Smith named editor of Florida Baptist paper

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — James A. Smith Sr., who has served as an administrator at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary since 1997, has been named executive editor of the Florida Baptist Witness, the official newsmagazine of the Florida Baptist Convention.

Smith, 37, succeeds Michael Chute, who will join the faculty of William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Miss., in early February. Chute, who announced his resignation last November effective Feb. 5, will chair the college’s department of communications.

The Florida Baptist Witness’ board of commissioners unanimously elected Smith on Jan. 23. Smith began his duties with theWitness on Feb. 5.

Smith has served as director of public relations at the Louisville, Ky., school since 1998 and previously was director of news and information. Before joining the Southern Seminary public relations staff he served as director of news and information at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo., from 1995-97.