MISSIONS DEVELOPMENT
2008 – 2009 ANNUAL REPORT
Dr. Rodrick E. Conerly, Executive Director

As with the established churches, some of our missions have shown development and growth and others continue to struggle.

Most new church starts have shown growth by achieving some of their projected goals for 2009. Some are struggling with growth exceeding their present facilities. Others continue to struggle to establish a presence with an ongoing Bible study or worship service in their respective locations of ministry.

The Hispanic Baptist Mission has shifted its location from First Baptist Church to Florida Boulevard Baptist with Reverend Carlos Rosales as the pastor. As a result of the new location and the leadership of the new pastor, that work is growing. In addition, a new Hispanic work has begun in Brownfields Baptist Church with Pedro Cortez as the pastor. These two pastors anticipate a coordination of efforts to reach the Hispanic population across the city of Baton Rouge.

In 2010, areas where new church starts are needed are: two Anglo churches in East Baton Rouge Parish, an African-American church in Ascension Parish, and an Anglo church in Ascension Parish. Please pray and participate where you can and encourage your church to be a multiplier in partnering with other churches to start a new and needed ministry or new church for the Kingdom of God.

Because the Port of Baton Rouge will not renew the lease of the property on which stands the building the Association owns and has operated for the Baton Rouge Seafarer Center we have closed that facility. This has provided an opportunity for an expansion of that ministry. The Director of the Gonzales Seafarer Center, Mr. Sylvester Wilson, has accepted the position of Director of the Seafarer Ministry for the Association. He has been asked to expand the Seafarer Ministry to include an “on-board” ministry to the seafarer. In addition, he hopes to expand the ministry to include those men and women who work for the port facilities.