ST. LOUIS (BP)–President George W. Bush will address the Southern Baptist Convention live via satellite on its opening day in St. Louis, June 11, SBC President James Merritt announced June 7.
The president is scheduled to speak between 9:45 and 10 a.m. that Tuesday, Central time.
“I am very gratified that the president of the United States would take time out of his busy schedule to address the Southern Baptist Convention,” Merritt said. “We, as Southern Baptists, are praying for President Bush during these difficult days. We thank God for the great leadership he’s giving to the country. We’re especially grateful for the character and virtue that he has brought to his office. We’re especially thankful to the Lord for his love for Jesus Christ. And we eagerly look forward to hearing from him in St. Louis.”
Merritt, pastor of the Atlanta-area First Baptist Church, Snellville, added that the president “will be speaking to a group that is probably among his strongest prayer partners. I have every faith that both President Bush and the messengers will be mutually encouraged by his addressing our convention.”
Bush’s father, President George Herbert Walker Bush, also addressed the SBC during his presidency, in 1991.
Introducing Bush from the SBC podium will be Tim Goeglein, special assistant to the president and deputy director of the White House Office of Public Liaison. Goeglein formerly was U.S. Sen Dan Coats’ director of communications.
The SBC’s June 11-12 annual meeting also will be carried over the Internet at www.sbcannualmeeting.net.
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(BP) photo posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo title: PRESIDENT BUSH.
