The most important desired attribute for any leader is for that leader to be very CLEAR to those he is trying to rally towards a better future. In recent days, I have needed to revisit my journey that will result in my name being placed into nomination to be the next President of the Southern Baptist Convention. As matters have seemed to become cloudy, I have been and will always be clear. Just one more time I want to be very clear about what is on my heart if indeed I am elected. I have made this clear and will continue to make it clear in these days. The swirling and ever-changing events daily have verified to me why I am even doing this. In other words, it is clear, even though it is cloudy in the SBC world.

The very conditions in our nation, in our churches, and in our fellowship as a convention demonstrates THE GREAT NEED FOR A MIGHTY SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT OF GOD among us. I am speaking about the next great move of God that is Biblically-based, Jesus-centered, and Holy Spirit-controlled. Beginning with me and our church, we need this fresh and mighty touch of spiritual revival among us. As I have been faithful to issue and lead in this call in our church and nation for years, I want to invite all Southern Baptist leaders and churches to join me in praying for a spiritual movement in our lives and churches that will usher in the next great spiritual awakening in this nation. It has been over 100 years, since our nation has had this kind of spiritual awakening. Why is this important?

• The rejection of the biblical model of marriage between one man and one woman was demonstrated yesterday by the United States Senate through their rejection of a Marriage Amendment to our nation’s constitution. This is just ONE issue that shows where we are as a nation spiritually.
• The spiritual condition of our churches and denomination. Conflict is much more prevalent than unity. Evangelism is a "side issue", rather than the "main issue". Compromise with the culture is more vogue than having courage to engage it.
• The life and message of holiness is missing and non-appreciated, even to the point of moral compromise, all in the name of grace. Holiness needs to become the message, rather than license which is resounding loudly, and is an abuse of grace.

Until the church wakes up and repents of where we are spiritually, talk of evangelism regionally, in America, and the world will be limited. Unity will be non-existent. Holiness will be viewed as legalism. Prayer will not be our passion. Our churches and denomination need to remember, we are called to die to ourselves daily. Until we treat the root problem spiritually, we will only be treating the obvious symptoms which exist. Another reason I am willing to serve is …

My love for the church and the desire to see it always exist as the center of influence in our denomination. I have believed for years and led accordingly in every area of service I have ever had in this convention to resound with clarity the central place of the local church in this denomination. We must come back to believing and practicing that each church is autonomous in this denomination and chooses the level of how it voluntarily cooperates in all efforts of the SBC as the Holy Spirit leads them. Dr. James L. Sullivan, the former president of the Baptist Sunday School Board of the SBC (now Lifeway) wrote a book entitled, Rope of Sand with Strength of Steel. In this book this denominational statesman writes these words concerning our polity:

"Southern Baptists find any effort toward coercion offensive … If there were an effort toward coercion, the churches would balk. Baptists do not know how to work under instructions from higher levels … The local church is at the top of the organizational chart."

This is the root of our history and has been our strength all these years. These are the principles that make us as strong as steel, even though we are held together by a rope of sand. As a boy raised in a small church with 40-50 people in attendance who went back home to conduct my Dad’s funeral upon his sudden death in November, it was a smaller membership church that stood with us, loved us, and ministered life to us. The heart and soul of our convention are these kinds of churches, some smaller, and some larger in membership. I have never and will never forget the blessing of my church growing up and the smaller membership churches I have had the esteemed privilege to lead as Pastor. I want us to get to a point where we can move our resources of leadership and helps to service and revitalize as many churches in this convention as possible. What a man does in his local church and his local region tells the greatest story of his leadership capacity and story of his life. This is the hope for the future of our nation and denomination. Finally …

My passion is for our churches and this denomination to embrace the future with orthodoxy packaged in innovation. We have people who are declaring we must become more relevant and innovative. I agree, but we must not ever do so, sacrificing truth. We have others who may have helped fight the courageous fight over truth in our denomination and a few may tend to be hesitant in embracing more innovation. I believe firmly that orthodoxy and innovation can be married and must be married for the viability of any church and denomination in this 21st century. In fact, to the degree that orthodoxy packaged in innovation is done, will be the degree of our influence and effectiveness. Orthodoxy is not intimidated by innovation. Truth always stands the test of time. God has given us great favor with seeing so many young men and women who have surrendered to God’s call to full-time Christian service. They are building some great churches and ministries today, as well as others who are under the finest theological instruction in our generation through our seminaries. Friends, you know my commitment to this younger generation and our church’s commitment to building these young ministry leaders towards the future. This is our life as a church, yes, the true story of who we are, have been, and will be.

