Jerry Vines Blog
Fast forward to 1976.
The 1976 Pastors’ Conference was held at the Scope Convention Center in Norfolk, Virginia. My new friend, Adrian Rogers, was the president. He had been present when I preached a message entitled “Our Ascended Lord” at the Alabama Evangelism Conference earlier that year. He asked me to preach the same message in Norfolk.
Talk about scared out of my wits.
Janet and I arrived in Norfolk. I was clearly shook. My heroes, R. G. Lee and W. A. Criswell were preaching. Walter Judd, U. S. Republican congressman and Anita Bryant were featured. Homer Lindsay, Jr. and Richard Jackson were preaching. Also, Ron Dunn and Peter Lord were to speak.
Did I say I was shook?
Well, the Lord helped me get through the message. Relieved, we headed for lunch.
Upon returning to the Conference, we found seats high up in the Center. Exhausted, I was settling in for the election of my good friend, Bailey Smith, as president of the Conference. He was nominated. I was getting ready to vote for him. Then, a pastor from Alabama stepped forward to nominate someone else. I thought to myself, “Whoever that guy is he’s really going to be embarrassed.” As his speech progressed, I whispered to Janet, “I think he is nominating me!” I bolted down to the platform to withdraw my name.
To my utter astonishment, when I got there they were taking my picture. I had been elected president of the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference! And they say it was all cut and dried.
Thus started a remarkable journey into history.
Kyle B. Gulledge
June 8, 2011 @ 3:56 PMDr. Vines- I just listened to that message this morning. It was a recording from your preaching it in Norfolk! Great message, always stirs my heart when I hear it.
I am enjoying these posts and walking with you down memory lane!
Kyle
jerry vines
June 9, 2011 @ 7:24 AMHello, Kyle. Thanks. Glad you are enjoying the blogs. Just thought I would share some background stuff leading up to the SBC meeting. I won't be there this year for the first time since 1969.
Timmy Vaughan aka Tim Bo Preach the Word
December 29, 2011 @ 10:10 AMBro. Jerry Thank God you were elected to be the President of SBC because we as a convention would have fallen into the hands of men who truly
did not PREACH the Word Nor Fear GOD Nor stood firm on the OLD Time Great Blood Bought Message of Jesus Christ and his power that was spilt on the Cross for all man Kind ,You and Dr. Rogers , Dr Criswell paved the way Oh My Prayer Dr. Vines is that GOD will Use Me in the Same Way To Carry the Flame of Faith to our Next Generation of SBC Preachers yes it will be a fight but as young preacher boys such as my self i can say Timmy Vaughan learned from the Best You , Dr. Rogers Dr. Criswell To fight the Good fight of Faith and preach the blood bought word Till JESUS COMES and never bend never bow never break if nobody will stand for Jesus. This boy will For God and all Southern Baptist.
DR. BOB FINLEY
January 1, 2012 @ 10:46 PMBrother Jerry, I have always admired you and your stand for the infallible inerrant WORD of GOD. Y0UR expositional preaching through all these years has been such a blessing to me and my ministry for our wonderful LORD JESUS CHRIST. I began my education at Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute Hendersonville,N.C. in 1977.DR. KENNETH RIDINGS,another great expositor,always encouraged his students to go hear you, Adrian Rodgers, Ron Dunn, and all the outstanding Bible preachers GOD has given us. I have all your books in my library . POWER IN THE PULPIT is a classic! THE next time you come to INDIAN TRAIL FIRST BAPTIST,please preach " A BAPTIST AND HIS BIBLE". I want to hear it again. IT is men like you that makes it a joy to be in the ministry.GOD BLESS YOU ! ALWAYS thanking our LORD JESUS for you . A friend and co-laborer with you.BROTHER BOB