SBC answers call to evangelism, family
by Todd Starnes Vol. XIV, No. 6, June/July 2001
More than 1,200 people were won to the Lord as hundreds of Southern Baptists answered the call of Jesus Christ to share their faith during the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention June 12-13 in New Orleans. The 144th meeting of Southern Baptists at the Louisiana Superdome included 9,561 messengers from 48 states and featured spirited gospel singing, fiery preaching, and a focussed message on faith and family.
SBC President James Merritt described the spiritual opposition Christians are facing in America. "There are battles raging outside of this arena, and we need to be on the frontlines," he said in his June 12 presidential address, referring to the battle for the souls of men and women.
Merritt led an evangelical charge of Southern Baptists bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to the host city, as more than 1,000 out-of-town volunteers joined New Orleans Baptists in evangelistic events throughout the metropolitan area. In addition to one-on-one witnessing opportunities, Crossover events prior to the SBC annual meeting included block parties, door-to-door canvassing, special festivals, church services and a "Kindness Explosion" offering free water and other gifts to merchants and vendors in the French Quarter and public housing areas. NAMB officials reported more than 1,200 professions of faith as a result of Crossover efforts.
Tom Elliff, chairman of the Southern Baptist Council on Family Life, told messengers June 12 that "families will not be rescued because we think God owes it to us. Families in America -- and families in our convention -- will be rescued because we decide to do something about it." The council was established at the SBC meeting last year in Orlando, FL.
Elliff, a former SBC president and pastor of First Southern Baptist Church, Del City, OK, said the council's charge is to present a strategy for how Southern Baptists can not only strengthen their own marriages, but also proclaim to the nation they are family friendly. Elliff said a full report on the council's work will be completed next year.
Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, delivered a passionate and historic convention sermon to thousands of foot-stomping, hand-clapping messengers. Luter, the first African American to preach the SBC's keynote address, rocked the Superdome with a spirited plea for messengers to "Go!" "If we're gonna occupy until he comes, we need every member of every church of every size of every race of every city and every state to hear the cry of Jesus," said Luter, referring to the annual meeting's theme of "Until He Comes ... Go!" "Listen to the cry of the Master," Luter preached. "He's calling for laborers."
NAMB President Robert E. Reccord called on Southern Baptists June 13 to go on a "rescue mission" to save millions of people across the country. Reccord announced the availability of new media resources to support churches in presenting a message of hope in their cities.
Leaning on a cane and gripping the hand of his wife, International Mission Board missionary Charles Beaty listened to the staccato applause as it swelled into a standing ovation. Beaty and his wife, Christy, came to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting to challenge pastors and church leaders to go to the mission field. But they also had another reason for coming -- Beaty is dying of cancer and is seeking someone to take his place as a missionary in North Africa. "Is the Lord calling you to go to the people who have no voice?" Beaty asked. "Then my challenge is to go and not wait, because we are not promised tomorrow."
As part of the International Mission Board's presentation, a video depicting the Beatys ministry played on large screen projectors. "My challenge to you is to continue to go and to answer the call when [God] calls you," Beaty told SBC messengers.
Next year's SBC annual meeting will be June 11-12 in St. Louis. [BP]