I was asked something one month ago that really has challenged my life and entire decision-making processes. Has that ever happened to you? I am sure it has. However, this one really rattled my cage.
 
One month ago last night, Johnny Hunt, a pastor friend of mine, called me and told me that he did not feel peace from the Lord on being nominated to be the next President of the Southern Baptist Convention. As strongly as he felt he was not that man, he stated to me, “I believe God wants you to be that man.” That was a huge bomb, a big-time, mega bomb! I felt that I had 100 pounds dropped on my chest that night.  
 
Through prayer processes, evaluation processes, confidential conversations, and the Holy Scripture, I believe God wants me to act upon the request to have my name placed in nomination to be the next President of the Southern Baptist Convention. What does that mean? It means I will be nominated for consideration, not necessarily become the next President. The convention messengers in our Annual Meeting in North Carolina this year will make that decision. Only God will determine if He wants me to serve in this capacity.
 
What do we do?  We pray…we do not run for President. We pray. We seek the Lord. We ask God to get the real truth out about my pastor’s heart. Sure, I am human. I have made mistakes in pretty well all of life. There are times I could have been a better husband, father, pastor, friend, or servant in this denomination of 43,000 plus churches. I will make more mistakes and prayerfully not the same ones. This is why I need people to pray.  
 
I am excited about what God is doing in my life and was before this possibility ever emerged 30 days ago.  My heart is to be God’s man above all. I want to do only what God wants me to do, nothing else. My heart is to advance the gospel of Jesus throughout the world.  My life and ministry all of these years testify to everyone that is what I am about. Perception may be this or that, people may write this or that, but the Lord and my people know that I resonate daily the church’s mission statement: Reaching Northwest Arkansas, America, and the World for Jesus Christ. This SBC possibility emerges as perhaps another way to help our church fulfill its mission through their Pastor serving this denomination as a volunteer for the next year and possibly two as its President.
 
Please pray for me as I conduct interviews along the way. Pray for those interviewing to hear and write what I state and believe. Pray for protection in every way through the next days in everything. Pray for my family to be protected. We are entering some possible new territories of influence in this world. If God is wanting it, Satan will fight it fiercely. In reality, it is all up to God. I am who I am, nothing else. I am becoming more what God wants me to be daily, I pray. If God wills it and the people affirm it, then we will do and accept what God does. At this time to be obedient, I must walk through the door to follow what God has put in my heart. 

Therefore, join me in praying for the will of God…my only true resting place.