HADERA, Israel (BP)–Southern Baptist Convention President Bobby Welch sustained minor injuries Nov. 29 in a traffic collision near Hadera, Israel, while visiting Southern Baptist work overseas.
Welch, longtime pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla., was traveling in northern Israel with six other passengers when the accident occurred. He was examined at a hospital emergency room in Hadera, north of Tel Aviv, for bruises. He reportedly planned to continue his international trip, which will include stops in several other countries.
Clyde Meador, executive vice president of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board, also was in the vehicle and sustained a minor leg injury. Both were released after examination.
Other passengers in the vehicle included International Mission Board trustee chairman Tom Hatley, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Rogers, Ark.; Bill Bangham, IMB director of photography; Eric Turner, the board’s director of electronic media; and two Southern Baptist workers who live in the region.
No one else in Welch’s party was injured in the accident, which reportedly involved at least two other vehicles. Meador, Hatley, Bangham and Turner all planned to accompany Welch on his continuing overseas trip.
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