By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
CHOUDRANT, La. (LBM) – Dwayne Monk, a former vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, died suddenly June 23 while cutting grass. He was 60.
Monk had served as pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, Choudrant, since 1999, but he also was a well-known leader at all levels of Louisiana Baptist life.
According to the office of Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn, Monk was LBC second vice-president (2013), and an Executive Board member (2003-2008 and 2013-2019), serving as president (2007-2008), nominating committee member (2014-2017), administrative committee chairman (2018-2019), and search committee member for Executive Director David Hankins and Steve Horn. Moreover, Monk served on the LBC committee on committees (2009-2010), committee on the order of business (2020-2023) and President’s Study Group (2014-2021).
During his tenure at New Hope Baptist, which averages 91 worshipers for its Sunday morning service, 139 new converts have been baptized since 1999. Before serving at New Hope Baptist, Monk pastored Fairdale Baptist Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas, for seven years.
“Louisiana Baptists lost an incredible friend and supporter of our cooperative work in the passing of Rev. Dwayne Monk,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “When introducing himself, Brother Dwayne would routinely say, ‘I pastor the greatest church, in the best association, in the best state convention.’
“Brother Dwayne represents the best of who Southern Baptist and Louisiana Baptist pastors are,” he continued. “He faithfully served his Lord and the church without the need for notoriety. I will miss him.”
Concord Union Baptist Association Director of Missions Barry Joyner remembered Monk as a faithful servant in his church and association.
“He’s been a DOM’s best encourager,” Joyner said. “He was that friend to me who sticks closer than a brother. My heart aches in a selfish way for my loss. He has seen all the promises that he has preached for years become his reality.
“He served the LBC well at several levels and was a team player who was unafraid to speak his convictions,” he continued. “He stood firm on the unchanging truth of the Bible. I will miss him much and I will see him again better than he has ever been.”
Monk leaves behind his wife, Beth, daughters, Sarah and Hannah, and granddaughter, Isabella. Funeral arrangements are pending.
