared with the Baptist Message. “My greatest desire for Southern Baptist churches in our state is to cultivate partnerships in bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth in concert with the IMB. When we labor together to make disciples of all nations, we are at our finest,” he said.
PERSONAL DATA
Gilbert earned the Master of Divinity from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Christian University (formerly Louisiana College).
He has served as senior pastor of First Baptist New Orleans (2021-present), as well as Edgewater Baptist Church, New Orleans (2008- 2018).
Prior to joining FBCNO, he was the associate pastor of community and missions with Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles (2018-2020).
Gilbert has been active in denominational service, as a member of various LBC committees as well as serving on the administrative committee of the New Orleans Baptist Association. He is a board member for Global Maritime Ministries, New Orleans; Crossroads (formerly Crossroads NOLA), New Orleans; and New Orleans Baptist Ministries.
He and his wife Cole have been married for 19 years and have four children: Ava, Grayson, Brogan, and Livy.
FINAL THOUGHTS
“Chad is a man of God. He loves the word of God and shares the word of God very simply, very plainly,” James emphasized. “I believe he will bring a whole new dynamic in this LBC leadership role. Folks look at him and see this is the kind of guy we would like to lead us.”
