DACULA, Ga. (BP)–From favorite vacation spots to watching movies, Southern Baptist Convention President and Atlanta-area pastor James Merritt’s taste in culture and literature is about as diverse as the nation’s largest evangelical denomination.
Following is a fact file on Merritt:
Birthplace: Gainesville, Ga., Dec. 22, 1952
Spouse: Teresa
Children: James Jr.; Jonathan; and Joshua
Conversion: Saved at the age 9, accepted the call to preach in 1974
Ordination: Licensed to preach Jan. 14, 1976, by Blackshear Place Baptist Church, Gainesville, Ga.; ordained on March 7, 1976, by First Baptist Church, Smyrna, Ga.
First ministry position: Minister of youth and activities at Blackshear Place Baptist Church, 1971
Books he’s currently reading: “Six Day War” and “April 1865”
Favorite restaurants: Chops and Cracker Barrel
Favorite music styles: gospel and country
Favorite music artists: Randy Travis, Rascal Flatts, Diamond Rio, Brooks & Dunn, The Eagles, Billy Joel
Favorite radio station: The FISH
Vacation spot: Panama City, Fla.
Last movie he saw: “The Rookie,” anxious to see “Spiderman”
Favorite preachers: Adrian Rogers, Jerry Vines
Sports teams: Georgia Bulldogs, New York Yankees, Boston Celtics
–30–
