November 24, 1999
W.A. Criswell
___By Toby Druin
___When W.A. Criswell assumed the pastorateof First Baptist Church of Dallas Nov. 19, 1944, the Baptist Standard described him as one who was "gifted, humble, deeply spiritual and has a passion for souls."
___The description fit him for more than a half century, as he
W. A. CRISWELL became a dominant voice in Texas Baptist and Southern Baptist life. Evangelist Billy Graham may have been the best-known Southern Baptist in the world over the last half of the 20th century, but Criswell--Graham's pastor--without question was the dominant pastor of the era.
___A native of Eldorado, Okla., Criswell grew up near Texline, where his father was a cowboy and barber. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1927 and earned a bachelor's degree at Baylor University and master's and doctor of philosophy degrees at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He met and married his wife, Bessie Marie Harris, a young schoolteacher who was a member of his congregation, in a student pastorate.
___Criswell was the pastor of First Baptist Church of Muskogee, Okla., when he was called to Dallas to succeed the legendary George W. Truett.
___"Can you imagine a boy in Muskogee, Okla., being called to follow the great George W. Truett?" he said in an interview with the Baptist Standard.
___In his first message to the church, Criswell said he had dreamed of walking into a congregation grieving over Truett's death and of being approached by Truett, who said to him, "Remember, you must preach to them out of your heart."
___He put his heart into more than 50 years of preaching and pastoring in the historic sanctuary at the corner of San Jacinto and Ervay in downtown Dallas.
___Under his leadership, the church solidified its position as the largest in the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Southern Baptist Convention and often led both conventions in baptisms. In l982, responding to Criswell's challenge, the church gave more than $1 million to the Cooperative Program and had 1,034 baptisms.
___Criswell was president of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1968-70, and while he never has been president of the BGCT--he has never permitted his nomination--he has served in many other denominational roles. In the SBC, he was a member and chairman of the Sunday School Board and also served as a trustee of the Annuity Board. He served on the Executive Board of the Texas convention as well as on the boards of the Baptist Standard, Baylor University and Dallas Baptist University.
___He has preached in many countries and on most state convention and evangelism conference programs and for many years was a featured speaker at the Southern Baptist Pastors' Conference.
___Many aspirants to the U.S. presidency made it a point to be in Dallas during their campaigns and sit under Criswell's preaching. In 1976, Criswell endorsed Gerald Ford for the presidency.
___He has written many books and was editor of the Criswell Study Bible, but his greatest love always has been being pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas. He once said it was his desire to be called to heaven from the pulpit of the church.
___"Wouldn't that be a great place from which to ascend into heaven?" he asked.
___
___Toby Druin is an editor emeritus of the Baptist Standard in Dallas
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