SBC

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 400

Meet Eastwood Baptist Church

Eastwood Baptist Church is a thriving congregation in Haughton, Louisiana, passionate about making disciples who make disciples. With a warm, welcoming spirit and a strong sense of community, Eastwood provides a place where people can grow in their faith, connect in meaningful relationships, and live out their calling to serve others. The church is intentional about fostering both spiritual depth and genuine fellowship through vibrant worship services, engaging Family Life Groups, and a wide range of ministries that impact the surrounding community. Rooted in biblical truth and driven by a clear mission, Eastwood is a church family eager to see lives transformed by the Gospel—and to partner with leaders who share that same heart.

About the Senior Pastor

Eastwood Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a Senior Pastor who is deeply passionate about Biblical preaching, relational discipleship, and missions. This individual will be called to lead, inspire, and grow with the church, fostering a community where people discover new life in Jesus, deepen their relationships with Christ and His Word, actively serve in ministry and missions, and disciple others. The Senior Pastor will have a heart for shepherding and developing members and leaders within the congregation, guiding Eastwood Baptist Church in its consistent mission to "make fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ who make disciples of Jesus Christ". This is considered an indispensable role for the church's continued vitality and mission.

The Senior Pastor's responsibilities include:

• Biblical Preaching & Teaching: Serve as the primary preacher, delivering Biblically grounded sermons (30-40 minutes in length) with passion and depth. Oversee and potentially raise up other teachers within the church. Determine sermon series and contribute to the programming of worship services.
• Visionary Leadership: Provide clear, God-given vision and strategic direction for the church, inspiring the congregation towards growth and greater impact.
• Staff Oversight & Development: Lead and develop a dedicated team of 4 full-time and 4 part-time employees, overseeing 7 direct reports and fostering a healthy staff culture.
• Relational Discipleship: Champion the church's "4D Groups" and Family Life Groups, actively engaging in and promoting relational discipleship throughout the congregation.
• Pastoral Care & Shepherding: Demonstrate a genuine heart for shepherding the flock, nurturing members and leaders, and being approachable and consistently involved in the life of the church beyond Sunday mornings, including church functions, fellowships, mission trips, and projects.
• Missions & Community Engagement: Promote and lead the church's mission efforts, both locally and globally, and actively engage with and serve the Haughton community. This includes involvement in initiatives like the weekly community meal and Celebrate Recovery.
• Administrative Oversight: Maintain regular office hours and effectively manage church operations, including a departmental budget of approximately $1.2 million. The Senior Pastor reports directly to the Church body.
• Outside Engagements: Permitted to accept outside speaking events.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Senior Pastor:

Education and Experience

• Master's Degree: Required.
• Advanced Degrees: Further preference for DMin, ThD, and PhD degrees.
• Ordination: Required.
• Lead Pastor Experience: 5+ years of experience as an actual Lead Pastor/Senior Pastor in a Southern Baptist Church.
• Overall Pastoral Experience: A minimum of 10 years of Pastoral experience

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong Preaching: Demonstrated ability to deliver compelling, Biblically passionate, and expository sermons that engage and challenge the congregation.
• Visionary Leadership: Proven capacity to cast and implement vision, leading and developing staff effectively.
• High Emotional Intelligence (EQ) & Relational Acumen: A relational giant who connects deeply with people, demonstrating transparency, authenticity, and strong communication skills.
• Organizational & Follow-Through: Excellent ability to execute ideas and ensure consistent follow-through on initiatives, contrasting with previous pastoral shortcomings.
• Financial Acumen: Understanding of church finances and budget management.

Essential Character and Theological Traits

• Called and Qualified: Meets the spiritual qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
• Affirms the Baptist Faith and Message (2000).

What it's like to live in Haughton, LA

Nestled in Northwest Louisiana, Haughton is a close-knit community that blends the warmth of small-town living with easy access to the amenities of nearby Shreveport-Bossier City. Known for its friendly spirit and family-oriented atmosphere, Haughton offers excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and a slower pace of life that many residents value. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy Lake Bistineau State Park for boating and hiking, afternoons at area parks and lakes, or fishing and camping at Bayou Bodcau. With its blend of southern hospitality, recreational opportunities, and modern conveniences, Haughton is an inviting place to call home.