Jerold McBride: nominee for president

Jerold McBride, pastor of First Baptist Church of San Angelo for the past 25 years, will be nominated for a second term as president of the baptist General Convention of Texas. McBride will be nominated by Bo Baker, pastor emeritus of the Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving. Baker is a popular speaker, conference leader and evangelist throughout Texas and across the Southern Baptist Convention. He and his brother, Dick Baker, have conducted hundreds of revivals and continue to be busy in evangelism.

“I cannot imagine anyone who could have provided fairer, more courageous leadership to Texas Baptists over the last year than Jerold McBride. He has done an incredible job and I am honored to have the privilege of nominating him for a second term as our president,” said Baker.

“Jerold and I have been friends for years. My brother and I have held several revivals with him in Oklahoma and Texas as well as participating in the Oklahoma State Evangelism Conference when Jerold was Director of Evangelism in Oklahoma.” Baker added, “And Jerold McBride is a mission-minded, evangelistic pastor and these qualities have been evident in the leadership he has provided Texas Baptists as their president this year. He certainly deserves the traditional second term as our president.”

McBride said, if elected, he would continue to be open and inclusive in his appointments and leadership. “Our main concern for the next six years must be Texas 2000 — an intensive effort to reach every person in Texas with the gospel by the year 2000.” He added, “although some events of the past twelve months have been stressful, Texas Baptists have demonstrated a Christ-like spirit in unifying around the Person of Christ and missions. They are living proof that Baptist can love and respect each other and work together even though they do not always agree.”

The San Angelo pastor stated, “My prayer is that by serving Texas Baptist as their president has been and will continue to be a source of stability, vision, and cooperation. Texas Baptists are on the right track. They are keeping their focus on missions, and evangelism.” McBride concluded, “If elected to a second term, I will gladly serve. If not, I will continue to be a supportive and cooperative Texas Baptists.”

September 1994