By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
BATON ROUGE (LBM) – Midway through a seven-year initiative to reach the state with the Gospel by 2020, Louisiana Baptists are making progress to reach every generation and every people group in Louisiana, according to state convention officials.
During the 2017 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting Nov. 13-14, messengers will have the chance to learn about the progress that has been made and also what still is needed to be done in order to complete the goals of the President’s 2020 Commission Report, released in 2013.
“Of the 10 Action Steps, or KAIROS (Key Actions In Reaching Our State), we’ve seen solid progress in some areas and disappointments in others,” Louisiana Baptists Executive Director David Hankins said. “I’ve asked our leadership team to fine tune several of the steps in order for us to move towards the goals established by the commission.”
Hankins will share more about the update during the Monday evening session of the annual meeting, which will take place at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge.
Approved by messengers at the 2013 Louisiana Baptist Convention annual meeting, the 2020 initiative, led by then LBC President Waylon Bailey, pastor of First Baptist Church in Covington, seeks to reach every generation and every people group in Louisiana with the Gospel by the year 2020 through the avenues of congregational revitalization, church planting, communications and collaboration.
The 2020 recommendations were crafted collaboratively by a commission of 400 Louisiana Baptist leaders, staff members and laypeople, working in 20 subcommittees of 20 members each.
LEANER BUDGET
Messengers also will vote on the leanest Cooperative Program budget in 20 years.
Approved during the Executive Board’s Sept. 26 meeting at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth, the 2018 financial plan is based on expected Cooperative Program contributions of $19,507,905, a decrease of $535,426. Cooperative Program projections are based on actual receipts from August 2016 thru July 2017.
The allocation formula for distributing Cooperative Program gifts between the Southern Baptist Convention and Louisiana Baptist causes remains unchanged, with 63.26 percent supporting ministries in the state and 36.74 percent forwarded to fund national entities.
This equates to $12,340,701 in Cooperative Program funds for Louisiana Baptist missions, a decrease of $338,710 from 2017.
OTHER BUSINESS
The update on the 2020 Report and the budget are just two of a number of important items which will be addressed during this year’s annual meeting.
Highlights for Monday will include a Bible study by GuideStone Financial Resources President O.S. Hawkins and a special presentation by Hankins and LBC President Gevan Spinney focusing on the Harvest, a three-year evangelism emphasis, which culminates in 2018, to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in the state.
The bulk of the Convention’s business will take place on Tuesday.
During the final day of the meeting there will be reports by the convention’s entities; updates on church planting, women’s missions and ministries and Baptist Collegiate Ministries; messages by John Fream, pastor of Cypress Baptist Church in Benton, and Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines; and, approval of motions and the election of officers.
“I am looking forward to gathering together as Louisiana Baptist to focus our heart on those who have not heard the Gospel,” said Spinney, pastor of First Baptist Haughton. “It is easy to keep our eyes focused on our congregations and the ministry tasks, but just as Jesus reminded his disciples to lift up your eyes we need to be reminded to do the same.”
At press time, Eddie Wren, pastor of First Baptist Church in Rayville, is the only known candidate whose name will be placed in nomination for the office of LBC president.
Likewise, Jay Johnston is the only known candidate expected to be nominated for first vice president. Michael Evans is the sole candidate as well for second vice president.
Johnston is an associate pastor of First Baptist Church in Covington and Evans is pastor of Elwood Baptist Church in Forest Hill.
“I encourage every church to elect and send messengers,” Hankins said.” We’ll pray, vote, be inspired and prepare ourselves for what I pray will be an effective year of ministry, even in these challenging times.”
NOTABLES
Gatherings for Nov. 13 include:
- Minister of Missions Roundtable, 4-5:15 p.m., Hope Building, Istrouma Baptist Church
- Asian Fellowship, 4-5:15 p.m., Nagoya restaurant, 3202 Sherwood Forest Blvd., Baton Rouge
- African-American Meet and Greet, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Bain Fellowship Hall, Istrouma Baptist Church
- New Church Reception, 4:45-5:15 p.m., Chapel, Istrouma Baptist Church
- Louisiana College Reception, Following Monday evening session, Student Center, Istrouma Baptist Church
Gatherings for Nov. 14 include:
- Discover Church Planting Breakfast, 7 a.m., Frank’s restaurant, 17425 Airline Hwy., Baton Rouge
- Haiti Shout Breakfast, 7 a.m., Chapel, Istrouma Baptist Church
- Church Planting Luncheon, noon, Bain Fellowship Hall, Istrouma Baptist Church
- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Alumni Luncheon, noon, Hope Building Room 201, Istrouma Baptist Church
- Retiree/Bi-vocational Luncheon, Chapel, Istrouma Baptist Church
- African-American Meet and Greet, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Bain Fellowship Hall, Istrouma Baptist Church
- New Church Reception, 4:45-5:15 p.m., Chapel, Istrouma Baptist Church
- Louisiana College Reception, Following Monday evening session, Student Center, Istrouma Baptist Church
Gatherings for Nov. 14 include:
- Discover Church Planting Breakfast, 7 a.m., Frank’s restaurant, 17425 Airline Hwy., Baton Rouge
- Haiti Shout Breakfast, 7 a.m., Chapel, Istrouma Baptist Church
- Church Planting Luncheon, noon, Bain Fellowship Hall, Istrouma Baptist Church
- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Alumni Luncheon, noon, Hope Building Room 201, Istrouma Baptist Church
- Retiree/Bi-vocational Luncheon, Chapel, Istrouma Baptist Church
