Romans 10:14-15 offers insight into God’s plan for the lost of our world to be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Through these verses we see that God’s vision includes people who answer the call to preach this glorious Gospel so lost men and women can hear the Gospel and be saved. Since it is one of God’s priorities, one of our district goals is to provide a way for men and women to become credentialled ministers with the UPCI.

In the past three years, our district has ordained 27 individuals, issued General License to 50 individuals, and awarded Local License to 125 men and women. This brings us to a current total of 835 licensed ministers in the Louisiana District, an astounding number when you realize that the closest district to us is the Missouri District with 599 ministers.

I am thankful that our district consistently sends out Louisiana ministers to serve in other districts as well as answer the call to the mission field. Louisiana is a sending district. This is why God is calling so many to answer His call here in our state, because He knows our pastors will release them.

As the spiritual leader and guide, a pastor should create a pathway for men and women in their congregations to answer the call of God to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This should include regular training which answers questions and prepares the ministers God has placed in their hands by helping them:

1. Identify the call
2. Answer the call
3. Prepare for the call
4. Follow the call

While pastoring in Lafayette, we offered a monthly Ministers’ Class. As many as 25 would attend, including those answering a call to preach, those preparing for their calling, and those who were licensed or serving in their area of calling. In each class, we assigned three of these ministers to speak for 7-10 minutes each, giving them public speaking opportunity. Then I would teach on subjects pertinent to growing and developing in the ministry. On different occasions, Karen would speak to the spouses and lady ministers in a separate setting.

Every month, each of our ministers would submit an Accountability Calendar which showed they prayed at least 20 minutes per day, read at least one chapter of the Bible each day, fasted at least three days that month, as well as witnessed, invited others to church, and were teaching a Bible study.

Our goal was to train up and send out. The results were amazing. Today, numerous evangelists, pastors, church planters, missionaries, youth pastors, assistant pastors, and more are currently laboring in the Kingdom after being trained and developed in Lafayette.

A number of pastors have asked me, “How do I know if a minister is ready for licensing?” Just because one desires to be, does not necessarily mean they are ready to be licensed. There are elements to consider before taking this step.

1. First, it is not necessary for all ministers to be licensed. It is my personal opinion, and one which I practiced as a pastor in Lafayette, that if a minister plans to remain in the local church as a lay minister who serves in a support role for their pastor, there really is no need for licensing. Of course, this does not mean that a minister in this role cannot be licensed. Remember, it’s just my opinion.

       My belief is that licensing should be considered when a minister takes on a titled role in the church, such as Youth Pastor, Assistant Pastor, etc., or if             that minister foresees a role of ministering at other UPCI churches or events. When traveling to other UPCI churches, a credentialled minister is more           apt to be accepted because the inviting pastors know the minister is accountable to a pastor, to the leadership of the UPCI, and to its biblical and                 ethical principles.

2. Secondly, a candidate for licensing should already be:
   1. An example of consistency
   2. Loyal to leadership
   3. Faithful in attendance, worship, giving, etc.
   4. Involved in personal evangelism
   5. Practicing personal consecration (prayer, fasting, study of the Word), and
   6. Submitted to their pastor, just to mention a few.

The minister seeking license should already adhere to the UPCI Manual in areas of our Articles of Faith which include doctrine, holiness, ethics, etc. They also should be ready to support every event in their section, as well as the district, which pertains to them. This promotes the uncommon unity which has been a vital component to our district’s success.

For pastors who are looking for a training venue for ministers in their congregations, I highly recommend Purpose Institute. We presently have two locations in Louisiana with two more to be added soon. Purpose Institute is a UPCI-endorsed ministry training program with session topics of doctrine, leadership, evangelism, and more. For more information, contact our Louisiana District Purpose Institute Director, Mark Christian (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or check the resources page at ladistupc.com. 

Finally, pastors must be willing to release these ministers should God call them to ministry outside their local church. I am so thankful for my pastor who guided me on this path, helped me answer the call, then directed me as I followed that call. Pastor Anthony Mangun did not try to keep me in local ministry, but willingly released me to locations as God directed. That call has taken me on quite a journey over the years: evangelizing, assisting, church planting, and ultimately to the office of district superintendent. I am here because a pastor released me.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like to talk more about setting up a ministers’ training program in your local church.

Mission Louisiana

It has been encouraging to see our pastors and congregations excited about and committed to giving toward Mission Louisiana. As I travel the state, I find more and more pastors expressing their support and thankfulness for the upgrading of our magnificent campgrounds.

I am glad to announce that our Mission Louisiana giving has reached an incredible $1,415,521!

I still believe that giving opens the door for blessing. I also believe that the Louisiana District UPCI is incredibly blessed because we continue to open our hearts and hands to give to support God’s mission globally.

Pastors, please stay faithful to give toward this immeasurable cause, Mission Louisiana. We are 57% complete with the gathering of the amount of funds needed to build our New Boys’ Dorm!