November 5, 2001
VERNON MCBRIDE CAMPBELL
Campbell, McBride & Vernon elected BGCT officers
___DALLAS--Bob Campbell, pastor of Westbury Baptist Church in Houston, was elected president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas by acclamation Oct. 29.
___Campbell was nominated by Phil Lineberger, pastor of Williams Trace Baptist Church in Sugar Land. Lineberger described Campbell as "a man of integrity" who has "a strong spiritual backbone" and is "trustworthy."?
___A veteran Texas Baptist pastor and denominational leader, Campbell has been pastor of the Houston congregation since 1991.
___He previously was assistant professor of Bible and Greek at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, where he also served as chairman of the biblical studies division and chairman of the Bible department. In addition, he served as director of religious activities at HPU before becoming a member of the faculty.
___Campbell has been a member of the BGCT Executive Board since 1993, serving as chairman from 1995 to 1997. Last year he served as chairman of the BGCT's Seminary Study Committee.
___He is a 1961 graduate of Louisiana College and earned two degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
___Serving with Campbell will be First Vice President Paul McBride and Second Vice President Steve Vernon.
___McBride, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in The Colony, was nominated along with Loren Johnson, a vocational evangelist from Bryan.
___Vernon, pastor of First Baptist Church of Levelland, was elected by acclamation.
___Other officers were elected without opposition. They include Roger Hall of Dallas, recording secretary; Irby Cox of Grand Prairie, registration secretary; and Eugene Greer of Dallas, secretary of the corporation.
___In a news conference after his election, Campbell said he wants to emphasize partnership missions and theological education among Texas Baptists.
___"One of the best things Texas Baptists do is to partner with other Baptists of like faith and order," he explained. "Everywhere we can find a partner, we will reach out to them and help serve Christ in whatever capacity we can."
___He noted that Texas Baptists have "partnered all over the world," citing examples from Australia, Brazil, Latvia, Russia and Germany. And BGCT leaders are seeking to develop a partnership with Baptists in Mexico, he added.
___The BGCT will continue to be "old-line, traditional Baptists," Campbell asserted. "We have always been that, we will continue to be that, and we will continue to voice the interpretation of Scriptures and allow for some dissent. I believe all Texas Baptists believe in the Bible. Though some may interpret it differently, we can agree on missions and our purpose."
___He also expressed strong support for theological education in Texas, notably through Truett Theological Seminary in Waco, Logsdon School of Theology in Abilene and the Hispanic Baptist Theological School in San Antonio. Campbell chaired the BGCT Seminary Study Committee that led BGCT messengers last year to redirect funding from the six Southern Baptist seminaries to the Texas theological schools.
___"We need to prepare men and women to go out and serve Christ around the world, not just here in Texas," he said. "We want to reach beyond our borders."
___Acknowledging that the BGCT had experienced decreased giving during 2001, he voiced his hope for increases in gifts in the future to benefit Texas Baptist theological education.
___"We had certainly hoped for more. As churches see the need to fund their own students, and if they feel the need to go to another seminary, let's not make that choice based on money. A seminary might be cheaper, but there may be a reason it is cheaper."
___Some observers have blamed the lowered giving on a slow but steady defection of churches from the BGCT to the rival Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, which was holding its annual meeting simultaneously in Fort Worth. Campbell told reporters he harbored no ill will toward the other convention.
___"I wish them well," he said. "This morning I led a prayer in a meeting and prayed that God would bless them. I want them to do what they feel God has called them to do, (but) I've been elected to lead this group. I'm going to do the best I can to lead the BGCT to meet the priorities that have been set for the 21st century. There's enough work in Texas for all Christians to do what God wants them to do."
___Campbell also noted his desire to let BGCT churches "set the agenda" of the convention during his tenure. "I want to speak to as many groups as I can and respond to what they would like to see happen in Texas. I would prefer they set the agenda.
___"The BGCT is going to provide what local churches need and have asked for," he said. "Specifically, we feel strongly about the Hispanic role in our state, and we're responding to those churches. We're going to always listen to our churches."
___Bob Campbell fields questions at a news conference after his election as BGCT president.Paul McBrideSteve Vernon
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