By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – During his impactful presidential address at the 2024 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting on Nov. 12, hosted by Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, David Goza passionately urged pastors to embrace unity and boldly proclaim the grace of God amid an increasingly godless culture.
“We are the light of Christ for this world,” he asserted, emphasizing the vital importance of collaboration among church leaders. “We have to be united; we have to be thinking alike; and we have to be going in the same direction.”
“Obviously, we’re going to have some times of disagreement. But we have to be able to come together for the sake of the lost,” he continued, underscoring the necessity of working in tandem to fulfill their divine mission. “Our mission is the Great Commission of Jesus Christ to the Church, and we’re a Convention of Bible-believing churches.”
Drawing profound wisdom from Titus 2:11-14, Goza articulated that God’s grace not only teaches churches to deny self but also empowers them to live a godly life and eagerly anticipate the return of Jesus.
“These are dark days. We are the Church of this age,” he declared with conviction. “God has seen to it that we are the keepers of His Word for this generation, and I believe, for one, that we are the end time Church. It falls on us in this dark hour to preach the Gospel.”
BIBLE STUDY
Hance Dilbeck, president and CEO of GuideStone Financial Resources of the SBC, reminded attendees that a true Kingdom leader embodies the roles of a servant, steward, and shepherd.
“This model for Kingdom leadership is to shepherd them according to the integrity of His heart and to guide them with the skillfulness of His hands,” Dilbeck shared, grounding his insights in Psalm 78:70-72. “It’s a very important biblical balance about leadership in the text that everyone in the room must grasp.”
“Integrity” refers to a state of wholeness, Dilbeck explained, emphasizing that there should be no division between one’s private and public lives and that a consistent character is required. “Skillfulness of your hands” pertains to the mastery of one’s craft, urging leaders to dedicate themselves to excellence in serving the Lord and His people.
Dilbeck noted that the model of Kingdom leadership embodies marvel, mystery, and the essence of the Messiah. Reflecting on Israel’s history, he reminded the audience that they had often been fickle and faithless, yet God graciously provided them a leader like David.
“When God wants to judge a people, He gives them leaders they deserve,” he said thoughtfully. “When He wants to bless a people, He raises up leaders they truly need.”
He poignantly pointed out that every subsequent son of David ultimately disappointed, except for “the” Son of David. “Jesus is the King that we could never deserve but we so desperately need,” he proclaimed. “Our world is hungry for leadership. There is only one who will ever truly satisfy that hunger, and His name is Jesus.”
CONVENTION SERMON
In his stirring convention message, Matthew James, associate vice president of enrollment at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, elaborated on the responsibilities of Christ followers to proclaim the Gospel, particularly in difficult and challenging environments.
“What hard place is God calling us to take the Gospel into?” he posed, encouraging attendees to trust God’s guidance and call their congregations to remain steadfast in fulfilling the Great Commission. James highlighted the need for accountability, fellowship, biblical instruction, and compassion for the needs of others, emphasizing the importance of being known for Gospel unity.
Additionally, James emphasized the pressing need for more godly men to proclaim biblical truth. “Biblical teaching is critical for our sanctification, for our formation in Christ,” he stressed. “We need brothers and sisters to be men and women of the Bible.”
He encouraged Louisiana Baptists to emulate the church at Antioch, which effectively reached the lost within a pagan culture. James declared that through prayer and worship, “we will go, and the mission will cost us something.”
“It is more than worth it when one day we are gathered around the throne with thousands upon thousands who have professed faith in Christ and believe because we gave that which was temporal so that they could have the thing that is eternal,” he concluded passionately. “On that day, we will shed tears of joy because it will be worth it.”
What are the key challenges that David Goza believes the church leaders are facing in today’s cultural climate?
**Interview with David Goza, President of the Louisiana Baptist Convention**
*Editor*: Thank you for joining us today, David. Your recent address at the 2024 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting has received a lot of attention. You emphasized the need for unity among pastors. Can you elaborate on why this unity is crucial in today’s cultural climate?
*David Goza*: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. In an increasingly godless culture, it’s imperative that we, as church leaders, stand together. Our unity amplifies our voice and strengthens our mission. The world needs to see the light of Christ, and by collaborating, we can be more effective in sharing His grace and love.
*Editor*: You mentioned the Great Commission in your address. How do you see this mission playing out within our current cultural landscape?
*David Goza*: The Great Commission is timeless and remains our primary responsibility. In these dark days, it is particularly vital. We must equip our congregations to not only proclaim the Gospel but also to live it out in a way that draws people to Christ. By working aligned with one another, we can ensure that our message is clear and impactful.
*Editor*: You drew from Titus 2 in your speech. Can you share how God’s grace plays a role in empowering churches today?
*David Goza*: Titus 2:11-14 beautifully outlines how God’s grace teaches us to deny ungodliness while equipping us for a godly life. This grace is transformative; it changes our hearts, shapes our mission, and fuels our anticipation for Christ’s return. It reminds us that while the world may be dark, we are called to shine brightly as we await His coming.
*Editor*: Hance Dilbeck also spoke about the qualities of Kingdom leadership. How do you see those qualities reflected in your vision for the Louisiana Baptist Convention?
*David Goza*: Leadership in the church must model servant-heartedness and integrity. As we govern our congregations and make collective decisions, we ought to embody those qualities. We need to lead with a wholeness of character that shows our communities our dedication to God’s mission—both through personal conduct and by the ways we guide our churches.
*Editor*: You emphasized the urgent need for the church to rise up during these challenging times. What message do you have for pastors and church leaders as they respond to the current cultural challenges?
*David Goza*: Stay rooted in Scripture and maintain a posture of humility and grace. We can’t shy away from the truths of the Gospel, but we must also provide hope, love, and understanding to those around us. Let’s work together, lift each other up, and remain focused on preaching the good news. Our collective efforts can change lives and impact our communities for the Kingdom of God.
*Editor*: Thank you for sharing your insights today, David. Your vision for unity and mission within the church is inspiring, especially in a time when the world needs it the most.
*David Goza*: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important message. Together, we can make a lasting difference.
