As an experienced preacher constantly looking for Sunday sermon illustrations that are fitting and effective, Mike Moody, pastor for the past seven years at Honea Path’s First Baptist Church, recognizes a good story when he hears one.
Mike Moody: “I want to highlight the success stories of what God is doing in our churches, especially in the areas of missions and evangelism.”It is no different now as Moody, the newly elected president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, still intends to make full use of his ear for good stories and to tell them, not to members of his congregation only, but to all South Carolina Baptists.
Moody, who was chosen president on Nov. 14 at the annual state Baptist convention at First Baptist Church in Taylors, told The Baptist Courier that a major item on his agenda for the coming year will be to “highlight the success stories of what God is doing in our churches, especially in the areas of missions and evangelism.”
“I want to expand the awareness of all South Carolina Baptists about these successes,” he said, noting that he wants to gather stories of accomplishments for building the kingdom of God in our state from churches of every size and location.
In an interview with the Courier, Moody spoke in general terms about his presidential year, explaining that in meetings during the coming weeks with other convention officers, along with talks with executive director-treasurer Carlisle Driggers, the theme for his presidency will be set.
While working on the details of a presidency that began when the convention ended its Nov. 14 session, Moody is clear about his intentions to be “an advocate and encourager,” especially for an emerging younger generation of ministers and laity who are taking leadership positions in the churches and denomination.
“In telling the story of South Carolina Baptists,” Moody said, “we need to reflect the excitement of what this younger generation is doing, and to encourage them to feel good about who they are and where they are headed.”
Moody believes that “a lot of these young people want to be a part of something great,” but that “infighting” and other forms of strife within the convention “have driven some of the younger men away from the pastorate and away from involvement in denominational life.”
As president, Moody said he “wants to get these younger guys connected to the convention” and to “build bridges of cooperation” between the older and younger generations of church and denominational leaders.
With his term of office occurring during a period of transition in South Carolina Baptist life, Moody will become the first president in 15 years to work with a new executive director – after he presides over the special session of the South Carolina Baptist Convention that elects him. Messengers will be called on to elect a successor to Carlisle Driggers, who is retiring at the end of February from the top convention position.
Moody, who has served for the past five years on the convention’s Executive Board and as chairman of the budget, finance and audit committee, wants to use that experience to “help the new executive get his feet on the ground and to make a successful start to what should be a long and successful ministry among us.”
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