Dan Stringer, 3-time Baptist convention exec, dies

PHOENIX — Dan C. Stringer, who served as executive director of three Baptist state conventions, died Oct. 2. He was 80.

After serving the Northwest Baptist Convention as executive director-treasurer from 1971 until 1979 and retiring from the Florida Baptist Convention in 1989 after 10 years of service, Stringer went back to work as executive director-treasurer of the Arizona Baptist Convention in 1990 at a critical time for the state’s Baptists.

The convention had experienced declining Cooperative Program receipts and had a $3.6 million deficit in its Baptist Loan Fund. Stringer led the convention’s executive board in developing a 10-year plan to erase the deficit, and the goal was reached ahead of schedule.

During his tenure in Florida, Stringer recognized the state’s growing non-Anglo population. He created a language missions department and expanded program resources to train ethnic church leaders.

He also recommended the creation of an evangelism division and elevated its visibility and role in the convention.

Stringer also led in the expansion and development of Florida’s camps and assembly facilities.

Stringer was at the helm of the Northwest Baptist Convention during a time of tremendous growth. The number of churches increased 24 percent, baptisms by 37 percent and Sunday School enrollment by 28 percent. The growth of the churches extended to Canada, leading to the formation of the Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists.

Stringer also was instrumental in planning and raising funds to start the Pacific Northwest campus of Golden Gate Seminary, Vancouver, Wash.

Stringer was a graduate of Baylor University, Waco, Texas, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky.