By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
JONESBORO, La. (LBM) – Craig James, associational missions strategist with North Central Baptist Association, will be nominated for the office of second vice president with the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2024 annual meeting of church messengers.
Clark Palmer, pastor with Faith Baptist Church, Tioga, contacted the Baptist Message, Sept. 25, to share his intention to make the nomination.
The yearly gathering of Louisiana Baptists is scheduled to be held in the facilities of Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport, Nov. 12.
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
James, who is a member of Atlanta Baptist Church, has faithfully served the Lord and churches for decades, Palmer said.
“Over the years when I mention his name I have found that his former church members love him,” he said. “His fellow pastors love him. His family loves him. And recently the thought came into my mind, that I should nominate him for one of our LBC offices.
“If you know him you probably agree that he is a great representative of Louisiana Baptist pastors and leaders,” he continued. “He was surprised when I asked him if I could do this but agreed to allow me to nominate him as second vice-president when we gather in Shreveport in November.”
BY THE NUMBERS
The database of the Annual Church Profile shows that Atlanta Baptist gave 0.16 percent (sixteen hundredths) of its undesignated gifts through the Cooperative Program to support cooperative missions and ministries this year, amounting to $250 from undesignated receipts of $155,988. The congregation supported the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering with a gift of $545.
Atlanta Baptist averaged 86 in Sunday worship service and baptized five new believers this year.
CANDIDATE’S RESPONSE
James told the Baptist Message he was honored to be nominated.
“After having served Louisiana Baptist for 34 years, I am humbled to be nominated for second vice-president of LBC,” he said. “I have had the privilege to serve on Committee on Committee’s, the LCU Board of Trustees and the Resolution Committee. I love our Louisiana Baptist churches, pastors and convention. I would be honored to serve our LBC and most of all serve my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
PERSONAL DATA
James is a native of Verda and has served in the ministry since 1991.
He holds degrees from Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and the Caskey Divinity School (on the campus of NOBTS).
James has served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Tullos; East Jena Baptist Church, Jena; Don Avenue Baptist Church, Denham Springs; and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Jonesville. He because AMS for North Central Baptist Association in 2018.
James, and his wife, Tammy, have four children: Crystal, Matthew, Mahaley and Marissa.
