By Baptist Message staff
PRAIRIEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Kirk Jones, pastor with Fellowship Church, Prairieville, will be nominated to serve a second term as president with the Louisiana Baptist Convention.
Gil Arthur, pastor with First Baptist Church, Choudrant, shared with the Baptist Message, Sept. 30, his intention to make the nomination during the 2026 annual meeting of Louisiana Baptist messengers.
The yearly gathering of Louisiana Baptists will be hosted by Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles, Nov. 10.
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
Arthur commended Jones’ character during the 35 years he has known him, including when Jones was a student attending Cook Baptist Church, Ruston. Jones surrendered to the ministry and was licensed to preach while Arthur was pastor there.
“It’s always hard to know what someone will do when they grow up, but even as a student he was active in our church,” Arthur told the Baptist Message. “He’s done his job as president and is a man of integrity and great faith who loves the Lord and loves this convention.”
BY THE NUMBERS
Jones planted Fellowship Church in 2001, starting with a few people who met in his living room. This year the congregation reported averaging more than 1,500 people in worship and having baptized 95 new believers, January to early October.
According to church records, Fellowship Church has given 7 percent of undesignated gifts through the Cooperative Program to support cooperative missions and ministries in 2026, amounting to $97,511.99 through August.
CANDIDATE’S RESPONSE
Jones told the Baptist Message he was honored to be nominated.
“I knew that (Louisiana Baptist Executive Director) Steve Horn was leading us into discussions about the Cooperative Program and state convention health,” he said. “I am grateful to be a part of that.
“This role has deepened my commitment and passion for the Cooperative Program and our cooperative relationships as churches,” he continued. “If your church has struggled with CP and its effectiveness or perhaps you have just felt disconnected from it, please come to Lake Charles this year.
“We are working diligently to create clear communication about CP supported mission and how your church can partner personally,” he said. “We have the potential to see healthy change in our connection and cooperation and hope you and your church will give yourself the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing. Our cooperation and its historic impact is worth the effort and energy.”
PERSONAL DATA
Jones is a native of Ruston and has served in the ministry since 1994.
He holds degrees from Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Jones has served as youth and children’s minister with Parkview Baptist Church, Alexandria; pastor with Big Bend Baptist Church, Hamburg, Louisiana; student ministry staff with Fielder Road Baptist Church, Arlington, Texas; and church planting intern with Christ Memorial Baptist Church, Hurst, Texas.
Jones and his wife, Wendy, have three adult children: Daniel (wife, Cassidy), Melanie (fiancé, Baron); and Kara. They became grandparents to Magnolia on Sept. 3.
