Authentic encouragement is essential to effective leadership. Therefore, as men who share your love and devotion to the mission and causes of South Carolina Baptists, we wanted to offer you a word of encouragement that has blessed our own lives with the hope that it will also be a blessing to you.
Recently, during our October Executive Board meeting at White Oak, our state convention president, Dr. Rudy Gray, delivered a powerful and heartfelt word from the Lord. He began his sermon by making an insightful statement. He said that Southern Baptists are going through a monumental “time of transition.” As the leaders of your Executive Board, we could not agree more with our president. Pick up any Baptist publication and you will see undeniable proof. Our two missions organizations, the IMB and the NAMB, are searching for new leaders. The longtime chairman of the SBC’s Executive Committee will soon be retiring. Our current convention president, Dr. Johnny Hunt, and the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force are involved in an important, and, to some, controversial investigation of the future of the Cooperative Program. Our seminaries are being forced to evolve rapidly to meet the needs of 21st century students. There is a steady decline in the overall percentages churches are contributing to the Cooperative Program. There are still unreached people groups who have never heard the gospel. Last, but not least, almost every statistic out there points to a continued decrease in the number of Southern Baptists.
Needless to say, with all of this on the hearts and minds of South Carolina Baptists, we believe it is the perfect time to offer a word of encouragement. What has been so encouraging to us? It is the man of God leading our state convention, Dr. Jim Austin. We also believe you, too, should be encouraged that God has called a man like Dr. Austin to lead our state through such a crucial time. Here are just a few reasons to be encouraged and thankful.
– Be encouraged and thankful that Dr. Austin has provided leadership and vision to our partners in ministry who serve within the convention. His leadership has resulted in a restructuring of our state convention to increase effectiveness and the formation of a new initiative leading South Carolina Baptists to Experience Kingdom Life.
– Be encouraged and thankful that Dr. Austin has led our state to be even more devoted to biblical stewardship during one of the most difficult financial recessions our country has ever faced. In an environment where Cooperative Program contributions are down 7 percent, his cost-cutting measures have led our convention to function over $1 million below budget, while maintaining a high level of missions and ministry throughout the state.
– Be encouraged and thankful that Dr. Austin is a pastor to pastors. During the tragic deaths of several Southern Baptists at the hands of an Upstate serial killer, Dr. Austin personally reached out to several pastors in that area to offer his prayers and encouragement. We continue to meet pastors who comment on Dr. Austin’s concern for them during difficult times.
– Be encouraged and thankful that Dr. Austin, driven by his passion for missions, is direct and honest about all aspects of our convention. He is not afraid to ask the difficult questions and evaluate programs and ministries by their effectiveness in reaching our state for Christ. He has also made our convention stronger by hiring gifted men and women to come alongside an already strong team of convention staff.
– Be encouraged and thankful that Dr. Austin was unanimously elected by our Executive Board over two years ago, and this group of committed ministers and laymen has remained unified behind his leadership and vision.
– Be encouraged and thankful that Dr. Austin’s passion for missions is rivaled only by his servant spirit and humility. He shuns personal recognition and provides a wonderful example of selfless leadership to the next generation of Southern Baptists.
– Be encouraged and thankful that Dr. Austin reserves time in his life to engage in personal soul-winning and ministry. Many do not know that every week he quietly goes to a local prison and leads a Bible study for inmates. Recently, he was asked to speak to those on death row.
– Finally, be encouraged and thankful that Dr. Austin feels a sense of calling to lead our state for many years to come.
South Carolina Baptists, as the leaders of your Executive Board, we want you to be encouraged, thankful and excited. Encouraged and thankful that God has given us his man to lead our state in reaching our neighbors, nation and world for Christ. Excited about a future of serving the Lord with and through the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
– David G. Anderson, Chairman of the Executive Board
Glenn Taylor, Vice Chairman of the Executive Board
Dennis M. Sartain, Secretary of the Executive Board, Vice Chairman of Planning and Ministries Committee
Ray Mims, Chairman of Planning and Ministries Committee
Dennis Wilkins, Chairman of Budget, Finance, and Audit Committee
Bill Gaines, Vice Chairman of Budget, Finance, and Audit Committee
John Charping, Chairman of Properties Committee
Eddie Fulmer, Vice Chairman of Properties Committee
D.J. Horton, Chairman of Administrative Committee
Wofford Caughman, Vice Chairman of Administrative Committee
James West, Chairman of Scholarships Committee
Chad Rickenbaker, Vice Chairman of Scholarships Committee