Submitted by philip on
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
NEW IBERIA – David Denton, pastor of Highland Baptist Church in New Iberia, will be nominated for the office of first vice-president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during this year’s LBC’s annual meeting according to Lindsey Burns, pastor of First Baptist Church, DeRidder.
Denton confimed to the Baptist Message the expected nomination.
Denton said he welcomes the opportunity to serve alongside potential president First Baptist Lafayette Pastor Steve Horn, who is the only candidate, thus far, who has announced he will allow his nomination for LBC president.
Besides being members in the same association and serving in churches about 30 minutes apart, both men have served at Highland Baptist. Horn was pastor of the church before Denton came on board in April 2006. Also, Horn’s mother-in-law and father-in-law are members of Highland Baptist.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve the Louisiana Baptist Convention,” said Denton, the only announced candidate for first vice-president. “Steve Horn and I have known each other for a long time and I, if we are elected, will help him implement whatever he has planned.”
Prior to Highland Baptist, Denton was pastor at First Baptist Church Lake Arthur and New Prospect Baptist Church in Dry Prong.
Highland Baptist gives 11.5 percent to the Cooperative Program, the joint giving effort by Southern Baptist churches that supports missions causes in Louisiana, North America and throughout the world.
The church operates Highland Baptist Christian School, sponsors a Hispanic church on its property, participates in numerous mission trips and baptized 23 people in 2012.
“We just understand the importance of supporting missions here and around the world,” Denton said. “We have always been a mission-supporting church that is very generous. Our church understands the importance of reaching their neighbors and beyond.”
Born in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Denton moved with his family to Louisiana in 1980.
He holds degrees from Louisiana College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Denton and his wife, Deanne, have three daughters, Caroline, Anna and Sarah, and one son, Nate.
Denton has served in various committees and state boards, including the Executive Board from 2011 to 2014, Evangeline Baptist Association vice moderator in 2013 and chairperson of the Sunday School discipleship and small groups team of the President’s 2020 Commission.