Jerry Vines Blog
Dr. J. B. Gambrell was a great Southern Baptist leader of another time. He was born in Dallas, Texas in 1841. He was a pastor, faculty member at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, editor of the Baptist Standard, president of my Alma Mater, Mercer University, Corresponding Secretary of the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and served three terms as President of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Impressed?
I am!
God used him at crucial times in Southern Baptist life. During a very tense convention session, Dr. Gambrell was called upon to pray. He reportedly prayed, “Lord, we Southern Baptists aren’t much, but we’re the best you’ve got.” It is said his prayer greatly reduced the tension in the convention hall.
I’m sure such a statement would be debated by other Christian groups. But, he was stating something many of us believe today. For all our failures and faults, God’s people known as Southern Baptist are a people who have been used to win millions to Christ, both at home and to the ends of the earth.
I certainly cherish the label, Christian, above that of Baptist. And above that of Southern Baptist. But, I’m grateful to God one Sunday night I heard a faithful Southern Baptist preacher tell me about Jesus, and I was saved.
I’m thankful I received greatly reduced in cost educations at a Baptist University and a Baptist Seminary. I was blessed to serve several wonderful Southern Baptist churches.
So, there is a lot of truth to the statement. We need to keep this in mind as we approach the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando. “Lord, we Southern Baptists aren’t much”—that should keep us humble. “But, we’re the best you’ve got”—that should make us grateful.
