WHY I’M EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW SBC PRESIDENT- DR. RONNIE FLOYD

Before I knew him as a friend, I read Dr. Ronnie Floyd’s book “Reconnecting” and identified with him immediately. For as long as I have known him, for almost 20 years now, Dr. Floyd has carried and communicated a twin burden for spiritual passion and revival. These convictions mirror those of many pastors and leaders but I don’t know anyone who has been more deliberate in living those disciplines than our new SBC President.

Years ago, in a sermon at the New Orleans Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Floyd challenged the SBC to pursue God for revival through prayer and fasting. That day I began a 40 day fast that changed the trajectory of my ministry. His passion for revival and evangelism in our churches, our nation, and the nations of the world, has encouraged me as well. Honestly, I know some pastors who focus on the importance of the spiritual disciplines but seem to have little to say regarding the urgency of evangelism. Oddly, I have known gifted evangelistic leaders who have been relatively mum on the priority of spiritual growth. Only a few contemporary leaders have consistently wedded both essential disciplines together in a way that is common, for instance, in the book of Acts. Ronnie Floyd is a proven leader who is perfect for right now because he has lived and led a large, consistent ministry with the strengths we need now in our new leader. Congratulations Dr. Floyd on your election to the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention! Your denomination needs you, and I am praying your passions for spiritual life and revival will become the passions of this generation!

“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31 ESV)

~jkb