By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
MONROE, La. (LBM) – David Jeffreys, a long-time minister and most recently Louisiana Christian University administrator, will succeed Perry Hancock, effective Feb. 16, as president and chief executive officer of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries.
Jeffreys told the Baptist Message he is excited about leading a time-honored institution that has impacted so many families.
“The Children’s Home has always been one of those ministries where you get to do some incredible things and to really reach out and help people in their time of need with physical and emotional support, but also with the Gospel,” Jeffreys said.
SAVED, CALLED
A native of New Iberia, Jeffreys turned to Jesus at 14 years old while attending a youth camp at
Acadian Baptist Center, Eunice. His parents and other members with Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia, continued to disciple him until he left to attend Louisiana College (now LCU) in 1988.
During his sophomore year, while working as a summer camp counselor at Dry Creek Baptist Camp, Jeffreys responded to the Holy Spirit’s call for him to pursue vocational ministry, he said, noting that LCU Professor Welby Bozeman encouraged him to submit his resume to churches.
“I shared my call and believed I had to finish seminary to serve in a church,” Jeffreys said. “And then he just looked at me, held his Bible up and said, ‘Well, show me where it says in the Bible that you need to wait if God’s calling you.’”
Soon after, Jeffreys landed a youth internship for the school year with First Baptist Church, Pineville, and for the next 36 years, he served with local churches: First Baptist Church, Pitkin (1990-91); Old Zion Hill Baptist Church, Albany (1992-1995); First Baptist Church, Magnolia, Miss. (1995-2002); and Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia (2002-2021).
‘BITTERSWEET’ MOMENT
Jeffreys, who along with his wife, Stephanie, graduated from Louisiana College in the early 90’s, said he has mixed emotions about leaving his alma mater.
He served a six-year term on the school’s board of trustees (2014-2020) and returned in 2022 to serve as executive vice president. During his time as a staff member with the school, Jeffreys has served as vice president of denominational and church relations (June 2025-Feb. 2026), acting president (March 2024-May 2025) and executive vice president and chief operating officer (January 2022- March 2024).
“It’s always bittersweet when you have invested so many years of service in one place,” he said. “I definitely will miss the relationships I have built with faculty, staff and students.
“It’s been uplifting to watch students for a full four-year cycle, as I was able to see them come in as freshmen and leave as seniors,” he added. “I saw the difference that God makes in their lives and pray they go out and do greater things.”
GOD’S PLAN
It was while pursuing his master’s degree in Christian education and a doctorate with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, that he first developed a friendship with Hancock, Jeffreys said. Their relationship grew when Highland Baptist Church participated in various ministry opportunities offered by LBCHFM.
Consequently, when he learned he was being considered to follow Hancock, Jeffreys said, he was humbled at the chance to continue Hancock’s legacy.
“He’s been a mentor to me in ministry and just as a friend for 30-something years now,” he said. “He has done an amazing job of leading the Children’s Home over 22 years.
“Dr. Hancock has led and expanded the Children’s Home to do many different ministries, and I can’t be Dr. Hancock,” he continued. “I’ve been around long enough to realize I can only be me.
“But I can definitely follow in the footsteps of someone who’s left the ministry in such incredible shape,” Jeffreys added. “I just pray that God will continue to help the Children’s Home to grow and to continue to have a Gospel impact. I know that’s Dr. Hancock’s prayer and his hope as well.”
PREPARED TO SERVE
Jeffreys and his wife, Stephanie, have four children, two who are adopted: Aaron (wife, Emily and daughter, Amelia), Gary (wife, Peyton and daughter, Remi), Kyle and Ellie. Their family reflects an emphasis on adoption that is a large part of the Children’s Home’s mission.
LBCHFM’s Connect1Child initiative focuses on foster care, adoption and supporting families, grounded in the Matthew 25:40 and James 1:27 that mandate Christ followers to care for vulnerable children. It also connects Louisiana Baptist churches with foster children to provide hope, resources and community-based support for families.
