Former Georgia Baptist executive director dies

UNION CITY, Ga. — James H. “Jim” Griffith, 89, executive director emeritus of the Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC), died May 7 in Union City, Ga.

Griffith led the state convention for 11 years, from 1981 to 1992.

During his tenure churches’ gifts through the Cooperative Program more than doubled while the state missions offering more than tripled. The convention also expanded its work in church planting and language missions, with the number of Georgia Baptist churches growing from 2,977 to 3,282.

Griffith was pastor of Beech Haven Baptist Church, Athens, Ga., for 14 years as well as First Baptist Church, St. Simons Island, and First Baptist Church, Gray, both in Georgia, and pastor of a church in North Carolina. He served two terms as president of GBC during his 24 years in the pastorate and twice was elected as GBC first vice president.

Griffith earned degrees from Mercer University in Macon, Ga., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.; and Luther Rice Seminary in Lithonia, Ga. He is survived by his wife, Mildred “Mimi,” three daughters and one granddaughter.

(BP)