By Will Hall, Message Editor
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Steve Horn is a leader among leaders in the Louisiana Baptist Convention and someone who loves Louisiana Baptists, Waylon Bailey shared with the Baptist Message in announcing Horn as the candidate the search committee will present May 7 to the LBC Executive Board for a vote.
If elected, Horn will replace David Hankins who is retiring June 30 as LBC executive director.
“He lived in the northern part of the state early in his life and has served in the southern part of the state, so he understands the great uniqueness among Louisianans and has a deep appreciation for the great variety among the congregations that make up the fellowship we call a ‘Convention,’” said Bailey, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington and chairman of the search committee. “Likewise, he has been an exceptional friend and leader to other pastors on a personal level and in how his congregation has participated in the cooperative missions and ministries of the LBC during his entire tenure.”
Horn has served as pastor of the First Baptist Church in Lafayette since 2005. The database of the Annual Church Profile shows his congregation has baptized 775 new believers since then and contributed more than $2.9 million through the Cooperative Program in just the last six years.
First Lafayette averages about 1,100 in worship and 1,000 in Sunday school, according to ACP records.
Horn also has served in a number of leadership roles as a Louisiana Baptist and Southern Baptist.
He was president of the LBC (2014-2015) as well as a member of the LBC Executive Board (2006-2011), serving as vice president (2009) and president (2010-2011). Currently, he is a trustee of Louisiana College, having joined that board in 2017.
He is in his second year as a trustee with the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and previously was a member of the SBC Committee on Order of Business (2012-2015).
Additionally, Horn served on the Committee on Committees for both the LBC (2012-2013) and the SBC (2009).
“Steve also has a love for reaching out to other pastors,” Bailey said. “He expressed a strong conviction to our committee about helping our pastors succeed in reaching our state with the Gospel.”
“He is loved by his congregation and by pastors from around the state, and our committee is convinced Louisiana Baptists will love him as executive director,” he added. “Most importantly, we believe God led us to this decision.”
Horn has served as pastor to three other Louisiana congregations: Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia (1999-2005); Satsuma Baptist Church, Livingston (1995-1999); and, New Haven Baptist Church, Natalbany (1992-1995).
He and Linett have been married nearly 27 years and have two sons, Josh (21) and Dru (8).