As Southern Baptists discover the kind of leader they desire to have over the next year, it is clear these are the matters I stand for, have talked about, have demonstrated before you, my church, and to my denomination in moments through which I have served in the past. I state again, as I have for years when discussing these kinds of subjects. A man of God and who he is can be seen by his personal walk, his family, his priorities, his faithfulness, his schedule, and the level of success he has led his church to experience both in health and growth over the course of years in relationship to the opportunity God has entrusted to him. Time tests everything.

This is a critical, crucial hour in the life of every, church and for our denomination. I love Southern Baptists and I love the Southern Baptist Convention. Yes, it would be a joy and honor to serve as President, but beyond that a massive responsibility. May God lead His people over the next few days.

We must pray for the will of God in these matters. In this, I resolve to rest.

My family has encountered several transitions in these past months. Nick and Meredith were married for one year on May 28. Peyton, our first grandchild, was born on September 22. Dad died on November 17. My niece, Kristy, and her husband, Rodney, had their first baby within the past month. The baby was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome, and they discovered yesterday little Macy will have to undergo open heart surgery within the next few weeks in Houston. My Mom sold her home and this past weekend moved into a rental home, awaiting decision concerning the future. With Mom’s transition and Macy’s challenges, the days have been wrenching for the family. Please pray for all of them, especially Macy and Mom.

Our family faces each one of these challenges with the reality that our God is with us. I was raised in a Christian home. Mom and Dad always took me to church, at least three times a week. It was a small Southern Baptist Church and on a great day would touch 40-50 people weekly. One of those events that emerged into our schedules weekly, was Wednesday night prayer meeting. We never missed. Perhaps it was in that setting as a child, even though I did not understand it all nor at times appreciated it all, that God instilled the need for and power of prayer in my life.

In a Training Union class on Sunday nights we studied as teenagers Dr. John Bisagno’s book called, The Power of Positive Praying. This book was the first book I had ever studied on prayer and my dear teacher brought it to life for all of us. Through a family, a church, and ministry to teenagers, I learned the value of prayer.

I entered into my personal relationship with Jesus Christ at a Saturday night youth prayer meeting at my home church. The little building still stands and I can take you to the very place where I knelt down and prayed for Christ to come into my life. From that point on, our small group of teenagers would gather in various settings just for prayer. Prayer is real in my life and has been for a long time.

I ask you to intercede in prayer for us right now as Jeana and I face the next week in our lives. On Monday, I speak at the Pastor’s Conference. I have been asked to address the subject in a break-out session: "Reaching the World Through Multi-Campus Churches". I conduct this break-out session in back-to-back one hour sessions next Monday morning. On Tuesday afternoon at 2:15 p.m. (EST), my name will be placed into nomination, by Dr. Johnny Hunt of Georgia, to be the next President of the Southern Baptist Convention. As of this moment, there are two other candidates who will also be nominated and who knows– there may be more. From this point of nominations being completed, the messengers attending the convention will vote. The issues appear to be complex, but the reality is they are quite simple. I do not testify I understand matters completely, but all I know is to continue to seek God in prayer.

Please mobilize the troops in our church to pray for us. I love you dear people of God. I only wish the Southern Baptist Convention had experienced the privilege to know you prior to next Tuesday. Regardless, what is most important is to pray. Prayer is our greatest tool to deal with the matters at hand.

From day #1 in this journey with you, I have told you, let’s pray and leave all in the Lord’s will. While much has changed since that day, our conviction has not.

Just pray.

This article was written to encourage those in the business world through the NWA Business Journal; as I reviewed my words “in print” yesterday, I determined they would serve as my blog today. My people connected to my church, other readers, and even those who are involved in the Southern Baptist Convention, need to be encouraged and challenged regarding these words.

-Summer is a great time to focus on your personal and professional goals. In order to accomplish these goals, you must have the right heart and motive. Be intentional about the kind of imprint you wish to leave on those with whom you work and live. No one desires to be like, be around, or become a person who is self-serving or someone whose actions are not representative of his or her words. This summer, set your focus upon three very important guidelines:

1. Focus on integrity in the workplace and wherever you are. Are you a man or a woman of integrity? Is there a gap between what you say and what you do? The writer of Proverbs stresses the priority of integrity by stating: “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” Proverbs 19:1
2. Focus on right living with your colleagues and your family. Treat others in every situation, as you would want to be treated. Do you respect those with whom you work and with whom you live? Do you honor those who are in authority over you at home and in the workplace? Refuse the lure of compromise, which only leads to wrong choices and results in wrong living. “He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness, and honor.” Proverbs 21:21
3. Focus on truthfulness. Would others consider you to be honest in your words and your actions? Are you considered reliable and trustworthy? No one wants to go anywhere with anyone who would say anything to get there. At the end of the day, truth is still a valuable necessity that can only come from one source, for He is Truth and He has no equal or replacement.“Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.” Proverbs 23:23

These are high goals for every professional and every person. These are worthy goals for every relationship. These guidelines bring life if pursued to their ultimate destination.

