By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Jacob Crawford is on a mission to help Louisiana Baptists meet a goal of expanding God’s Kingdom in the state by 1 percent over the next decade.
As a new Send Network Louisiana church planting strategist, Crawford is excited about how planting 231 new churches by 2033 could reap eternal fruit.
“I really believe we can see a movement take place in our state as people come to know Jesus and more disciples are made and churches are planted across the state,” Crawford told Baptist Message. “Our heart is Louisiana. We want to see Louisiana come to Christ.
“Louisiana Baptists have continually blessed my family and the churches that we planted over the years. We have experienced first-hand the amazing work of God that results from the prayer, partnership, and participation of Louisiana Baptists. This is a wonderful opportunity to serve Louisiana Baptists and seek to have a Kingdom impact in the state.”
A veteran church planter for 18 years, Crawford started Life Point Community Church, Mansura (2006-2020). During that time, he saw the church grow from 10 to over 250 and baptize 435.
Through the years, he served in a variety of other ministerial roles: youth pastor with Holloway Baptist Church, Deville (2002-2004); interim pastor of multiple churches in central Louisiana (2004-2006); director of missions with Louisiana Baptist Association (2017-2020); and director with City Life NOLA and pastor with City Life Church, New Orleans (2020-present). He will continue to serve with City Life NOLA and City Life Church on a more limited basis.
A native of Deville, Crawford holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University); a master’s degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, Lynchburg, Va.; and a doctorate in educational ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Crawford and his wife, Allyson, have two children, Alyvia and Avynleigh.
James Jenkins, director of the Louisiana Baptist missions and ministry team, said Crawford has“hit the ground running” since he assumed his new role May 1.
“Jacob is almost a perfect fit with his experience with the Louisiana Baptist Convention as a pastor, associational missionary and church planter. He has a network of relationships all over Louisiana and I’m looking forward to him coming in very quickly to begin to help with the process of planting more churches and reaching more people in the state for Christ.”
SEND NETWORK LOUISIANA PARTNERSHIP
Crawford said he is looking forward to help furthering the Send Network Louisiana, a partnership between the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Louisiana Baptist Convention.
The partnership, which went into effect Aug. 1, 2023, has a goal to expand God’s Kingdom in Louisiana by one percent (about 28,000) in a decade. Researchers estimate that 60 percent of 4,648,794 Louisianans are lost (about 2,789,276). If successful, 28,875 Louisianans will be added to the Kingdom through 231 new churches planted in the state by 2033 (based on each reaching 125 people with the Gospel). These salvations will be in addition to those recorded by already established Louisiana Baptist congregations.
This partnership includes four years of monthly supplements for Send Network church plants; five years of Send Network Planter Care (the North American Mission Board church planter spiritual and emotional care system); access to NAMB start-up grants and a year of free health insurance; and a $1,000 retirement benefit through GuideStone for planters and their families.
“Please pray that God would raise up an army of disciple makers and that Louisiana would be transformed by Jesus,” Crawford requested.
OTHER CHANGES
The addition of Crawford is the latest change to the missions and ministry team.
Recently, Louisiana Baptist Men’s Ministry and Disaster Relief Strategist Stan Statham absorbed compassion ministry responsibilities. Jeff Cook, who retired in February, previously served in that role.
“Compassion relief ministries focus on meeting physical needs, which opens the door for Gospel conversations,” Statham said. “Those who find themselves in a crisis often ask spiritual questions.”
Jenkins is excited about the possibilities ahead because of the move.
“As we enter the Send Louisiana partnership, this has allowed us to realign what we do so that we are more in tune with our national agencies,” Jenkins said. “What we have done is to shift what we have done in compassion ministry under Stan Statham who relates to Send Relief. We will have Send Relief, Disaster Relief and compassion relief all under one umbrella.”
