By Baptist Message staff
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Messengers will be challenged with a theme of “Connect” during the 2025 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, to be hosted Nov. 11 in the facilities of the Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexandria.
“Connect 25, the annual meeting of Louisiana Baptists, is a great time to connect,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “Some will come to connect with friends. Some new connections will be made. We will all connect around the preaching and singing. We will have the opportunity to connect with our cooperative missions and ministries. Make plans to come for the start of the Pastor’s Conference on Monday and stay to the end on Tuesday afternoon.”
LBC President David Goza, pastor with Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, echoed the thought, urging Louisiana Baptists to attend.
“It has been a privilege to serve as president of the LBC for the last two years,” he said. “With all the turmoil in the world and division in our country, it is my prayer that as we come together for this year’s convention and we will unite as a church family. We are the people of the truth. May God’s Word sound forth from our Convention and our churches.”
BUDGET PROPOSAL
As part of the business of the annual meeting, the Cooperative Program budget will be presented to messengers to consider for adoption. The 2026 financial plan is based on Cooperative Program contributions of $16,925,460, a decrease of $455,348, or 2.62 percent.
Cooperative Program projections are based on actual receipts from August 2024 through July 2025. The allocation formula for distributing CP gifts between Southern Baptist entities and Louisiana Baptist causes remains unchanged, 62.87 percent to support ministries in the state and 37.13 percent forwarded to fund national entities.
OTHER BUSINESS
Other highlights of the meeting will include messages by Horn, Goza and Michael Wood, pastor with First Baptist Church, West Monroe.
Additional items on the agenda include a Bible study led by Jared Wilson, professor with Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo.; reports by the Convention’s entities; other updates on state missions; consideration of motions and resolutions; and election of officers.
At press time, the only candidates whose name has been placed in nomination for LBC office is Kirk Jones, pastor with Fellowship Church, Gonzales, as president; Ben Hackler, pastor, First Baptist Church Sterlington, first vice president and Neil Treme, pastor with Glenmora Baptist Church, second vice-president.
NOTABLES
Gatherings for Nov. 10 include:
— Discipleship collaborative, 11:45 a.m., Riverfront Center, Area D/E
— Ladies fellowship lunch, 12 p.m., Hotel Bentley, Bayou Chicot Room
Gatherings for Nov. 11 include:
— NOBTS alumni dinner, 12 p.m., Riverfront Center, Area D/E
— Next Generation lunch, 12 p.m., First Baptist Church, Pineville
— Send Network Louisiana lunch, 12 p.m., Hotel Bentley, Grand Ballroom
