Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association presented Director of Missions Eddie DeHondt with an oversized ceremonial check for $5,000 during the NLBA’s 38th annual meeting Oct. 13.
SHREVEPORT – Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association presented Director of Missions Eddie DeHondt with an oversized ceremonial check for $5,000 during the NLBA’s 38th annual meeting Oct. 13.
The check was in appreciation for DeHondt’s dedicated commitment to God’s work in and through the association for the last 10 years, explained moderator Gevan Spinney, pastor of First Baptist Church of Haughton.
A mass choir of people from the 117 congregations in Caddo and Bossier parishes, directed by Eddie Sirven, minister of music at Trinity Heights Baptist Church in Shreveport, led in worship before a streamlined business session. John Bisagno, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Houston, followed with a keynote address on the Great Commission as presented from the perspective of the four gospel writers.
But it was obvious from the frequent and sustained applause that it was DeHondt’s night as much as it was a celebratory fellowship for NLBA churches.
In his report as written in the 2008 annual book of reports, DeHondt described the work of the association over the last 10 years.
“The churches and missions of the association have taught me by their actions, the strength of partnering together to accomplish more effectively what we cannot do by ourselves,” DeHondt wrote. “As I finish my tenth year, I am reminded of a conversation in my first year with a pastor of one of our largest churches. I asked, ‘What can I do to strengthen the association?’ He responded, ‘Help the churches find good pastors. If the churches have good pastors, the association will have strong churches and, in turn, the Association will be strengthened.’”
Among accomplishments of the last 10 years:
• Moved Association office into new debt-free facilities;
• Retired the debt at Camp Bethany;
• Two Spanish missions with their own buildings;
• The concept of Mission Incubators has expanded to two locations;
• World Changers continues to grow; 2008 was a “best so far” year in terms of numbers of on-site volunteers: 253 students and sponsors from eight states, who did construction work on 23 houses and one church.
• Partnered with LBC to provide a new student facility at LSU-S;
• Built an Inner-City Evangelism – ICE – team; and
• Initiated monthly fellowships for bivocational pastors, pastors, ministers of music, senior adult leaders, ministers of education, North Caddo chruches staff, and ministers/retirees prayer fellowship.
“This past year, I have witnessed a number of our churches call good godly YOUNG pastors,” DeHondt continued in his written report. “I am so grateful to have witnessed the passing of the baton and find hope in my heart for the future.”
NLBA’s annual book of reports included other noteworthy milestones:
Scott Teutsch’s “Mission/New Work report noted 22 missions ongoing in the association.
“Meadowview Incubator added a new mission – Living Water – with Joseph Johnson as pastor,” Teutsch wrote. “This was made possible when Christ Fellowship bought property and moved out of the Incubator. This is the first completed cycle of an incubator concept.”
The New Zion Incubator saw the start of a Spanish Bible study under the director of Carlos Meza, Teutsch added.
“Our mission churches are building new facilities and adding excitement to their congregations as they grow,” Teutsch wrote. “Cross Point, Bossier area, is on its way towards completion. They have had volunteers from several states come and assist them.
“Norris Ferry, in Shreveport, is getting plans together to start their building,” the committee chairman continued. “Beulah Land, South Bossier, is getting ready to build a new sanctuary/educational facility. New Beginnings, Bossier, is adding to their parking lot. …”
Teutsch said each church in the association hand a hand in the new starts, and he thanked them.
“Our vision into the future includes more new work development,” Teutsch continued. “As we are developing the missions we have, the fields of need are still present all around.” He listed seven places where new work is needed now.
In his report on music ministry in the association, Jerry Ables said 15 men showed an interest in ministering in music/worship on an interim /supply basis.
Camp Bethany reported 234 professions of faith and 278 other spiritual decisions this year, up to the time the annual report was printed, Camp Manager Robert Cole wrote.
Messengers approved a $722,000 budget for 2009, up from $651,520 for 2008. Officers for 2007-08 include Gevan Spinney, pastor of First Haughton, moderator; Billy Crosby, interim pastor at Elm Grove, vice-moderator; Brian Prucey, pastor of Grace Fellowship, clerk; Richard Hunter of First Shreveport, treasurer; and Richard Beeman of First Vivian, parliamentarian.