Howard Baldwin to be Nominated

by T. C. Pinckney                                                                                          Vol. IV, No. 7, October 1991

The Banner has learned that in Salem on Tuesday, 12 November well-known Virginia evangelist Howard Baldwin will be nominated as the conservative choice for state president, Robert C. Jackson, Director of Missions in New River Association will be Nominated for first vice president, and Bob Sherrill, pastor of Peck's Baptist Church, Bedford, will be nominated for second vice president.

Baldwin, a native of Richmond, grew up and was ordained in Grace Baptist Church, Richmond. He graduated from the University of Richmond with a bachelor's degree in history in 1957 and from Southern Seminary in 1960 as a Master of Divinity. While attending the University of Richmond, he pastored Ragland Memorial Church. In addition he has been pastor of churches in Indiana, Illinois, and for three years in Bedfordshire, England.

For the last 21 years he has been a full-time evangelist, heading Multi-Media Evangelism, Inc. of Richmond. He has preached over 400 revivals in 21 states including 231 revivals in many different Virginia churches. Over the last 20 years he has led ten partnership crusades in England in which more than 1,000 Americans have gone to England as team members. Also, he has led partnership crusades in Nigeria, Korea, Argentina, and Brazil.

Howard is putting together his most ambitious missions project yet for next year. Named the William Carey Bicentennial Mission Crusade '92, the crusade honors the 200th anniversary of the meeting of William Carey with 12 others to found the first missionary society in England and which was the forerunner of all the missionary organizations we have today. From April 3 through the 18th fifty British teams, each with four members, will lead 100 American churches in preaching, witnessing, and soul-winning. During October 8-20 American teams will be leading in 100 British churches. (If you are interested in possibly participating, you can call 804-276-9083.)

Howard served on the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board for eight years where his responsibilities included being first vice chairman of the Board. Multi-Media Evangelism also has a deaf ministry which has produced Sunday School lessons in sign language that some 150 churches across the convention have used.

Howard and his wife, Christine, are members of Bethany Place Baptist Church in Richmond. Bethany Place contributes 13.8% of undesignated giving to the Cooperative Program with 50% specified for the Baptist General Association of Virginia and 50% for the Southern Baptist Convention. Christine Baldwin is a graduate of Mars Hill College in NC and is a descendant of Robert Baylor Semple, author of History of the Baptists in Virginia originally published in 1810.

Robert C. Jackson, Director of Missions in New River Baptist Association, was born in Bluefield and raised nearby in Princeton, WV. During his highschool years Bob was saved as while watching a Billy Graham telecast. Bob graduated from North Carolina State University in Raleigh with a bachelor's degree in geology in 1968 and then attended Lexington Theological Seminary, receiving a Doctorate of Ministry in 1972.

After graduation from Lexington he became principal of a Christian school in Florida, and then worked during 1973-76 for the Navigators in Atlanta. In 1976 Bob was called as pastor to Hedgesville Baptist Church in West Virginia where he served until he was called to his present position as Director of Missions of New River Baptist Association in 1983.

While pastor in West Virginia, Bob served on the executive committee of the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists and as moderator of Panhandle Association. Bob has been a member of the Virginia Baptist Committee on Boards and Committees, and in June 1989 he was elected to the SBC Executive Committee.

Bob is married to the former Sandra N. Smith. He and Sandra have three children: Jennifer, Joel, and Jeremy. Bob and his family belong to First Baptist Church of Galax. In 1990 First, Galax contributed over $33,000 to the Cooperative Program, 9.32% of undesignated receipts, and $10,000 to New River Association, an additional 2.76%.

Robert E. Sherrill was born in Bryson City, NC, and was saved in 1941 under the preaching of his grandfather who pastored Truett Memorial Baptist Church, Hayesville, NC. Bob served in the Air Force from 1947 until 1969 including a tour in Vietnam 1968-69.

While still in the Air Force Bob was called to preach in 1966. After retirement from USAF he attended Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, graduating in 1973 and then went to Southeastern Seminary 1974-1976.

Bob has pastored Peck's Baptist Church 8 1/2 miles south of Bedford, VA, twice: first from January 1973 through 1975. He then was called to Blantyre Baptist Church in North Carolina, but in July 1977 he was called back to Peck's where he has served since. Peck's is a small church in the middle of farming country. The 1990 state annual shows Peck's with a resident membership of 126. But though small in numbers, it is well to remember that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. And thus it is at Peck's.

Under Bob Sherrill's pastoral leadership Peck's Church is strong for the Lord. So far in 1991 19 have been baptized; a baptismal ratio of 1:6.63 resident members, and a ratio attained by few churches large or small. During the last year the Sunday School has grown 30%. In their 1991 budget the members of Peck's donate 10% to the Cooperative Program and will increase that to 11% in the 1992 budget.

Come to the state convention Tuesday and Wednesday, 12-13 November in Salem and vote for these three fine Christian leaders. Remember, voting for state officers is on Wednesday afternoon, so please do not leave before all the votes are complete. Pastors, arrange for someone else to take prayer meeting Wednesday night. You and your messengers MUST STAY to vote for these three Bible believing men.

Also, remember that the Baptist General Association of Virginia constitution provides that the president and two vice presidents, acting as a committee, appoint (1) the seven member Credentials Committee to function at each state convention, (2) the chairman of the Budget Committee, and (3) three members each year of the nine member Committee on Boards and Committees. Further, the president alone appoints the chairman of each standing committee and fills any vacancies occurring on any standing committee between sessions of the General Assembly. All three of these positions are critically important.

Be there Wednesday afternoon, all afternoon, and vote for these men who will work to bring Virginia in line with the wonderful changes the Lord is bringing about in the Southern Baptist Convention.