More Missouri Baptists named to key roles at SBC’s Indy meeting
May 25, 2004
JEFFERSON CITY – More Missouri Baptists have been named to play a prominent role at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Indianapolis June 14-15.
SBC President Jack Graham has named Jeff Purvis, pastor of Westport Community Church in St. Louis, as chairman of the Credentials Committee. This will mark the second straight year Purvis, a member of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board, has served on the committee.
Other Missouri Baptists appointed to the committee include Jon Groves, associate pastor, Living Word Baptist Church, Poplar Bluff; and Jim Locke, pastor, First Baptist Church, Forsyth.
Missourians appointed by Graham to serve on the Tellers Committee include Larry Craig, pastor, Skyline Baptist Church, Branson; and Harvey Parker, music minister, First Baptist Church, St. Joseph.
Don Hinkle, editor, The Pathway, has been named lead reporter on the impending debate and vote on whether the SBC will sever its long-time relationship with the Baptist World Alliance. Managing editor Bob Baysinger and Staff Writer Allen Palmeri will also be covering convention events as they unfold for Baptist Press, the SBC’s news service.
This latest group of Missouri Baptists join a host of others named earlier.
Gerald Davidson, pastor, First Baptist Church, Arnold, and a former MBC president, will be nominated for first vice president of the SBC. It is anticipated that Adrian Rogers, three-time SBC president and senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, Tenn., will nominate Davidson, who thus far, is unopposed.
Michael Whitehead, lead attorney for the MBC in its case against five rebel entities and the immediate past deacon chairman at First Baptist Church, Raytown, will serve as chairman of the Committee on Order of Business.
Jim Wells, director of missions, Tri-County Baptist Association, will serve as registration secretary for the meeting.
Mauricio Vargas, MBC Hispanic catalytic missionary, will offer a prayer and vocalist Buddy Lee of Kansas City, will offer a message in song during one of the convention’s sessions.
Messengers also will be asked to approve nominees Mitchell Jackson, pastor, Miner Baptist Church, Sikeston and MBC first vice president, and Bruce McCoy, pastor, Canaan Baptist Church, St. Louis, for slots on the powerful Committee on Committees.