By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists enjoyed fellowship and worship during the 2025 LBC Annual Meeting, Nov. 11, hosted by the Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexandria.
BUDGET APPROVED
Messengers approved the 2026 financial plan, 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.
MOTIONS
Messengers considered two motions.
A motion by Keith Sheridan, a messenger from First Baptist Church, Franklinton, presented a motion to amend bylaw Article 3, Section 6 concerning the committee on resolutions by adding the sentence “recommended resolutions may not be amended and must be adopted by a two-thirds vote.” The motion was referred to the Executive Board, who will report its findings during the 2026 Annual Meeting.
A motion had been made during the 2024 LBC Annual Meeting by messenger Lewis Richerson, pastor with Woodlawn Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, which asked messengers to amend Article 6, Section 5 of the Articles of Incorporation to affirm the office of pastor as exclusive to men was defeated by messengers. The motion then was referred to the Executive Board for further deliberation and consideration. During the 2025 LBC Annual Meeting Executive Board Chairman Tim Williams, pastor with Williams Boulevard Baptist Church, Kenner, said the EB declined to bring forward the motion because the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 already speaks to the theological issue and the Articles of Incorporation have a clear process with dealing with issues of cooperation or concern. The 2025 messengers subsequently supported the Executive Board’s recommendation.
RESOLUTIONS
Messengers affirmed five resolutions: expression of appreciation for all who made the 2025 Annual Meeting possible; encouragement for churches to support Louisiana Christian University; celebrating the exit of Planned Parenthood from Louisiana; support for biblical marriage by requesting the government to remove the marriage penalty from the financial safety net it provides; and equal protection for pre-born children.
LAGNIAPPPE
The final messenger count for the 2025 Annual Meeting was 582, an increase from the 451 who registered for the 2024 Annual Meeting at Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport.
The 2026 LBC Annual Meeting is scheduled for Nov. 10 and will be hosted by Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles. The convention sermon will be preached by Chris Craig, pastor with First Baptist Church, Ruston. The alternate preacher will be Stewart Holloway, pastor with First Baptist Church, Pineville. The worship leader will be Brian Watson, worship pastor with First Baptist Church, Lafayette.
The 2027 LBC Annual Meeting will be hosted by Temple Baptist Church, Ruston.
OFFICERS ELECTED
Kirk Jones, pastor with Fellowship Church, Prairieville, was elected president. Ben Hackler, pastor with First Baptist Church, Sterlington, was elected first vice-president, and Neil Treme, pastor with Glenmora Baptist Church was elected second-vice president.
All three men were given individual votes of acclamation by the Convention – a single ballot cast by the LBC executive director in view of no opposition to any of the candidates.
