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.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 at 9:51 pm and is filed under Bob Reccord. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.