Executive directors of Baptist state conventions pray for SBC President J.D. Greear (left) and First Vice President A.B. Vines during an Aug. 20 meeting in Atlanta. Photo by Todd Unzicker.
From the moment our 2018 Convention convened, I have sensed that God is doing something unprecedented in our midst. With many of the changes we have seen in SBC leadership recently, that sense has only increased. Today we received news of Dr. Chuck Kelley’s upcoming retirement, which means that there are now five national entities seeking new leaders. I believe God is up to something that—if we are humble and faithful—can prepare us for greater days of effectiveness for the Great Commission.
Would you join me in a Day of Prayer and Fasting this Monday, October 8? I want us to plead with God that the search committees would seek—and find—God’s man to fill each of these important positions. And I would love for each of you to ask pastors in your state to do the same, calling their people to this Day of Prayer and Fasting.
Would you join me in praying:
· For wisdom for the search committee in assessing what is needed most for effective ministry in the 21st century
· For boldness for the search committee in asking the difficult questions
· For loving-kindness for the search committee as they interact with one another
· For favor, that God’s face would shine upon us as a people—not for our sake, but that Jesus’ name would be known to the ends of the earth.
Thank you for continuing to be faithful partners in ministry. I look forward to praying with you, shaking the throne of heaven and waiting with eagerness to see what our loving Father will do in response. Truly, I believe that he still wants to do more than we could ask or imagine.
In Christ,
J.D. Greear
President, Southern Baptist Convention
Pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, NC
