Grace and Peace,

Last week, a majority of the members of the Louisiana Directors of Missions Fellowship met with the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director, David Hankins. This is an annual event that provides time for dialog between the LBC leadership and the local associational leadership in order to coordinate the joint efforts of ministries around Louisiana. 

This event was held in Lafayette, and included a session with the President of the LBC, Steve Horn. Our dialog addressed various current issues impacting our churches and included an emphasis on the implementation of the 2020 Commission. Further, there were four hours of discussion of future trends with a leader in the field of study (and fellow Director of Missions), Tom Billings, Executive Director of the Union Baptist Association in Houston, Texas.

While, there was almost "head-bursting" quantities of information, I left the meeting filled with anticipation and renewed commitment to the ministry of the association and the work with the local churches here in the central section of Louisiana. We have good planning tools and and numerous strategies to employ as we engage the culture in our local communities.

On this past Sunday morning, I was privileged to supply for pastor Jim Garlington, at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Bentley, Louisiana. Bro. Jim had been dealing with a severe cough and his doctor recommended that he not preach that day. I preached out of 1 John:1-10, on the "Fundamentals of Christianity." Oak Grove Baptist Church is nestled in the rolling hills of Grant Parish and is a lovely church with wonderful people. Pray that their ministry would "bear much fruit" (John 15:8) and that they would continue the rich heritage of spreading the gospel in that community.

Sunday evening, Linda and I attended the services at Pinehurst Baptist Church in Ball, Louisiana. I always love driving down Daniels Road and the sense of discovery of that church coming into view...almost unexpectedly! We enjoyed the excellent music service, the genuine camaraderie, and a fine message from pastor Kevin Paul. You are so right, pastor, Satan is real and though a defeated foe, he is formidable and not to be taken lightly. Please pray for the good folks of Pinehurst Baptist Church...for their ministry and for the people with whom they will share the "Good News" as they serve the Lord there in the area of Ball, Louisiana.

I pray you will have a great Memorial Day Weekend! Don't forget to tell the military persons you encounter that you appreciate their service! And let us be mindful of: 

"...the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

President Abraham Lincoln

November 1863

Blessings,

Robert Daniel, Director of Missions