The value of people was demonstrated yesterday in our move into our new facilities at our Springdale Campus. I am very grateful for the outstanding leadership of staff and lay persons. Major actions had to be taken by all in order to insure so many things, of which, was pulled off in an outstanding way. Thanks to each one of you who paid the price to make yesterday special.

I want to thank four of our leaders who insured yesterday’s success. First, one of my top associates, Jeff Young. He led the staff and lay team to victory! Second, Greg Westmoreland, our Minister of Children, who received nosleep at all on Saturday night, only going home to get ready for church. Third, Jim Hyde, who led the building process and “cracked the whip” when needed. Fourth, Wayne Oglesbee, the man who works under Jim to insure the cleanliness of our facilities, especially in relationship to the fulfillment of this project. Yes, it is dangerous just to mention these by name, but without any one of these, it would have not happened. Thanks for reminding us all of the value of team!

The value of people is alive and well right now in our entire ministry. I am so thankful for each one of our staff players and lay persons who step up in their contribution to the ministry. Thank God for people who love people and love the Lord and His work.

The value of people is what really motivates our Great Commission Ministries. Last night we prayed over a team to Brazil who is about to leave and launch a new church through their efforts of evangelism and church planting. As well, we introduced as many of our summer interns and assistants as were here last night (so many were serving in mission and camp endeavors last night). The testimony of Russ Lee last night through his concert reminded us of the value of people. His commitment to the Great Commission is challenging to each of us!

Look around this week: people are valuable! Do not look past the people who you relate to daily. Do not look past the people who bring value you to your life.

True spiritual revival and awakening results in a greater commitment to world evangelization. We have witnessed this and experienced it personally. It was on Sunday, June 4, 1995, when the Holy Spirit moved mightily upon our fellowship. He interrupted not only the day as planned, but succeeding weeks as initially planned, and in so many ways since. This mighty movement of God has still been felt in ministry dynamics and commitment in the area of world evangelization. Yes, our church has not been the same since that day.

Our commitment to regional evangelism went to an unprecedented level of commitment. Our commitment to reach this region with the Good News of Jesus is strong. As the wonderful church of God, you have done so much in creating ministry venues, providing funds, and now have created an additional campus that is surging forward in a God-sized manner. In the past three years alone, not counting the present year, our church has baptized an average of 957 people per year. This has happened because of the radical commitment you have made as a church. Praise God for you.

Our commitment to evangelize America went to an unprecedented level of commitment. We have launched churches in our region as well as in New Hampshire, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Cleveland, and we are working on more strategic opportunities even as I write to you. The church’s commitment in disaster relief, helping pastors, struggling churches, seminary leadership and students through the Hurricane Katrina has been unprecedented. Baptist work in both Louisiana and Mississippi was helped  dramatically because of you, plus we have helped great numbers of people in those regions and beyond. We mobilized 2,500 people beyond the many trips taken to the Louisiana coast to care for the displaced hurricane victims in the largest evacuee camp in Arkansas. As well, mentoring and connecting young ministers of the gospel has happened and is happening in so many ways. There is so much more you do in America, but space nor time permits me to tell it all.

Our commitment to evangelize the world went to an unprecedented level of commitment. Since 1999, we have launched 17 churches across the world, on every inhabited country of the world. What a vision…you did it! Additionally, your church averages 12 mission trips a year, plus sends every graduate of our Shiloh Christian School on an international mission experience, if they will go. Yes, we are cooperative and loyal Southern Baptists, demonstrated through the fact that 99.9% of our mission work globally is with Southern Baptists. Last year, we gave $489,862 for Southern Baptist causes, $221,000 of which was given through the Cooperative Program. This represents an average of over 8% improvement annually for the past five years. We were in the Top 100 SBC churches in gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. The church has done all of this and so much more while a $38.5 million building program on both campuses is moving towards completion. So much of our work is not counted towards the Cooperative Program because of the way our convention is structured; things like us mobilizing 142 people to Thailand to lead the missionaries of Asian countries in a time of retreat and growth, other mission trip expenditures, many church starts, benevolence, language ministry, jail ministry, and the list goes on and on.  $2.6 million was spent by your church last year taking the gospel into Northwest Arkansas, America, and the World, and this does not even count so much of what else we do. This is what we do…missions. This is who we are…missions! Of course, daily we are now on across the world via television and we hear from people worldwide. Dear church, you are a great church, committed to the task of global evangelization! We can do more and we will do more to the glory of God.

My point today: if the SBC experienced a genuine spiritual revival, missions would sky-rocket and we could finish the task of launching churches and leaders into every unreached people group in the world. I get really excited when I think about what God could do if we could just see this kind of awakening in our churches. Oh God, let it happen for the sake of global missions.

Oh God, give us revival!