ALEXANDRIA, La. (ABP) — Messengers to the Louisiana Baptist Convention annual meeting Nov. 12-13 passed without discussion a measure that ensures the convention has complete control of its college and other affiliated institutions.
The measure amended the charter of convention-related entities to clarify that the convention owns the institutions, according to the Baptist Message, the Louisiana Baptist newspaper.
The entities affected include Louisiana College, the only institution of higher education related to the convention, as well as the Louisiana Baptist Foundation and Louisiana Baptist Children's Home.
The move was necessitated by the convention's decision to incorporate a year ago, according to the convention's executive board chairman, Frances LaRocque. LaRocque is pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Lake Charles, La.
The messengers, gathering in Alexandria, La., also elected a president and second vice president in contested elections and adopted a $21.2 million budget for 2008.
Mike Holloway, pastor of Cook Baptist Church in Ruston, La., was elected president over Chuck Pourciau, pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, La., on a vote of 513-314. For first vice president, messengers elected Mitch Harris, a member of Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, La., 380-325 over Lindsey Burns, pastor of First Baptist Church in DeRidder, La. Mickey Bounds, a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Farmerville, La., was elected second vice president by acclamation.
The budget represents an increase of nearly $200,000 over last year's budget. The budget distribution remained unchanged from last year, with 64.5 percent retained in the state for Louisiana Baptist ministries and 35.5 percent forwarded to the Southern Baptist Convention.
The convention will meet next year at First Baptist Church of New Orleans on Nov. 10 and 11.
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