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August 2014
Volume 42, No. 6
Evangeline Baptist Association
3000 W. Pinhook
PO Box 81244
Lafayette, LA 70598-1244
Phone: 337.237.6956
Fax: 337.237.4319
Website: www.ebalaf.com
Bert Langley
Director of Missions
James Craft & Nathan Rush
Moderators
Elizabeth Langley
Office Administrator
Melaney Dudley
Administrative Assistant
Mary Langford
Counselor
Entre-Nous
Evangeline & Gulf Coast Baptist Associations
PO Box 81244
Lafayette, LA 70598-1244
337.237.6956 * Fax: 337.237.4319
www.ebalaf.com
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
13 - Wallace Millsaps, FBC Jeanerette
18 - Sara (Mrs. Nathan) Rush, FBC
Morgan City
19 - Edith (Mrs. Ron) Dubois, Retired
- Janet (Mrs. Bobby) Powell, Bayou
Vista
26 - Diana (Mrs. Ray) Smith, FBC
Lafayette
27 - Dottie Hayes, Retired
31 - Linda (Mrs. Tracy) King, Westside
Visit us at www.ebalaf.com
Bro. Bert Langley will retire as Director of Missions for the Evangeline and
Gulf Coast Baptist Associations effective December 31, 2014 (See ofcial
letter of resignation on the inside page).
Bro. Bert and Deedy have served these associations for twenty years, but
have ministered in the area for more than thirty-ve years with pastorates at
First Baptist, Youngsville (1972-75) and First Baptist, Broussard (1982-94).
During his years as Director of Missions he has served as interim in several
churches from the Lafayette area to Morgan City.
Bro. Bert i s a graduat e of
University of Louisiana, Lafayette
(formerly University of Southwest
Louisiana) and of New Orleans
Baptist Theological Seminary. In
addition to serving in our area, he
has pastored in Biloxi, Mississippi
followed by Shreveport from
1975-82 when he and his family
returned to Acadiana. Bro. Bert
became DOM in 1994 following
the retirement of Bro. Wallace
Primeaux.
Bro. Bert has been instrumental in
helping local churches to reach the Acadiana area through the planting of
new churches and missions. He has also helped coordinate the Disaster
Relief efforts for both hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He has led various
mission trips to the Ukraine, Alaska, Canada and El Salvador. He has
encouraged and facilitated the training of pastors either through online
courses or off-site courses offered by Baptist colleges or seminaries. He has
regularly visited local pastors/churches to encourage them in their task to
reach Acadiana for Christ, and has provided opportunities for fellowship with
ministers and their wives.
He and Deedy hope to remain in the area. Their plan to retire from this
position is not a plan to retire from ministry. They look forward to serving the
Lord in new and different ways, and look forward to new ministry
opportunities.
August 22-23
ABC Camp
Contact John Hebert at 339-0017 for more
information.
September 12-13
at Staybridge Suites
Overnight: $50 (includes room, 3 meals & materials)
Drive-In: $35
Time: 5 pm Friday until 2 pm Saturday
For more information: 337.348.4924;
337.202.4043
Sponsored by "The Shepherds Connection" and led by
Drs. Tim & Judy Patrick.
Counselors Corner
Mary Langford, Counselor
I think you know that all of our
children and grandchildren live far
awayone in Austin, TX, two in Dallas,
five in Chicago and four an hour north
of Chicago. We see them in various combinations a few
times a year, but most of our visiting is done by phone,
e-mail, Skype and FaceTime. Im glad to talk with them
whenever they call, day or night. Our musician son
usually telephones while hes driving a distance to a
performance or a recording session. We enjoy so much
being able to keep up with him this way, hearing his
frustration and funny stories about some of the people
he works with. We rejoice with him when he can report
that a gig went really well and that his audience
responded positively. He also often tells us about the
latest antics and achievements of his two little girls,
who are the light of his live.
Then theres his older sister, who called to tell us that
she, her husband and their three boys had taken the
week off and were on their way to Toronto, Canada, in
celebration of her fiftieth birthday. Niagara Falls is also
on their itinerary, so we talked about the tour that
takes you under the falls and the fireworks over the
falls on certain nights. They should have a great time!
