by Joni B. Hannigan, posted Tuesday, June 06, 2006 (13 years ago)

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Preaching at Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville, N.C., SBC President Bobby Welch visited North Carolina churches in March and April to promote the Crossover Triad evangelistic outreach June 10-11 in Greensboro, N.C.Photo by Joni B. Hannigan/Florida Baptist Witness
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GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP)--Munching on nourishment from a complimentary buffet in a hotel lobby, Bobby Welch readied his final message in Greensboro, N.C., last April before he returns there for the Southern Baptist Convention’s June 13-14 annual meeting.
&nsbp; “Whether it looks like it or not, this is a very easy week,” Welch said, grabbing a cup of coffee and his Bible before climbing into the passenger seat of a waiting SUV.
Nearing the end of his second year as Southern Baptist Convention president, Welch, pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla., spent much of April and March traveling from the highways to the hollows of North Carolina in more than 100 meetings encouraging Baptists to be involved in evangelism.

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SBC President Bobby Welch drops to his knees to pray at Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville, N.C., where he is joined by Greg Mathis, the church’s pastor (left) and members of the congregation. Photo by Joni B. Hannigan/Florida Baptist Witness
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The message is pretty much the same wherever he goes: “Witness to, win and baptize.” Preaching from Luke chapter 16, Welch has repeatedly and passionately told the story of the rich man in hell who begged for Lazarus to dip his finger in water and touch his parched tongue.
Last year, Welch made history as SBC president when he completed a 50-state tour in 25 days, traveling primarily in a bus to launch his challenge to baptize 1 million people in a 12-month period beginning officially in October 2005 and ending the final week of September 2006. His rallying cry, “Everyone Can!” is a reference to his belief that all Christians are called to share their faith. Read More