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SBC President's Page - Press Release
The Executive Committee
of the
Southern Baptist Convention
Statement
of the President
Frank Page
regarding
the passing of Jerry Falwell
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAYLORS,
S.C., May 15, 2007--“The Christian community lost one of
our most passionate and most focused leaders. The Reverend Jerry
Falwell of Lynchburg, Virginia, apparently died suddenly at his
study the morning of Tuesday, May 15, 2007. Our hearts go out
to his wife and family during this time of grief. Though he had
some health problems in the last months and years, this came
as a shock to virtually everyone. Dr. Falwell made a lasting
mark upon the evangelical community as well as the culture of
our country. His impact can be measured simply by the fact that
he was a man who was quoted often, seen on television often,
and heard on a regular basis through various media around the
world.
"His ministry must be seen from the
perspective of being a pastor. Dr. Falwell never aspired
to be anything other than a pastor who spoke prophetically
the Word of God. Not everyone agreed with his stances, but
all should admire his passion and commitment to the cause
of Christ to the end. He desperately wanted our culture to
understand God and to understand where obedience and disobedience
lead.
"Dr. Falwell was seldom in doubt about
anything. While this irritated some, it encouraged others
who were delighted to see a man who was so certain of what
he believed.
"In recent years, Dr. Falwell led his church to become a
member of the Southern Baptist Convention. Having been
an independent Baptist for many years, he was delighted to witness
the conservative direction of the Southern Baptist Convention
in the last decades. He was a regular speaker at evangelism conferences,
state conventions, and other Baptist meetings.
"Those who knew him best, knew him to be a man of compassion
for the poor, a gentleman who was kind to all, and a warrior
who stood strong for the claims of Christ. Dr. Falwell
loved the Lord Jesus Christ and was not ashamed to let that be
known anywhere or anytime.
"We shall all miss the man of Christian
character who touched this country in many ways, named Jerry
Falwell."
The
Southern Baptist Convention is America’s largest evangelical
denomination, having more than 16.3 million members in over 43,699
churches nationwide. The Executive Committee is the administrative
entity responsible for facilitating the ongoing work of the Convention
between annual meetings with offices in Nashville, Tennessee.
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For media
inquiries or to request an interview
contact the SBC Executive Committee Office for Convention Relations
at (615) 782-8610.
Visit our Web site at www.sbc.net.
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