By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn, during the 2024 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 12, hosted by Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport, urged messengers to connect, cooperate, follow the Great Commission and commit for the Kingdom.
CONNECTION
“We are a connected force for good,” Horn said. “But if we cease to be connected, we will lose or at least diminish our ability to be a force for good. Just as we are a force for good at the national level, I believe we are a force for good in Louisiana.”
Horn said the Baptist Message, Louisiana Baptist Foundation, Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, Louisiana Christian University and Executive Board all play a part in that connection.
Importantly, he shared how the Executive Board has responded to the church insurance crisis that is pressing on congregations across the state, approving a motion, Sept. 24, that would loan $250,000 from the Disaster Relief Restricted Fund to help cover initial costs of a newly formed church self-insured organization. The money would be used for the establishment and administration of the self-insurance trust, also known as the Fellowship of Louisiana Churches and Non-Profit Religious Organizations.
“Of great interest to all of us at this moment in our history is how your Executive Board is attempting to connect our churches to a more affordable insurance model,” Horn said. “We are not at the finish line yet, but God willing, I trust that when we meet next year your church will have been presented the option to participate with other Louisiana churches in a church self-insurance program. Our connection through Convention is what helps us to do that.”
COOPERATE
Horn shared that in 2025, Southern Baptists will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program, whose architect was the late Shreveport pastor, M.E. Dodd.
He noted that in 2008 Louisiana reached the height of giving through CP with receipts of $22,650,000 (8.27 percent of undesignated receipts). However, in 2023 Louisiana Baptist churches gave $17,400,868 (5.38 percent of undesignated receipts).
Horn said that while he is not asking churches to do more than they are doing with the CP, he asked them to pray that Louisiana can return to at least $20 million a year in giving through the CP and to ask themselves the question, “Is this the best we can do?”
“Over five years ago, when I became the executive director, I said ‘the Cooperative Program will be emphasized,” Horn said. “I’m standing before you today in my sixth annual meeting, standing by that commitment. I make no apologies. This is why we are Southern Baptist, and this is why we are Louisiana Baptist.”
COMMISSION
Horn said Louisiana Baptists have to follow the Great Commission which defines the mission of the church and LBC.
“Many of you have embraced my challenge to create and maintain a ‘culture of evangelism’ in Louisiana,” Horn said. “Let’s stay the course and stay on mission.” In that regard, he asked churches to simultaneously preach about John 3:16 on March 16, 2025.
He also offered that Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Associate Kevin Ulmer has written a 16-day prayer guide for churches to use in the 16 days leading up to March 16.
“Though I would never tell pastors what to preach, with humility and in the spirit of cooperation and connection for the Great Commission, I want to invite and challenge every Louisiana Baptist pastor to preach that Sunday on John 3:16,” Horn said. “Imagine the possibility of every Louisiana Baptist pulpit preaching this text on this same Sunday and trust the results to God. That’s my challenge.”
COMMITMENT
Horn challenged messengers to be devoted to God and walk daily with Him.
“It matters not how strong our connections, or cooperation, or even zeal for the Great Commission, if our personal commitment to the Lord Jesus is not characterized by personal holiness, obedience to our Lord’s commands, and a growing devotion to Him,” he said.
