Publication of Evangeline & Gulf Coast Baptist Associations of the Louisiana Baptist Convention

ENTRE NOUS
Elizabeth A. Langley
Office Administrator

November, 2013 Volume 41, No. 10

Bert Langley
Director of Missions

Melaney Dudley
Media Specialist/Office Assistant

James Craft & Nathan Rush

Moderators

Mary Langford
Counselor

TWO EBA PASTORS CANDIDATES FOR LBC LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Dr. Steve Horn, pastor of FBC Lafayette, is a candidate for the presidency of the LBC for 2014-15. Bro. Steve has been pastor at FBC Lafayette for the past seven years, but has been active in the Evangeline Baptist Association for several years having served as pastor of Highland Baptist Church in New Iberia prior to his coming to Lafayette. He has served as Moderator of the association, and has served on several EBA committees including the EBA Executive Council. Dr. David Denton, pastor of Highland Baptist, New Iberia, is a candidate for the first Vice President of the LBC. Bro. David followed Dr. Steve Horn as pastor of Highland Baptist. Bro. David has also served on the associational council as well as other EBA committees. He currently serves as the vice-moderator of the EBA.

Please remember to pray for the LBC during this important time.

Evangeline Baptist Association

Connecting Churches Through the Cross Gulf Coast Baptist Association Bert Langley, Director of Missions

DOM Lines

As the cooler weather reaches our area, I am reminded that one of the wonders of Gods creativity, the fall foliage, is beginning to burst into full color across the mountains to the north in such beauty one cannot help but stand in awe of Gods Majesty. Last year in celebration of Deedys retirement from the public school system, we took our first trip to the Smokey Mountains in the fall of the year to witness this annual miracle. The trees robed in their brilliant beauty seemed to declare the glory of their Creator. We were overwhelmed by the ONE who gave each leaf its unique color. HIS great glory is still being declared through HIS creation today. Paul wrote to the Roman Christians, For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they (mankind) may be without excuse (as relates to Gods invisible attributes) (Romans 1:20). Do you want to experience the magnificence of God? Spend a few days during the fall in the Smoky Mountains. Every day becomes a day for Thanksgiving when we experience HIS greatness. Our very existence is a tribute to HIS mercy and grace. King David, in Psalm 8, wrote, When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? He followed those words with the following words in Psalm 9: I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. No one need remind the Christian to give thanks, as children of God every day is a day for thanksgiving. Soon we will be celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus and thanking the Father for sending HIS Son as our Savior. Deedy and I pray that you and your family experience all the wonder, joy, and peace of HIS coming. Jesus is still the reason for the season and our celebration. Merry Christmas!

Counselors Corner

Mary Langford, Counselor

Many of you will have seen on CNN the touching, inspiring interview given by Rick and Kay Warren regarding the suicide of their mentally and emotionally troubled son Matthew. People across the country listened as they bared their broken hearts and proclaimed their continued trust in the Lord. I keep remembering Ricks recounting of his son coming to him years ago to ask why he couldnt just die because they had tried doctors, hospitals, medication and much prayer, and still he was in so much pain. Rick answered that he could not give up, because there is always hope in God. And he told his son, There is purpose in your pain. This, I believe, is one of those hard, true statements. It is something I try to help people see each week as I meet with them for counseling. I am not saying that all pain is good or that we should seek pain. I am saying that in this earthly life we cannot avoid pain. We can fight it, withdraw, become angry that it has come to us, question God or have any of a number of reactions, but we cannot escape it. C.S. Lewis, my all-time favorite Christian writer, said, God whispers to us in our pleasure, speaks to us in our conscience, but He shouts to us in our pain. He knows what we encounter in this fallen world in which we live. He usually doesnt take us out of the discomfort, but promises to stay with us in the midst of it. And if we are listening, He will communicate to us some valuable lesson we could learn no other way. It may simply be the marvelous awareness of His presence. This is what gives purpose to mental, emotional or physical pain. I often hear people say, Everything happens for a reason, implying that somehow there is a good reason behind everything that happens. I can give many examples which prove that is not true. Suicide bombers and Navy Yard shooters have reasons for their actions, but they are not good reasons. What we can say is that we will determine in our own lives to give everythinggood or bad--- that happens to the Lord and ask Him use it for His purpose. My personal experience is that He honors that kind of attitude and request. That is what will give reason and purpose to our lives---and even to our pain.

Evangeline Baptist Association

Connecting Churches Through the Cross Gulf Coast Baptist Association

Monday, October 21, 2013, at 6:45 PM at East Bayou Baptist Church, the Evangeline Baptist Association held its seventy-fourth annual meeting. Several churches in the association were represented as well as many guests and special ministry participants. The meeting began with worship music led by David Mitchell and the Praise Team from First Baptist, Youngsville. The regular business session was held and the business of the association was transacted. Committee members were voted in, the 2014 Proposed Budget adopted, and Genesis Baptist Church of New Iberia was voted into the membership of the association. The business session was followed by a time of fellowship around the ministry booths. Ministry agencies that work in partnership with EBA were there to share what God is doing in and through their areas of ministry. The following groups had booths set up to explain more about their work: Acadian Baptist Camp; WMU; Louisiana College; LA Baptist Childrens Home; Disaster Relief; Canada Mission Project; BCM of ULL; Church Renewal; LBC; Baptist Message; Louisiana Baptist Foundation; Missions Development; Mens & Boys Ministries; Ministry Assistants; Ministers Wives; VBS; Evangelism; and Mission Lafayette.

The mission focus for this years EBA Annual Meeting was the Bucket Project: Hospice Kits. The churches of the association have been challenged to fill buckets with needed items for AIDS victims in Africa. Over 125 buckets were brought to East Bayou for collection and many more are being filled. Frank Dudley, Louisiana State Bucket Project Coordinator, spoke to the attendees about the importance of this project, not only to meet physical needs, but to meet spiritual ones as well. He challenged each individual to consider how they might participate in this ministry in the days and weeks to come. Buckets will continue to be collected throughout the coming year. If you are interested in knowing more, go to the Baptist Global Relief website: gogbr.org/buckets or contact the EBA office: melaney@ebalaf.com or 337-237-6956.

ONE BUCKET, ONE CHANGED LIFE

The EBA office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday Thursday & Friday, November 28 & 29.

1 - Deanne (Mrs. David) Denton, Highland, New Iberia 3 - Stephanie (Mrs. David) Jeffreys, Highland, New Iberia 6 - Larry Langley, The Garden 10 - Frank Dudley, Erath 11 - Donna (Mrs. James) McClelland, The Bridge Fellowship 13 - Edgardo Mancia, Iglesia Bautista Jehovah Jireh 15 - Marty Romero, Friday Night Church 18 - James Craft, Calvary, Lafayette 21 - Melaney (Mrs. Frank) Dudley, EBA Office/Erath 23 - Tonia (Mrs. Dennis) Clark, FBC, Lafayette - Nadine (Mrs. Johnny) Ward, FBC, Delcambre 26 - Charles Brunt, FBC, Carencro
There are leader kits available at the EBA office

29 - Tory (Mrs. Sean) Walker, East Bayou - Andrea (Mrs. Scott) McKenzie, FBC, Lafayette 30 - Weldon Moak, FBC, Broussard