The Louisiana District is known for our uncommon UNITY, our sacrificial GIVING, and our passion for the MISSION. I believe our incredible departments are one of the driving forces behind these valued characteristics – Ladies, Men’s, Children’s, Youth Ministries, Global, and North American Missions. These are not six different departments leading in different directions. They lead in the same direction with the same overall goal, to see souls saved and God’s people strengthened and empowered.
It is my opinion that we have the six most impactful and passionate department directors in North America! They lead with excellence, and all have been recognized among their respective peer groups as standing out from the rest.
When we give offerings to these departments, we are placing funds into the hands of leaders and committees who have strategies to reach more children, youth, men, and women with this glorious Gospel. They are ready to plan and implement events and programs to strengthen and provide Christian training to every person within their scope.
I am sure over the years some have asked, “Why do we send so much financial support to all these departments?”. Having been a pastor for 25 years, serving the Youth department on the section and district level, as the NAM director on the district level, and now as a Superintendent, I have had a bird’s eye view of the giving process. My answer to that question would be, “Because each department is capable of doing more with my financial support than I could ever do alone”. It’s the strength of being part of a “body”. My financial support adds exponentially to thousands of others who are also part of the organization. One of us is never stronger than all of us. We have found this to be true in the United Pentecostal Church.
This month, I have asked our six incredible department directors to provide a glimpse of their departmental vision.
Karen Weber, Louisiana Ladies Ministry
The mission of the Louisiana District Ladies Ministries (LDLM) is to encourage, equip, and empower apostolic women for service in the kingdom of God. Our vision involves ministering to the needs of all ladies, while also providing a model for future generations (Titus 2:3–5).
In 2025, LDLM will continue to connect with all God is doing through Mothers Memorial fundraising which supports missions, both globally and in North America, and numerous UPCI endorsed ministries. Through the efforts of our thirteen section leaders, LDLM will be providing spiritual uplifting and relational fellowship through section rallies, ladies events around the district, and especially at GLORIOUS 2025 Ladies Conference. On March 6 – 8, we will experience incredible God-moments at the campground through the ministry of Ginger Labat, Sarah Long, and others.
Connections directors within LDLM serve and minister to specific needs or groups. These include Women of Worth, ABLE, Building the Bridge, and Spanish ministries. We look forward to expanding our reach by adding more connections directors in the near future.
With grateful hearts, we say THANK YOU to each church, pastor, minister, and saint in Louisiana who believes in and supports Ladies Ministries.
Damon Magee, Louisiana Men’s Ministry
The Men’s Ministry of the Louisiana District exists to equip apostolic men to discover their purpose, power, and place in God’s Kingdom. Our mission is fulfilled by providing opportunities for service, worship, and leadership.
We encourage men to serve the local church and beyond through initiatives, like “Men on a Mission,” which includes building projects both locally and abroad. We offer opportunities for worship and connection at our annual “Dominion” Men’s Conference and sectional rallies, while challenging men to lead themselves and their families by providing valuable resources through upcimen.com.
Looking toward 2025, our vision is to grow our impact by expanding our Men’s Conference, reaching more men, and bringing more frequent and effective men’s rallies to every section of Louisiana. We aim to enhance our Kingdom impact through initiatives like the annual Father’s Day Offering, using our resources to further build the work of God.
We invite pastors and lay ministers to join us in prayer as we seek to restore men to their God-given roles, building a stronger church and community.
Eddie Gorden, Louisiana Children’s Ministry
The mission of the UPCI Children’s Ministries is to assist the whole church in developing and maintaining a healthy and effective church. This ministry trains, equips and motivates workers to evangelize, disciple, and nurture spiritual development among people of all ages with special emphasis on Children’s Ministries. We strive to serve the spiritual and natural needs of children.
In 2025, we are planning for the best annual Kid’s Camp. In addition, we will also hold our second ABLE Camp, “Camp IncredABLE”, for students with exceptionalities. Also this year, we’ll host a Louisiana Kid’s Statewide Rally at the camp grounds. Bible quizzing is also one of our passions, where our students compete with others to increase their Bible knowledge.
