By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – For the past 16 years, Jeff Ingram has traveled the state helping Louisiana Baptist congregations discover how to better carry out the God-given mandate to make disciples.
Ingram, who is set to retire June 30 from the Evangelism and Church Grown team, told the Baptist Message he is thankful for having had the opportunity “to serve the churches.”
“I really value the relationships I’ve had through the years with our LBC staff, but also with associational mission strategists, pastors, church staff and lay leaders,” he said. “Just ‘thank you’ for the opportunity to get to know you, to work with you and to see how God is working through Louisiana Baptists to reach and minister to the people in their communities.”
CALLED TO SERVE
Ingram grew up in a home where church attendance was a priority, but during his teen years he became less engaged. After he graduated high school and began attending the University of South Alabama, he felt the need to join the Baptist Student Union and attend Spring Hill Baptist Church, Mobile, Alabama, he said.
However, it was during a revival service at Agricola Baptist Church, Lucedale, Mississippi, that Ingram made his relationship with Christ personal.
During the next 39 years, Ingram devoted himself to vocational Christian ministry and served the Lord through several congregations: youth minister, Agricola Baptist (1984-1986); minister of youth, First Baptist Church, Sanford, Florida (1986-1988); minister of education, youth minister, children’s minister and senior adult minister, First Baptist Church, Wiggins, Mississippi (1988-1996); minister of education, Highland Baptist Church, Vicksburg, Mississippi (1996-2000); and minister of adults, First Baptist Church, Brandon, Mississippi (2000-2008).
In 2008, Ingram accepted the call to join Louisiana Baptists as the adult ministry strategist. Ten years later, he took on the added role of church administration strategist.
During his time on the state mission services team, Ingram served churches through coordinating Sunday school and discipleship training events that ranged from one-to-one meetings to large group events with several hundred attendees.
“Over these past 16 years that I’ve been here I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the different churches around the state,” Ingram said. “Louisiana is a very interesting state with great diversity. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the pastors and the church staff and the lay leaders, leading adult Sunday school meetings around the state and meeting so many different people. That’s been a real joy and a fun part of this position. Also, assisting churches with senior adult ministry and church administration topics has been rewarding.
“I also am certainly thankful for the people here in the Baptist Building that I’ve worked with, including Keith Manuel, Catherine Hall and the many others who have given their support all these years.”
WORDS OF GRATITUDE
“Jeff Ingram embodies the mission of the Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention to seek the lost, strengthen churches and support our cooperative missions and ministries,” Louisiana Baptist
Executive Director Steve Horn said. “Whether he was volunteering on a mission trip, providing consultation to a local church or fulfilling his primary role on the Evangelism and Church Growth team, Jeff has always been willing to say ‘yes.’
“We are going to miss his easy-going personality, dry sense of humor and calm demeanor,” he continued. “We pray the very best for Jeff and (his wife) Suzanne as they transition into retirement and find God’s calling in this new season.”
Louisiana Baptist Evangelism and Church Growth team Leader Keith Manuel added his appreciation for Ingram’s service to churches.
“I am thankful for Dr. Ingram’s unwavering dedication and tireless efforts to partner with and strengthen our Baptist churches throughout Louisiana,” he said. “His commitment to reaching and discipling people, particularly senior adults, has profoundly impacted countless lives. Our team is deeply grateful for his compassionate leadership and inspiring service. We pray the days ahead are just as fruitful for Jeff and Suzanne as they transition into this new phase of life.”
PRESSING ON
Moving forward, Ingram anticipates spending more time with Suzanne as they move to the Jackson, Mississippi, area, and traveling to see their son, Lance, daughter-in-law, Anna, and granddaughter, Maggie, who reside in Memphis, Tennessee.
“I’ve enjoyed my time in Louisiana, but I just felt like it’s time for me to slow down a little bit,” he said. “This fall after we get settled, I’d love to do some supply work and perhaps even do some interims in churches.
“I’m very thankful for my wife and the support she’s given me through the years of our marriage and what she’s done in my ministry,” he continued. “Her love and support have been a key part in helping me with my work through the LBC and with churches in Mississippi.”