Im still waiting for this weeks visit with the Dallas
daughter. Weve played phone tag, and she sent an e-
mail saying her little girl asked last night if I was born in
castle times. Never know what that child will come
up with.
All of the above to say that I have become more and
more impressed recently with the fact that our
Heavenly Father delights in spending time with us. He is
always available, just waiting for us to turn to Him and
share our concerns, our plans, our hopes. He wants us
to experience the joy of being loved unconditionally.
We need no electronic devices to reach Him; we only
have to whisper His name to become aware of His
presence. He loves it when we call on Him. Amazingly,
He wants to be our intimate friend, the One whom we
can trust completely. When I speak with my children, I
always want to encourage them. All the more does our
Father want to encourage and strengthen us. And what
He pours into us will overflow into the lives of others
whose lives we touch. This is His design, what we were
made for. And that you may love the Lord your God,
listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him, for the Lord is
your life (Deuteronomy 30:20)
DOM Lines
Bert Langley, Director of
Missions
On July 14, 2014 Deedy and I
f o r ma l l y a n n o u n c e d my
reti rement as Di rector of
Missions for the Evangeline and Gulf Coast Baptist
Associations effective December 31,2014. Words are
not adequate, nor does the space in this newsletter
provide me the liberty to express all that we feel in
our hearts at this time. God has blessed us beyond
measure by allowing us to serve the churches of
these two great associations, working with Louisiana
Baptists and the Southern Baptist Convention these
past twenty years. We count it all joy and will carry
with us to eternity the wonderful memories of your
love and fellowship during this tenure. Thank you
for your friendship, support, and prayers. Youre
the greatest!!!
I remember preaching a revival in years past at a
small church in Mississippi. The church had
scheduled noon meetings where I would bring a
short spiritual message while all enjoyed a meal.
During one of those meetings I made the statement
that as long as we are in this world God has
something for us to do. Then, for some foolish
reason, I asked if there was anyone in the room God
had finished with? A frail, elderly lady lifted her
hand. She became as obvious to all present as the
unmistakable character in Ray Stevens song The
Streak. The dialogue started:
Me: God has finished with you in this world?
Her: Yes, God has finished with me.
Me: (After what seemed like waiting for
electricity to be restored during the aftermath of a
hurricane) Well, meet me after this service and we
will pray God will take you to heaven. You will
enjoy being there more than here since HE is
finished with you here.
She didnt meet me, and the next day she had
brought three visitors with her. God wasnt finished
with hershe had quit.
Deedy and I know God has more for us to do. We
covet your prayers as we seek HIS face in this new
direction. Feeling the sentiment of Pauls words in
Philippians 4:12 (we) press on to take hold of
that for which Christ Jesus took hold of (us). To
God we give all glory.
Annual Church Profile Training
Tuesday, August 12 at the EBA Office
10 am or 6 pm
All church clerks are encouraged to attend this special training on Tuesday, August 12. There are
sessions being offered at 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. The ACP form is completely new this year and
can only be accessed online after receiving this training. Shana Johnston, consultant from LBC,
will provide the training. This information is more critical than ever as it will be the data used to
generate the Engage Map at http://www.engagemap.org
Please contact the EBA office to reserve a place in the session of your choice:
elizabeth@ebalaf.com or 337.237.6956
July 14, 2014
To my fellow laborers in the Evangeline and Gulf Coast Baptist Associations:
This year, May 15, 2014, was my 20th anniversary as your Director of Missions. Deedy and I look
upon this time as pure joy. Thank you for the privilege of serving the great churches in these two
associations. For this we will be eternally grateful to our Heavenly Father.
As leaders of both Associations, you have been a blessing to our ministry. Your support,
encouragement, and friendship over these past 20 years have enriched our lives and made my
work as your Director of Missions a great joy. For this I am forever indebted and eternally thankful
to you.
I feel that the time has now come for a transition in my ministry. I therefore offer my resignation
as your Director of Missions, effective December 31, 2014.
Thank you for being a part of our journey through these years. I pledge to continue to serve you,
your family, and the work God has given you until that departure date and beyond. You will
always be in our hearts and prayers.
May God forever be gloried and pleased in the effort of the churches to bring the Gospel to
Acadiana in both the Evangeline and Gulf Coast Baptist Associations.
Respectfully yours,
Bert Langley
Bert Langley
Director of Missions