NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Bobby Welch, pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla., was re-elected to a second one-year term as president of the Southern Baptist Convention June 21. There were no other nominations for the office.
“A prophet has been among us,” said evangelist Junior Hill, a messenger from West Meade Baptist Church in Decatur, Ala., in nominating Welch. “Seldom has any man risen … more fitted to the task at hand.”
Hill commended Welch for his “impeccable character,” his passionate leadership and for “focusing on the main task: winning the lost to Jesus Christ.” Hill concluded by saying Welch’s “untiring passion for the unsaved” is needed again in the coming year.
During his first term as president, Welch crisscrossed the nation to promote “The ‘Everyone Can’ Kingdom Challenge!” to unite Southern Baptists around evangelism, with a goal of Southern Baptist churches baptizing 1 million people during the 2005-06 church year.
Welch has been pastor of First Baptist in Daytona Beach since 1974 and is co-creator of the FAITH/Sunday School Evangelism Strategy widely used in Southern Baptist churches. He is a former president of the Florida Baptist Convention and a former SBC vice president.
Welch also is known for his “God and Country” speaking engagements and his support of pro-life ministries. He is a decorated Vietnam veteran and a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
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