The Louisiana Baptists Missions Support Committee met this week as part of the Louisiana Baptist Annual Meeting. The Committee heard reports from Missions and Ministry Strategists and approved financial supplements for 46 Church Planting and Compassion Ministry Projects across Louisiana for 2021. In the midst of a difficult year, still much historic kingdom work and great cooperation happening around the state. We are grateful for the Louisiana Baptist Churches that give to the Cooperative Program and the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering that make this work possible.
35 new churches were approved for supplement in 2021, bringing the total of new churches started since 2010 to 271.
The 35 new churches include:
- 14 Replants or new churches started on a church property that was closed or near closure. Replanting has grown every year across Louisiana as churches reach the difficult decisions that come with long seasons of decline. Restarting or replanting these churches is a great option for every church in need of radical revitalization. Check out LouisianaBaptists.org/RePlantReady for more resources on RePlanting.
- 23 non-anglo churches, including 14 African-American churches, 7 Hispanic churches, 2 Asian churches. Our desire to increase diversity of the churches in our convention, has led to 55% of new churches since 2010 being non-anglo. The goal of reaching every people group in our state with the gospel is coming to fruition through church planting.
- 10 of the 35 meet in a space shared with another congregation. Sharing facilities is a great way to be a part of multiplying disciples, leaders, and churches.
We are looking forward to 2021. 21 new churches in the pipeline already. We are praying that the adversity of 2020, will lead to great growth and fruitfulness in 2021.
