WEST MONROE – A popular game show uses the line “and the survey says.” During the recent meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention in West Monroe, the “survey said” there is great potential and surprising receptivity to reach people for Christ across southern Louisiana.
The results of months of telephone surveys across south Louisiana were presented to messengers via video as part of the LBC’s Missions and Ministries Team report. The survey showed unexpected openness by people in southern Louisiana to a “come to church with me” invitation by a Southern Baptist.
“The Southern Baptist response to Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, Gustav, Rita and others has increased the receptivity of those living throughout the southern regions of Louisiana,” said LBC Executive Director, David Hankins. “We are excited about these findings and are strategizing on ways to maximize our opportunities to share Christ in these areas.”
Of the people surveyed, 64 percent said they had not been contacted by a member of any church during the previous six months, and 61 percent said they would welcome contact from a Southern Baptist.
Furthermore, 54 percent of the people surveyed said they would be willing to attend a Southern Baptist church.
“People are receptive – to the gospel and to Southern Baptists,” said LBC Missions and Ministries Team Leader John Hebert. “A full 61 percent said they would enjoy – enjoy! – being contacted by a Southern Baptist. And 78 percent indicated they would be willing to attend a local church.”
The survey also showed financial issues were the greatest problem facing the families of half the respondents, and 11 percent said life in general was a struggle for them.
Three-quarters – 76 percent – of those surveyed said they believed in heaven and hell, but 72 percent could not explain how to become a Christian.
“That gives us 72 percent of the population in southern Louisiana needing to hear about God’s love, needing to say ‘Yes!’ to Jesus, and even more of them would welcome conversation with a Southern Baptist,” Hebert said. “This is an opportunity for people in every church in Louisiana to make an eternal difference in the lives of people who are open to hearing what they have to say.”
Approximately 30 percent of Louisiana’s 1,600 Southern Baptist congregations are located in southern Louisiana, Hebert said.
“God took the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and the others, and used it to soften the hearts of people for Him, because of the efforts of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers,” Hebert said. “What are you going to do with this opportunity to make an eternal impact in the lives of others who live in our great state?”
Complete results of the surveys were made available for messengers at the Missions and Ministries booth. Hebert noted that pastors who were unable to attend the convention can obtain a copy of the survey by contacting the Missions and Ministries Team office.