By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – During the Sept. 24 general session of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board, LBC Executive Director Steve Horn shared how Louisiana Baptists have continued reaching others for Christ.
FULFILLING THE GOSPEL
Horn said that various ministries are helping fulfill Louisiana Baptists’ ministry purposes in three ways: seeking the lost, strengthening churches and supporting cooperative missions and ministries. In his report, he invited four individuals to share how Louisiana Baptists are fulfilling their mission through various ministries.
Breakaway Camp
Kevin Roberts, pastor with Trinity Baptist Church, Pineville, shared how his son, Micah, turned to Christ during Breakaway Camp this summer at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center.
Roberts was overcome with emotion as he described how his older son, Noah, led his brother to a relationship with Jesus.
“My wife and I were rejoicing,” Roberts said. “We knew that something had happened, something had taken place that night, and God had gotten a hold of his heart.
“But Micah wasn’t the only one,” he said. “We ended up having three other teenagers from our youth group that committed their lives to the Lord, and later that month, in the month of July, we were able to baptize all four of them at our church. And so, we praise the Lord for the work of Breakaway Camp and for the work of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and your employees.”
Champions Camp
Julie Johnston shared about the eternal impact of Champions Camp, held Sept. 6-8 at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center. This year’s camp drew 23 individuals with special needs.
Julie and her husband, John, first attended in 2018 with their son, Zac. But even though Zac passed away in 2021, the couple has remained committed to the camp’s mission.
She said the camp is a great tool to reach not just the campers but their families.
“So (have a ministry for those with special needs and their families) in your churches and let me tell you what will happen,” she said. “Your blessing will be so much more if you make one thing accessible for one person. It makes a way for people to have access to Jesus.”
GOLA VBS
Isabella McClendon, a student with Louisiana Christian University, recounted her recent experience as a team member with GOLA VBS, an effort that combines the missionary zeal of the state’s Baptist Collegiate Ministries with a strategic need of Vacation Bible Schools for churches in Louisiana and beyond that might not otherwise be able to resource a VBS.
McClendon, who served as a missionary to Montana this summer, said the children experienced joy after learning about Jesus. Her team also ministered to college students and participated in street evangelism.
Through that experience, McClendon stepped out of her comfort zone. While taking part in street evangelism, McClendon and her fellow team members embraced Galatians 1:10, which asks, “Do I seek the approval of God or man?”
“It didn’t matter how many people blew us off or didn’t want to talk about it,” she said. “What really mattered to us was that we got to have conversations where we sat on the curb for an hour and were able to talk about the Gospel and share with people who were hurt, broken and confused about God. I learned to articulate my faith so much better, take that back to college with me and just have these conversations with students at my own campus.”
Send Network Louisiana
Horn noted that the partnership with Send Network Louisiana began in August 2023, and for the reporting period of April-July 2024, network planters recorded 117 salvations, 72 baptisms, 1,892 Gospel conversations and 1,012 persons in intentional discipleship activity.
He added that 42 churches are supporting a church plant and 28 of those have chosen to be a sending church.
Matt Tyson, pastor with 3:18 Church, Shreveport, (named for Ephesians 3:18) shared how his church is reaching the “marginalized and unseen.” He said they have drug dealers, prostitutes, mentally ill individuals and ex-convicts who are among the 85 to 115 who attend Saturday evening services. Tyson added that 60 people have been discipled and 20 new converts have been baptized.
He said Louisiana Baptists are part of the story of 3:18 Church because of their continued giving through the Cooperative Program.
“Because of your support, you’re part of this story,” he said. “As we move along, the unreached people group of the unseen are everywhere. They’re all over our city. I can go to new cities as I travel and see the unseen in those cities. And so, they’re all around us in our communities. They’re all around us in our cities. They’re all around us in our nation, and nowhere else will they find the joy of the love of Jesus.”
NEW STAFF ADDITIONS
Horn shared with board members that several team members have been added to the state missions services staff since its spring meeting. These are:
— Ashley Lee, assistant accountant, the business/information services team;
— Jennifer Nolan, assistant food service manager, Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center;
— Jacob Crawford, church planting strategist, missions and ministry team;
— Lexi Hubbard, graphic associate/digital content coordinator, communications team;
— Lisa Broussard, associate camp director, Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center;
— Emily Slay, production coordinator, communications team;
— Kevin Ulmer, evangelism strategist, evangelism and church growth team;
— Ella “Ellie” Inman, association Baptist Collegiate Ministries director, McNeese State University;
— Zander Kirkland, maintenance assistant, Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center; and
— Jeremy Woodall, BCM director in New Orleans.
EVALUATING THE FUTURE
Horn closed his report by sharing foundational, guiding Scripture passages that have been anchor points in his life for many years: Colossians 2:6, Psalm 71:18 and Revelation 19:6.
He noted that Revelation 19:6 centers him in His walk with Christ, noting that the verse emphasizes that God reigns in all circumstances.
“No matter what happens in culture, He reigns,” he said. “No matter what happens in the Southern Baptist Convention that I cannot control, He reigns. No matter what happens on November 5, He reigns.”
Horn emphasized it is impossible to worry and worship at the same time. So when he begins to worry, Horn remembers he needs to worship the Lord a little more.
“This is how I wish to lead,” he said. “This is how I want our pastors to lead. This is how I want our churches to lead.
“Let us be known for our walk, our witness and our worship,” he continued. “And everything else will take care of itself.”
