ST. LOUIS (BP)–Jack Graham, pastor of the Dallas-area Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, was elected June 11 by acclamation as president of the Southern Baptist Convention at the SBC’s June 11-12 annual meeting in St. Louis.
Nominated by Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Ga., Graham continues the 23-year trend of theological conservatives elected as president of the United States’ largest non-Catholic denomination.
“There’s a fresh new wind blowing in our convention, especially as it pertains to taking the gospel to the nations,” Hunt said. “With this in mind, I’m encouraged with the privilege to present the nominee” for president of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Saying that Graham is “no stranger to Southern Baptists,” Hunt noted Graham had led Prestonwood Baptist Church to give $1.2 million last year to missions causes.
Prestonwood has more than 12,000 people in its worship services weekly. He is married with three children and is a published author.
Graham will be eligible for nomination to another one-year term as SBC president next year in Phoenix at the SBC’s 2003 meeting.
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