Speaking at an evangelism conference in Missouri Feb. 19, former Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) President Bailey Smith declared. “The former presidents [of the SBC] have decided that Gerald Davidson should be first vice president, and Dr. Adrian Rogers has been asked to nominate him.”
Rogers will officially nominate Davidson, pastor of First Baptist Church, Arnold, Mo., at the June 15-16 annual SBC meeting in Indianapolis.
Davidson said it came as a bit of a surprise even though he knew he had been under consideration for the post in past years.
“All I can say is this: If that’s what the Lord would have for me, I’d be more than honored to be able to serve in that capacity,” said Davidson, 68.
Smith said he thinks Davidson will be unopposed, adding that the time has come to recognize the pastor’s efforts over the years.
“He’s taken a strong stand in Missouri,” Smith said. “He has not compromised. He has built a great work. He has certainly never wavered from what the conservative movement is about. We have some secret soldiers out there, but Gerald Davidson has been vocal in his opposition to liberalism and support for conservatism.
“We don’t want to just honor him, we really want a man that if indeed the president gets sick would take over with skill and integrity. I think that’s Gerald Davidson.”
During his tenure at First, Arnold, Davidson has seen the membership of the church grow from about 400 to more than 4,600.
(BP)
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