Living in obedience to God's Word.

OUR PASTOR

Reverend Samuel C. Lofton, Jr.

Pastor - Teacher

Reverend Samuel Calvin Lofton, Jr. is the newly installed Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A native of DeRidder, Louisiana, he is the son of the late Samuel C. Lofton, Sr. and Modest Lofton. Pastor Lofton is a proud graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a committed member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

MINISTERIAL JOURNEY

- Pastor of Education, Good Hope Baptist Church (Lafayette, LA)
- Bible Instructor, Second Baptist Church & New Hope Baptist Church (Baton Rouge, LA)
- Accepted Pastoral Leadership at New Hope Baptist Church, Baton Rouge – May 25, 2025

LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

- Director, Young People’s Department – Greater Louisiana Baptist Convention
- Director, Young People’s Department – Seventh District Missionary Baptist Association
- Dean of Youth – Seventh District Congress of Christian Education
- Instructor – National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., Congress of Christian Education
- Motivational speaker and mentor in schools, civic, and social organizations

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY

- Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – Zeta Xi Chapter
- Currently pursuing Master of Divinity – Baptist Missionary Theological Seminary, Jacksonville, TX

PASTOR EMERITUS

Reverend Leo D. Cyrus, Sr.

Pastor - Teacher

Reverend Leo D. Cyrus, Sr. is the newly retired Pastor of New Hope and the Second Baptist Churches. He is survived by his late wife Deloris Morris Cyrus; to that union they have three sons, Leo Jr., Michael, and Kevin. He is also the proud grandparents of seven grandchildren.

PASTORAL HISTORY

- New Hope Baptist Church (1976 to 2025)

5856 Greenwell Springs Road Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806

- Second Baptist Church (1983 to 2025)

930 North Acadian Thruway West Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802

SPECIAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

- President of the Greater Louisiana Baptist State Convention

- 1st Vice President of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education

- Member of the Federation of Churches and Synagogues

- Board Member of the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging

- Board Member of EBR Re-Development Authority

- Advisory Council Member for Eden Park Elementary School