McKeever reaches 2,000 cartoons in Baptist Press

NASHVILLE — Alabama native Joe McKeever has held a lot of day jobs — secretary, pastor, denominational worker and now, in “retirement,” itinerant preacher and seminary professor. But perhaps he is best known for his hobby — cartooning.

McKeever’s mother gave him a pencil and paper when he was 5 years old, and he’s never stopped. When he was in the seventh grade, the teacher asked the class what they wanted to be when they grew up. “When I said cartoonist, they all laughed, and I was embarrassed,” McKeever said. “So I never said that again.” McKeever is still making people laugh, but not at him, at his cartoons. He has been drawing cartoons for Baptist Press each weekday for 12 years, and on Aug. 27 he reached a milestone of 2,000 cartoons in Baptist Press.

Countless visitors to Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meetings over the years have left the exhibit hall with their own likenesses in Joe’s trademark caricature style. And his annual cartoon series each January has helped thousands of pastors in their facilitation of the SBC’s January Bible study. But Baptist Press readers know him for his daily dose of humor that provides a fresh insider’s perspective on the SBC, a sentimental reflection from a grandfather or a poignant commentary on the church and pastoring. In other words, McKeever draws from experience. “Joe has a wonderful talent for cartoons and a spiritual gift for humor,” said Baptist Press Executive Editor Will Hall.

“God has given him a special lens to see the joy and uniqueness of situations and the ability to use pen, paper and coloring to brighten and enlighten people’s days.” With more and more people consuming information on the Internet, McKeever has kept up by posting his cartoons online through Baptist Press and on his own website, www.joemckeever.com, where he also blogs regularly.