By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
STERLINGTON, La. (LBM) – Ben Hackler, pastor with First Baptist Church, Sterlington, will be nominated for the office of first vice president with the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2025 annual meeting of church messengers.
James Doughty, pastor with First Baptist Church, Monroe, shared with the Baptist Message, Oct. 22, his intention to make the nomination.
The yearly gathering of Louisiana Baptists is scheduled to be held in the facilities of the Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexandria, Nov. 11.
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
Doughty called Hackler a great friend, encourager and source of wisdom.
“I have had an up-close view of all the things the Lord is doing through Ben at First Sterlington,” Doughty said. “God had used his leadership and vision to build a growing vibrant church. He deeply cares for his people and his community and it’s evident. I know that Ben will bring this same leadership and vision to Louisiana Baptists.”
BY THE NUMBERS
The database of the Annual Church Profile shows that FBCS gave 5.8 percent of its undesignated gifts through the Cooperative Program to support cooperative missions and ministries this year, amounting to $39,022 from undesignated receipts of $662,649.
FBCS averaged 364 in Sunday worship service and baptized 32 new believers this year.
CANDIDATE’S RESPONSE
Hackler told the Baptist Message that he is humbled to be considered for the role of first vice president.
“I have been honored to serve on the LBC executive board and on numerous teams within my local association,” he said. “I am grateful for the chance to serve in this capacity and look forward to the opportunity to help champion the work of Louisiana Baptists in the upcoming year.”
PERSONAL DATA
Hackler is a native of Alexandria and holds degrees from Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University and a master’s degree from the Caskey School of Divinity when it was housed at LC.
He has been pastor with FBCS since 2014. Before that, he served as youth pastor with First Baptist Church, Woodworth (now Calvary Baptist Church, Woodworth), Longview Baptist Church, Deville, East Leesville Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church, Schwartz.
Hackler and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 21 years and have three children, Abby, 19, Madison, 17 and Jaxon, 13.
