NEW ORLEANS — The new endowed chair of Missions / Evangelism at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) has been named for Gary Taylor, former Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) evangelism director and a MBTS graduate who died May 29.
The chair has been operational since April 25, with $577,728 in funding contributed by the MBC. It has since grown to more than $1 million due to investments and other gifts. The naming of the chair for Taylor was made known here June 20 during the Southern Baptist Convention.
“The Gary Taylor Chair of Missions and Evangelism embodies the ideals of sharing the gospel in the Midwest and throughout the world,” said Midwestern Seminary Interim President Robin Hadaway.
Taylor, a former MBC president, served as pastor of First Baptist Church, O’Fallon, from 1989-2007 and MBC evangelism director for the last five years of his life. He began his ministry in 1963 when Dresden Baptist Church called him as pastor. He also served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Lamont, and at two other St. Louis-area churches, Tower Grove Baptist and Rock Hill Baptist.
The MBC has established the R. Gary Taylor Memorial Fund for Evangelism. Donations can be directed to the MBC, 400 E. High St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.