Slate of candidates for MBC offices finalized
By Allen Palmeri
Staff Writer
October 12, 2004
JEFFERSON CITY – The minister of music at First Baptist Church, St. Joseph, will be nominated to serve as recording secretary of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) in 2005.
Harvey Parker rounds out the slate of candidates endorsed by the Missouri Baptist Layman’s Association (MBLA). The nominees include: Mitchell Jackson, pastor, Miner Baptist Church, Sikeston, president; Ralph Sawyer, pastor, First Baptist Church, Wentzville, first vice president; and Jerry Williams, director of missions, Barry County Baptist Association, second vice president.
All four candidates will be nominated during the 170th annual meeting of the MBC scheduled for Oct. 25-27 at First Baptist Church, Raytown. The election of the new president is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. Oct. 26.
Parker has been the bi-vocational worship leader at First St. Joseph from 1970-1981 and 1997 to the present. A dedicated churchman, he was ordained as a deacon at King Hill Baptist Church, St. Joseph, and served as chairman of the deacons at Patee Park Baptist Church, St. Joseph. He also served three years on the MBC Nominating Committee, including one year as chairman. He worked 23 years with Heartland Health System in St. Joseph, retiring as director of human resources.
“I would like to be able to assist in any way that I can to see that the Missouri Baptist Convention continues on a conservative course,” Parker said.
Jackson has served as senior pastor at Miner Baptist Church since June 1997. The church regularly leads the Charleston Baptist Association in baptisms. Jackson currently serves the convention as first vice president under MBC President David Tolliver, pastor, Pisgah Baptist Church, Excelsior Springs.
Sawyer has been pastor at First Wentzville for five years. Before that he shepherded 11 years at Hallsville Baptist Church. He now is second vice president on the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Board of Trustees. He also has served on the SBC’s Committee on Nominations.
Williams is in his sixth year as director of missions in the Barry County Association. He previously was the pastor at Arnhart Baptist Church in the association.
“Mitch has served as first vice president the last year and has done an excellent job,” said Roger Moran, research director for the MBLA. “Mitch, Ralph and Jerry all have the full support of the association.
“These men are solid, conservative individuals. They all love the Lord and will continue to move the convention in the spiritual and theological direction we’ve been moving.”
As of press time there were no other known nominees for the convention’s four offices.