Cox looks back on year as state convention president

Despite record-breaking hurricanes and widespread need like never before, Alabama Baptists have felt the calm in the midst of the storms — and have welcomed others into that calm as well, according to Henry Cox, president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
   
“In the midst of all the disasters, my year has been a year of great satisfaction as I have viewed the work of Alabama Baptists. It has been a year of joy as I have participated in that work,” said Cox, pastor of First Baptist Church, Bay Minette. 
   
Not many pastors get to have their flock expand by thousands overnight as his did when he took office in November 2004. 
   
And of those who have, few have had the opportunity to see countless fellow Baptists step up as adversity comes — and is overcome — as Cox has seen with hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
   
“It was not a surprise, but one of the most noticeable qualities drawn out of state Baptists by the storms was the tremendous generosity in giving to disaster relief,” he said. “We have simply gone above and beyond — Alabama Baptists have opened their hearts and have been so generous.”
   
Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said Cox’s leadership over the past year has been a representation  of “the very best of Alabama Baptist life.”
   
“Henry Cox is a consummate Alabama Baptist statesman who has given us exemplary leadership this past year,” Lance said. “His commitment to missions and evangelism is unquestioned. His church has perennially set the example for Alabama Baptists in giving through the Cooperative Program. He is an experienced pastor, as well as an association and state convention leader.”
   
Cox, who has served First, Bay Minette, since 1981, was elected state convention president without opposition at last year’s annual meeting. His election came on the heels of four one-year terms in the two convention vice president roles, making Cox the first Alabama Baptist in recorded history to have gone through the three offices in consecutive terms.
   
It’s a position he hasn’t taken lightly — his schedule shows that.
   
“I’ve gotten to get out among Alabama Baptists more than normal,” Cox said. “I’ve gotten to appreciate even more the work of all our entities by attending board meetings and other functions. I’ve gotten to go to pastors conferences and associational meetings, as well as be a representative of the state convention outside the state.”
   
But his schedule also shows something else — he’s a pastor at heart.
   
“Adjusting the schedule has been the biggest challenge, but I have been able to work it so I have not had to miss any Sundays out of the pulpit other than those I would normally miss. My church has been totally supportive and very gracious, and I have been able to do my work as pastor and still serve as state president,” Cox said.
   
His Nov. 15 sermon at the 2005 Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting at Whitesburg Baptist Church, Huntsville, will be aimed at his Alabama Baptist congregation — and will be on the subject of revival.
   
“I believe revival is going to occur one believer at a time, and I pray we will each make choices that will lead us to a place of renewal and revival in the Lord,” he said.
   
At the annual meeting, Cox will be presented for re-election. He is currently unopposed.
   
“It’s been a wonderful year in a lot of ways. I have been able to make new acquaintances and renew old ones,” Cox said. “It has been wonderful being among brothers, sisters, peers and colleagues in Kingdom work.”
   
He added that it has been a year of joy for him as he has been able to sense and share the vision of what the Lord is doing through His churches in Alabama.
   
“I deeply apreciate the work of Alabama Baptists as a state convention,” Cox said. “The high level of cooperation among churches and their support of the Cooperative Program is part of one of the great strengths we have — our unity.” (Jennifer Davis Rash contributed)