On Tuesday, June 10,2008 I will have the honor of doing what many have wanted to do for the past 12 years. I will nominate Johnny Hunt as president of the Southern Baptist Convention. God woke me up at 3 a.m. several days ago and placed in my soul that I should nominate Dr. Hunt. He has at last consented to this nomination and believes God has called him to be nominated at this time.
The SBC has always needed strong leadership and we are in need of it now. The future demands a proven man to step up. Johnny Hunt has what it takes to do the job. This has been evident for a long time. Here are some of my reasons for nominating Brother Johnny:
- We must reach young leaders. In a day when many say the SBC is growing older and the younger pastors are not on board we need a man who readily identifies with and inspires young leaders. No other pastor in SBC life has done a better job at this than Johnny Hunt. His Timothy Barnabas Conferences have touched the lives of thousands of young men over the past years. Since 1987, through his ministry at FBC Woodstock, 314 people have answered the call to full-time ministry, Christian service and missions.
- Reaching the nations is the mandate of Southern Baptists. Johnny Hunt has the nations of the world on his heart. In 2006/07 FBC Woodstock gave $3,843,560 to mission causes around the world. They have planted 15 churches in 2007-08($330,000) and have planted 78 since 1987. He has a solid and growing commitment to the Cooperative Program ($467,000-2007) Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong ($175,000-2007). Woodstock partners with the IMB all over the world in direct mission work. They invested $1.8 million in mission projects last year.
- The SBC culture demands a strong leader. Here and now in 2008 we must be led by a man who can build bridges and bring us together in a Great Commission journey. I am convinced Dr. Hunt is the man for the mantle of leadership at this moment in the SBC.
- No man preaches in more SBC conferences than Dr. Hunt. People all across our denomination call on him to inspire others to go to all the world with the Gospel. This preacher is a God-anointed communicator. I am convinced we need him now more than ever to serve as our president.
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