Several days before the Southern Baptist Convention I wrote the following to a number of people I know…

Today, I am reflective of many years of my journey in ministry. During most of those years, I found myself during this season headed to the Southern Baptist Convention. Historically, most of those years there were no more than a couple of men running for President with only one having the support of the major leaders. Today, there are six men running for the role. And frankly, I believe that to be very healthy.

I am sure all six men are wonderful men. I have known Avery Willis, for over twenty-five years, and he babysat for my oldest daughter one night. Now, that requires a special guy. And I have loved and respected him ever since! No one knows international missions better than he does! Frank Cox has built a strong church in Atlanta and I have had the privilege of preaching there. I have been with Wiley Drake on numerous occasions and he has never lacked for passion and energy to be involved and contribute to Baptists and beyond. In addition, there are two men with whom I am not personally acquainted.

However, one man I know extremely well…Johnny Hunt. He is my pastor, a great friend and supporter, and a leader of leaders. I want to mention just a few of the many, many strengths I see in this man…

• Last year FBC Woodstock gave $3.8 million to total mission causes with $3.3 of it going to Southern Baptist causes exclusively. Frankly, for me, the percentage is not the issue. The impact and Kingdom advance is.
• From first hand knowledge, I have watched FBC Woodstock plant 78 churches over the last 15 years. Johnny supported early on the vision of Strategic Focus Cities which I implemented at the North American Mission Board, which resulted in Woodstock planting 4 healthy, large and growing churches in Las Vegas as well as works in New York and, soon, San Diego.
• FBC Woodstock has raised up 130 missionary families
• Right at 800 FBCW members were doing mission projects in 38 countries this last alone.
• Woodstock’s ministry to pastors-ministers and their wives called Timothy/Barnabas has seen 12,000 attend over the last 16 years and in now in 18 countries. In those countries where mostly men attend, and they have seen approximately 5000 in attendance. I supported and participated in Timothy/Barnabas while I was at NAMB because I saw first hand its impact in ministry marriages, impact, and convention participation…and I would do it again.
And in a day when we see ministry families coming apart at the seams, Johnny and Woodstock established The City of Refuge for hurting families going through trauma in ministry. Their goal has been restoration—first to Christ, then to family, and finally to meaningful contribution in whatever God directed their steps toward. The “what” has never been Johnny’s call (only Christ’s), but the “how” has been love, grace, accountability and restoration. And approximately 130 families have been on the receiving end of such grace.

While I am surely not a prophet, nor the son of one…and while I am not qualified to know all of the issues, I would say these are awfully strong qualifications for leadership that demonstrates a passionate evangelistic and missions heart to lead the SBC denomination through strategic change at this very critical time. So, as we stand on the verge of Southern Baptists gathering in Indianapolis, I invite you to join me in prayer that God will direct the steps of those making important decisions…after all, the future course depends on it. And may God bless each man running and their ministry.

Today, I would commend every man that threw his hat in the ring, feeling a leadership to offer his service in leadership of Southern Baptists. To Johnny Hunt I would say CONGRATULATIONS. Southern Baptists need your strength and passion for change in this critical time.

I just returned from a church I had the privilege of pastoring several years ago—Bell Shoals Baptist Church in the Tampa area. They dedicated a beautiful new worship center seating approximately 3400. The soothing colors are at once restful and inviting. The jumbo screens are high def and the sound is quality. Move to the music suite and rehersal room and you will love the airy feel, the live sound and screens that can show you what is happening in the worship center while practicing in the rehearsal area.

But I don’t think the real dedication occured this weekend. Rather, it was launched through both triumph and tragedy…in combination. On April 20, due to the extremely gracious invitiation of Dr. Forrest Pollock, I had the privilege of preaching the last messages in the former worship center built in the early 1980s. Seven days later Forrest led them triumphantly into their beautiful new house of worship. On that day it was truly “dedicated” as he preached on how anyone could know for certain they are in relationship with Jesu Christ and why being a part of a church was important. And as a result well over 100 people responded to the invitation time that Sunday. That was the Triumph.

God blessed his days of new journey into the long awaited celebration of new opportunities. Things could not have brighter until the day of May 12, when Forrest and his outstanding 13 year old son, Preston, were lost in a tragic plane crash in North Carolina. They would find them May 13. The church would gather to pray on Wednesday night the 14 when over 3200 from the church and community gathered in sorrow and people and the memorial service would be May 17. Between the prayer gathering, the Memorial service on Saturday and services on Sunday the 18th well over another 100 people made decisions for Christ. And so, through the terrible tragedy many lives were radically transformed.

So, as I was honored to attend the “official” dedication…the dedication of transformed lives was what truly committed the facility to God’s glory. And out of tragedy…and triumph …a legacy lives on.

I know Forrest would be thankful for how God is being glorified…even through his and Preston’s tragic death. How fitting that the building program emphasis was focused on giving God the greater glory. And in the midst of such a devastating loss I salute Forrest’s incredible wife Dawn, and his remianing 5 children as they move forward with life amidst the loss of an incredile husband and father! And may Bell Shoals Baptist move forward to such heights as it has never known.