Floridian Pastor, Welch is nominated for 2004 SBC presidency

Florida Baptist Convention executive director-treasurer John Sullivan has confirmed Florida pastor Bobby Welch has been asked to allow his name to be nominated for the presidency at the 2004 Southern Baptist Convention, BPnews reported.

Sullivan confirmed Welch, who is a pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla., had been asked to consider the nomination. Sullivan said "Welch will make a great president for Southern Baptists."

"I truely support him. He's been a great supporter in Florida of the Coorperative Program and in baptisms and the FAITH ministry. He's been a passionate worker in Florida Baptist Convention," he said.

In an interview with Baptist Press, A co-creator of the FAITH evangelism strategy, Welch said he was "flattered, humbled and encouraged" that anyone would consider nominating him as SBC president.

He added "I promised I would pray for it and see how the Lord lead me the way. If it is God's will I would always try my best to help the Kingdom's cause."

"12 months is a long time. Before the 2004 many things can happen."

Welch has been at First Baptist in Daytona since 1974. He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theologial Seminary. As He and Doug Williams retired minister of evangelism at First Baptist Church, they created FAITH evangelism strategy which has grown into an international form of outreach.

"If I can be a help to this convention to win more people to the lord and to equip more people for the Gospel, I'm open to that and ready to do it," Welch said.

"I'll just pray about it and ask only the Lord to lead me. I'll do what he wants me to do."