It is our desire to offer our Louisiana children the best. You are encouraged to be a part by giving to Save Our Children. Our children are the best; let’s lead them by giving the best offering in 2025. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Our giving to Save Our Children makes way for many events, programs, and resources which are made available for our children to know and grow in Christ!
Drew Galloway, Louisiana Youth Ministry
The Louisiana District Youth Ministry (LDYM) aims to serve, partner with, and engage students in local churches across the district. Our focus is on providing opportunities for students to experience God and grow in their faith through discipleship and ministry that makes a tangible Kingdom impact.
In 2025, LDYM is committed to helping students make a difference in their communities, empowering them to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) and spreading the gospel with the power of the spirit of God (Acts 1:8).
LDYM believes that students and young adults have a crucial role in the local church and in evangelizing during the end times. With a clear mission and vision, LDYM is confident that together, they can achieve great things for the Kingdom of God.
Our events will work in harmony with this vision to facilitate this kingdom mission in the lives of our students and young adults. We exist to impact students and empower them to make a difference locally that can have effects globally. We believe 2025 will be the greatest year yet for the churches of the Louisiana District!
Ryan Allmon, Louisiana North American Missions
“Seeding through Sending”
In the biblical context, the word SEED can refer to anything which has, within it, a quickening or creative force. The potential to produce, create, or multiply makes it seed. Jesus calls the Word of God seed in His parable of the seed, sower, and soil. When God spoke the promise to Abraham, he called those born from his lineage seed. Thus, words are seed, thoughts are seed, people are seed, even resources can be seen as seed.
Considering that these things are seed, there are two principles driving the vision of Louisiana NAM:
1) The harvest is ALWAYS greater than the seed sown.
2) We unequivocally reap what we sow.
The implication then is we may never receive a harvest from a seed we fail to sow. So, we commit to sowing seed, planting churches, and sending laborers! The Bible emphatically declares in 2 Corinthians 9:10, “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown...”. The prevailing thought for us to ponder is, if I had known it was a seed, I would have been more careful with how I handled it. LOUISIANA, let’s sow seeds by sending!
Eddie Tilley, Louisiana Global Missions
The Louisiana District UPCI Global Missions department is the liaison between UPCI missionaries and Louisiana District UPCI pastors and churches. Our district has led all districts for decades in total giving to Global Missions. Our giving goal is not only to continue, but to increase to new records we have never witnessed. Our pastors and churches can make this possible by scheduling our deputizing missionaries for services, including hosting a missionary.
Our team includes myself, Eddie A Tilley, as the Louisiana District Director, and three regional directors. Pastor Richard Dykes, Jr. is the director for the southern region, Pastor Ricky Wead Jr. is the director for the central area, and Pastor Reggie Bozeman is the director for the northern region.
Through the years, the Louisiana District has provided many missionaries and continues to be widely represented in several fields around the world. Over many decades, hundreds of churches have been built and tens of thousands of souls in over 230 countries and territories have been reached with the Gospel because of our support.
Let’s continue to fulfill “The Whole Gospel to the Whole World by the Whole Church”!
MISSION LOUISIANA
It is hard to believe that after only 18 months, halfway through our 3-year giving phase, we are now over $1.5 million in our giving to Mission Louisiana! At this pace, we should surpass our $2.5 million goal for our New Boys’ Dorm. We are only $1 million away from building a 280-bed dorm with cash in hand!
Only the Louisiana District could have accomplished this great feat and still give the largest offerings to our departments, not to mention Global Missions, where we have given approximately $4 million over the last year.
To those who are part of the giving plan to Mission Louisiana, THANK YOU! To those who have not given, please consider sending support to assist with this most important goal of building a New Boys’ Dorm. This project will bless our district in so many ways.
Happy February!
SUPERINTENDENT'S FEBRUARY ITINERARY
3 Section 12 Conference – Metairie, LA
4 Section 13 Conference – Plattenville, LA
6 Section 9 Conference – Winnsboro, LA
7 Section 10 Conference – Ruston, LA
10 Section 1 Conference – Ponchatoula, LA
16 Evangeline, LA – Pastor Thomas Patterson
27-28 Katy, TX – “Revitalize” Growth Conference