Biography

Dr. Bobby H. Welch
Pastor, First Baptist Daytona Beach (1974 - 2006)
Southern Baptist Convention President (2005 & 2006)

Birth:  
Fort Payne, Alabama

Family: 
He and his wife Maudellen have two married children, Matthew, Haylee and four   grandchildren.

Educated: 
Jacksonville State University, Alabama – B.S./Business Administration
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary – Master of Theology
Palm Beach Atlantic University – D.D.H.C.

Military: 
Before leaving the U.S. Army he received the rank of Captain, he had become a Paratrooper, Ranger, Jungle Expert, Green Beret, receiving the Bronze Star with "V" Device for bravery, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and other decorations. As a recon platoon leader in Vietnam he was shot and given up for dead, at which time God miraculously intervened in a life changing way that resulted in his call to the ministry. Welch is one of the most heard Southern Baptist “God and Country” speakers.

Business: 
After the military and before entering the ministry Welch built, owned and operated his own business.

Pastor:
First Baptist Church of Norco, Louisiana (while attending NOBTS – 1970-1971)
Associate Pastor, Park Avenue Baptist in Nashville (1972-1974) 
First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach (1974- 2006)

S.B.C. and Missions Commitment:
For 30 years First Baptist, Daytona had as its goal to give 15% to the Cooperative Program each year and used LifeWay resources throughout its Sunday School and V.B.S. There is a strong mission emphasis, sending missionary teams regularly all around the world. The church continues to try and average sending 12 teams of FBC laypersons, each year, to do soul winning mission work around the world.

Soul Winning is evidenced by his passion to teach, encourage and challenge pastors, churches, Associations and Conventions to intentionally share the gospel. Dr. Welch is the Co-Founder/Originator of FAITH Evangelism Through The Sunday School Strategy which is now in 4 languages in 14 countries with over 500,000 trained. FBC Daytona continues to have a strong enrollment in FAITH training each semester.

He has been  a clear voice for Pro-Life, as witnessed by millions, when he appeared on a 2 ½ hour ABC special with Peter Jennings entitled "Abortion, The Next Civil War." He helped and enlisted 10,000 Florida Baptists to march in the streets of Florida’s capital for Pro-Life.

He has spoken at S.B.C. Conventions, SBC Pastor's Conferences, Evangelism  Conferences and State Conventions across the country and overseas. He has spoken in every state at least once and many states several times.

He has served in numerous places of leadership and service throughout the S.B.C. and the State of Florida including Vice President of Southern Baptist Convention, President of Florida Baptist Convention, and Trustee for B.S.S.B/LifeWay (8 years).

Elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention June, 2004 & 2005

Appointed by Dr. Morris Chapman of the SBC Executive Committee to be Strategist for Global Evangelical  Relations in March of 2007.

His latest book “YOU, THE WARRIOR LEADER” (The 21^st century spiritual leadership model) by Broadman Holman publishers.

Other books he has authored or co-authored include:

This Comes First
The Sacrificed Life
All-on-the-Altar Book
All-on-the-Altar resources
FAITH Advanced
Student FAITH
Student FAITH Advanced
Step of FAITH
Por Fe – Spanish FAITH
Ponte DaFe – Portuguese FAITH
Korean – FAITH

Other information

Search Committee for LifeWay President, Dr. James Draper
Committee on Resolutions for S.B.C.
Committee on Nominations for S.B.C.
Search Committee for Florida Baptist Convention Ex. Dir, Dr. John Sullivan
Received Washburn-Piland-Taylor Director's Award from LifeWay, 1998
Received NOBTS' Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1998
Received Jacksonville State University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2005
Elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention, 2005 & 2006.
During his SBC presidency he preached in and visited all 50 states and Canada  during a 25 travel day bus tour to encourage pastors and churches to reach more than ever before.
He spent 2 months in each area prior to the 2005 Convention in Nashville and the 2006 Convention in Greensboro, and is headed to Texas prior to the 2007 Convention.(Living in each state, and speaking over 100 times to encourage soul winning, Cooperative Program Giving and participation at each Convention.