ALEXANDRIA, La. —
The Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees met October 20 to conduct the business of the entity.
Investments
Representatives from the Foundation’s investment consultants presented their report to the Board, highlighting the Foundation’s overall growth in its investments, ongoing adherence to its investment policies and discussing market forecasts for the remainder of the year. Chase Burns, the Foundation’s Associate Director, reported that as of September 2026, the entity’s assets under management had exceeded $346 million, the annualized yield for the short-term fund was 4.25 percent, and the group investment fund’s year-to-date performance was 6.62 percent while its trailing 12-month performance was 8.18 percent. Burns further reported on the growth in assets through new and expanding relationships with various Louisiana Baptist churches and other ministries.
Operations
Jared Price, the Foundation’s Executive Director, reported that as of September, operational revenue was exceeding expectations, expenses remained under budget, and reserves were in a healthy position. Price also recognized retiring staff member Tami Willis (32 years of service) and introduced the Foundation’s new Controller, Lacy Burris CPA. He further reported positively on the Foundation’s various programs and marketing efforts.
Strategic Plan
Price also reported on the Foundation’s progress toward its strategic plan to advance the Kingdom by $200 million in 20 years or less by facilitating charitable gifts, managing money, and providing other financial resources that strengthen Louisiana Baptist churches and ministries. He noted that from July 2020 through September of this year, the Foundation has helped to advance the Kingdom by over $134 million, over two-thirds toward its goal.
Other Business
In addition to other internal matters, the Board adopted an operating budget for 2027 of $1.4 million. Officers and committee chairs were also elected for 2027. The Board elected Matthew Gazaway, associational mission strategist for the Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana and member of Spring Creek Baptist Church, Kentwood, as President; Donny Durr, minister of business administration and operations for Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport, as Vice President; Andy Brister, an attorney and member of Lake Providence Baptist Church, Lake Providence, as Secretary; Vu Luong, an insurance agent and member of Vietnamese Hope Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, as Investment Committee Chair; and Melinda Robinson, the financial administrator for First Baptist Church, Covington, as Operating Committee Chair.
Price noted the Foundation is thankful for the support of Louisiana Baptists and remains committed to advancing the Kingdom: one dollar at a time, one ministry at a time, one life at a time.
