The Courier has learned that Tom Tucker, pastor of Sisk Memorial Baptist Church in Fort Mill, will be nominated for president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention when messengers gather at Spartanburg First Baptist Church Nov. 10-11 for the SCBC annual meeting.
Dwight Easler, pastor of Corinth Baptist Church in Spartanburg and chairman of the SCBC Executive Board, will nominate Tucker, 56, who currently serves as first vice president of the state convention.
In a statement provided to The Courier, Easler praised Tucker’s “godly integrity” as a pastor and family man. Easler also cited Sisk Memorial’s “increased levels of Great Commission Giving” through mission offerings and other mission efforts.
Tucker is the “right person for this hour in our convention,” said Easler. “He will bring biblical leadership, vision, and a cooperative spirit to the table.”
Tucker served as president of the South Carolina Baptist Pastors’ Conference in 2005 and was chairman of the SCBC Executive Board in 2013. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.
A graduate of Campbell University, Tucker is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Covington Theological Seminary. He has served at Sisk Memorial since March 2010. In South Carolina, Tucker previously pastored Calvary Baptist Church in Rock Hill and New Hope Baptist Church in Pelzer. He also has served Baptist churches in North Carolina.
In April 2015, Tucker was invited to pray as a guest chaplain in an opening a session of the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a featured devotional speaker for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association offices. He founded Tom Tucker Ministries in 2000 for the purpose of training pastors in South Africa.
Tucker and his wife, Brenda, are the parents of two adult children and one granddaughter.
Dwight Easler’s statement:
It is my honor to nominate Tom Tucker, pastor of Sisk Memorial Baptist Church, for president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention for 2016.
There are several reasons that I believe Tom Tucker is the right man for such a time as this.
First, he is a person of godly integrity and character. He is a faithful follower of Christ. He is a faithful husband, father, pastor, friend, and servant leader to his church.
Second, he is a person who is unwavering in his belief in the inerrancy and authority of the Scriptures. He has exhibited this in his personal walk with Christ, his preaching ministry, and in his leadership.
Third, he is an Acts 1:8 evangelist. He leads his church and other churches in leading the lost to Jesus in their Jerusalem, Judea, and to the uttermost.
Fourth, he is a person who lives out 2 Timothy 2:1-2 by pouring his life into those who are called into ministry. Whether it is hosting an annual pastors’ banquet, preaching in the Pastors’ Conference, leading devotions for the staff of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, being a resource to a fellow pastor, encouraging a pastor as a guest revival speaker, or simply being an encouragement to a young leader, Tom is always ready to advance the Gospel by empowering and encouraging others.
Last of all, Tom Tucker believes in the Cooperative Program and the cooperative work of Southern Baptists. He has led Sisk Memorial to increase CP giving, along with increased levels of Great Commission Giving to Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong, and other mission efforts.
He has served faithfully as the president of the South Carolina Baptist Pastors’ Conference, the South Carolina Baptist Convention Executive Board as vice chairman and as chairman, and he is currently serving as the first vice president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. He is also serving as an Executive Committee member of the Southern Baptist Convention.
These reasons make Tom Tucker the right person for the hour in our convention. He will bring biblical leadership, vision, and a cooperative spirit to the table as we see God continue to work among us for His glory.
Sincerely,
Dr. Dwight Easler
Pastor, Corinth Baptist Church