LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — J.D. “Sonny” Tucker was elected executive director-treasurer of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) at the Dec. 4 meeting of the ABSC executive board. He officially begins his duties Jan. 1.
Tucker, 53, replaces Emil Turner, who announced Aug. 2 his intention to retire in 2013. Tucker has served as team leader of the convention’s evangelism and church growth team since 1997. Turner has served as executive director since 1996.
Don Blackmore, discipleship pastor at Central Baptist Church, Jonesboro, Ark., who serves as chairman of the ABSC operating committee, said Tucker possesses qualities the committee was looking for in a new executive director.
Tucker said following his election he wants to continue “the great foundation that Dr. Turner has laid” working with Arkansas Baptist churches.
He said he wants to see Arkansas Baptists make “big strides” in evangelism, missions and church planting.
“Arkansans know Arkansas Baptist convention churches are kind, gracious and caring. I want [them] to know that we stand for Jesus and the Word of God and that we really, really love folks,” Tucker said. “We want to stay focused on Arkansas, with a strong sense of family and a strong sense of partnership with the churches.”
Tucker said he believes Arkansas Baptists must develop personal evangelism skills and reach out through event evangelism to effectively reach people in the 21st century with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He and his wife are members of First Baptist Church, Benton, Ark., and have two grown children.
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