Southern Baptist Convention president Johnny Hunt is calling on all SBC churches to set aside Sunday, Jan. 31, as a day of prayer “specifically for our denomination.”
Johnny HuntIn a “First Person” column published by Baptist Press, Hunt said the reputation of SBC churches today is akin to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-5. “Jesus commended them for doing many good things, but called them to repent,” Hunt wrote.
“Baptism rates are down, divorce rates are up, and too many families are falling apart. We’re busy doing church, but we have lost our connection to the power of Almighty God.”
“We live in unprecedented times, with Christian and moral foundations rapidly crumbling before our very eyes. Meanwhile, many Christian churches, which should be a mighty force ready to spread salt and light in this dark world, are unprepared. God’s glory has been set aside while other things have overshadowed our first love.
“Since God requires humility, confession and complete dependence on Him before granting healing to a land, it is time to ramp it up a notch [with a day of prayer].”
Hunt said he issued the call for prayer in response to a request from leaders at the North American Mission Board in light of the ongoing meetings of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force, the launch of GPS (God’s Plan for Sharing), and the concurrent presidential searches at the SBC Executive Committee, the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board. – BP