Two Alabama Baptists garnered spots among 30 heroes of the faith honored June 6 as the inaugural class of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists’ (COSBE) Hall of Faith.
The inductees, 13 of whom are deceased, were elected by their peers after COSBE’s executive committee voted to launch the Evangelists Hall of Faith this year in conjunction with the group’s 50th anniversary.
Among those being honored during a banquet attended by more than 175 people at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Indianapolis were Billy Graham, George Beverly "Bev" Shea, Cliff Barrows and the late T.W. Wilson, all of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Alabama Baptists inducted were Junior Hill, of Hartselle, and Leon Westerhouse, of Birmingham, as well as former Alabama Baptist pastor Jerry Spencer, now an evangelist in Tennessee.
Hill was introduced by Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Ga., and a pastor adviser for COSBE. Describing Hill as a man of availability, creativity, destiny and humility, Hunt said his epitaph would read "Others."
When describing Westerhouse, Alabama Baptist evangelist Dean Forrest said, "I’ve never seen him sing when I couldn’t stand and say, ‘Leon, God’s all over you, brother.’ There is just something about it when Leon sings. The presence and power of God are there."
A plaque, trophy, Bible and an attaché case were presented to each living inductee by Brian Fossett, COSBE president, and Morris Chapman, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. The families of the deceased inductees will receive the plaque and trophy; some family members were present to receive them at the banquet.
"This night was incredible," Fossett said. "There was a room full of spiritual giants. They represented sacrificed lives and that which is found in Ephesians 4:11: ‘It was He who gave … some to be evangelists."
Fossett told the evangelists attending the banquet, "You’ve done a great work for God. You’re my heroes, each and every one of you. You represent millions of souls in the Kingdom and countless others who have been impacted."
Acknowledging the struggles faced by evangelists, Chapman said, "This is not a day that favors full-time evangelists, and I know it is not always easy."
But "the day of the evangelist I believe is going to come back. It has laid low for a while."
He also believes the invitation — the appeal to come to Jesus Christ — is making a comeback in Southern Baptist life, which will put evangelists "out in front of the parade" because "the gift of the evangelists is the gift of the invitation."
Along with the presentations of the inductees, the banquet featured a sermon by Hunt and entertainment by Alabama ventriloquist Geraldine Ragan and her sidekick, Ricky.
Forrest, COSBE’s music director, and Huntsville’s Bob Smith, COSBE’s assistant music director, led those attending the event in hymns and special music. Singing with Forrest were his wife, Gayna, and their son, Geoffrey.
Alabama Baptists also participated in the June 8 COSBE worship service. Hill was the featured preacher, while Sammy Gilbreath, director of evangelism for Alabama Baptists, shared his "Live Like You Are Dying" testimonial message.
During the COSBE business meeting June 9, the group voted to name two inductees to the Hall of Faith every other year.
In other business, Ron Herrod of Tennessee was elected president of COSBE and Smith was elected music director.
To see all the Hall of Faith inductees, visit www.sbcevangelist.org.
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