FORT WORTH – The library of the late Adrian Rogers, one of Southern Baptists’ most admired preachers, has been given by his widow Joyce and the Rogers family to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
The donation includes 3,500 books, sermon notes, photographs, letters and desks of Rogers, a three-time president of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of the Memphis-area Bellevue Baptist Church from 1972-2005.
The seminary, in a statement, noted: “With the addition of this flagship collection to Southwestern’s library resources, future generations of scholars and pastors around the globe will be able to study the notes and sermons of a pastor who studied and wrestled with the Word of God prior to proclaiming it effectively from the pulpit.”
“Adrian Rogers is the greatest pastor and denominational leader whom I ever knew,” Southwestern President Paige Patterson said. “Together with Joyce, he modeled the relationship between husband and wife that I want every one of my preachers to have. I want to share this story of a great preacher with every successive generation.
“This library and study becomes the lynchpin for our Baptist heritage center and the center for expository preaching,” Patterson added. “I stand amazed at the foresight and kindness of the Rogers family.”
Craig Kubic, Southwestern’s dean of libraries, said, “Students and researchers will be able personally to examine the books and many files that informed the life, teaching and preaching of a giant in our denomination. Scholars will have the opportunity to understand the methodology Dr. Rogers used to formulate his sermons, which made such an impact on the Southern Baptist Convention and the world.”
Kubic added that Joyce Rogers “graciously gifted to Southwestern Seminary her personal scrapbooks in which she carefully documented each year of their life together with special attention to the accomplishments of Dr. Rogers. This uniquely personal insight will help scholars appreciate the monumental work and activities of Dr. Adrian Rogers.”
