By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
DERIDDER, La. (LBM) – Two Louisiana Baptist associations recently welcomed their new ministry and mission coordinators: LaSalle Baptist Association, Carl Gulde; and Beauregard Baptist Association, Tom Bruce.
CARL GULDE
Gulde, long-time pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Colfax, became the associational ministry director with the LaSalle Baptist Association Feb. 14. He follows Buddy Willis, who retired from the position, Dec. 31, 2021.
A native of Trout, Gulde found Christ at 12 while attending a revival with Fellowship Baptist Church of Trout, La. Three years later, in 1962, he preached his first sermon, sharing a message with Hurricane Creek Baptist Church.
“At 15 I knew I would one day preach and that would be my life’s work,” Gulde told the Baptist Message. “My heart has always been to reach lost people.”
During the years that followed, Gulde served as representative for the Gideons International, coached and taught social studies at Jena’s junior and senior high schools, and served with various congregations.
Additionally, he served 23 years in the National Guard and was part of Operation Desert Storm, the U.S.-led military action that liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation during the Persian Gulf War in 1991.
In January 1997, Gulde was called to his first pastorate, Pritchard Baptist Church, Jonesville. He also served as pastor with other Louisiana Baptist churches: First Baptist Church, Crowville (1999-2005), First Baptist Church, Oak Grove (2005-2010), and Bethel Baptist Church, Colfax (2010-2022). Additionally, he has been a Louisiana Baptist Convention trustee over Louisiana College (1993-1999) and served on the LBC Executive Board (2000-2006).
He and his wife, Clarenda, have two children and five grandchildren. Gulde said his vision for Lasalle association is to see the churches continue to reach the unsaved and to disciple the saints.
“I want to see the churches strengthened and reach the parish for Christ,” he said. “LaSalle Association has a wonderful mission house with a well-trained staff and volunteers. I am looking forward to serving the pastors and the churches of this association.”
TOM BRUCE
Bruce, who served on staff with First Baptist Church, Sulphur, for nearly 22 years, became associational mission strategist for Beauregard Baptist Association, March 7. He replaced Tim Patrick, who vacated the position, April 2021, to pursue other ministry opportunities.
He and wife Amy have two grown children.
Bruce told the Baptist Message that he trusted Jesus as his Savior at the age of 10 and surrendered to ministry at FBC Sulphur at 21. Since that time, he has served in two churches in Texas as youth minister until he moved back to Sulphur in May 2001. While at FBC Sulphur, Bruce served in various capacities: youth, education, administration, missions, outreach, sr. adults, family ministry and associate pastor.
Bruce said he sensed, during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, that God was about to bring a change in his life.
As for the future, Bruce said his focus for the next year will be to build relationships with pastors and churches in the association. Afterward, he will develop an overall strategy for the coordinated work of the association.
“We are one big family,” Bruce said. “Ecclesiastes says a cord of three strands is not easily broken. Well, a cord of 44 churches makes one big tug rope. Working together as an association, God can use us to pull a lot of people out of the darkness and into His marvelous light! I’m looking forward to grabbing ahold of the rope with the wonderful people in BBA.”