“Unfortunately, we have an incredible number of children just in Louisiana who are in the foster care system and are needing a home,” Jeffreys said. “We help meet this need through on-campus care, as well as equipping families within Louisiana Baptist churches to be foster parents. The way you meet such an overwhelming need is just one person at a time.”
GOD-SIZED VISION
During his startup, Jeffreys plans to build relationships with LBCHFM staff and residents and churches before finalizing a plan to forward.
“My goal is to come in and to learn the organization from the inside out,” he said. “We have roughly 90 full- and part-time people who work for the Children’s Home on our Monroe campus and across the state of Louisiana. I will continue those external relationships with our churches in the Louisiana Baptist Convention and those who support the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.
“I’m someone who follows the Henry Blackaby approach to servant leadership – see where God is at work and join Him there,” he said. “I can have all the greatest and grandest plans in my own mind and my own vision for the Children’s Home, but if it’s not from God, then it’s not going to work.”
Jeffreys said that as he discerns those next steps, he will encourage churches to visit the campus and learn more about the entity’s ministries. Tours of the campus and opportunities to work in the compassion center are among the options available.
“There’s so much more to the Children’s Home than most people realize,” he said. “Many people love the Children’s Home and have a passion for what we do. I would love for more groups to come and experience first-hand what we’re all about. Come visit us and be the hands and feet of Christ. We have a large network of people who love and support the Children’s Home, and we want to continue to see that grow.”
PRAYERS NEEDED
Jeffreys requested Louisiana Baptists to pray for his family as they make the transition.
“We need prayers to get moved in, establish relationships within the Children’s Home and out in the community, for God’s favor and direction, and find a new church home.”
WORDS OF APPRECIATION
Perry Hancock, who will officially step down as LBCHFM president and CEO on Feb. 27, was enthused about the naming of Jeffreys as his successor.
“Having known Dr. Jeffreys for many years, we joyfully celebrate his election as the new president of LBCH&FM. With great expectation, we look forward to seeing how God will bless and use his leadership in the days ahead to guide and strengthen this wonderful ministry.”
Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn echoed Hancock’s praise.
“Today is a great day for Louisiana Baptists,” Horn said in a statement to the Baptist Message. “The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries has enjoyed exceptional leadership, most recently with Dr. Perry Hancock. I am confident that this kind of leadership that the Children’s Home needs and expects will continue with the election of Dr. David Jeffreys. Louisiana Baptists who have yet to meet him will love David and his wife, Stephanie.”
LBCHFM Board Chairman Jason Lupo, pastor of First Baptist Church, Hornbeck, voiced his gratitude for the search committee and for Jeffreys.
“It is an honor to serve on the LBCH&FM board, and I am thankful for the diligence and integrity our search committee used as they sought and called Dr. David Jeffreys to serve as President and CEO of LBCH&FM,” he said. “His ministry has a history of faithfulness and strength as he has cared for Louisiana Baptist in the name of Christ. I am convinced he will work alongside our staff, churches, donors, and partners to continue to follow God’s direction for LBCH&FM.”
Meanwhile, Bob Bozeman, who served as the search committee chair, added, “We are grateful to God for leading us to Dr. Jeffreys, his passion for ministry, servant-leadership and love for people align perfectly with the mission of LBCH&FM. We believe God has prepared him for this season.”
LCU President Mark Johnson said Jeffreys was a Christ-centered leader during his time with the school.
“During seasons of transition and responsibility at Louisiana Christian University, he provided much-needed leadership,” Johnson said. “His love for children and families is not theoretical; it is lived out in prayerful decisions, relational leadership, and commitment to the mission of Christ. Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries is receiving a leader of faith and compassion. I am confident God has prepared Dr. Jeffreys for this moment, and I rejoice in what lies ahead for him and Stephanie and this vital work.”
