James L. Sullivan Passes Away This Week
Former SBC Sunday School Board President dies at the age of 94. He is remember and widely regarded by many of his contempories.
James Lenox Sullivan, Southern Baptist statesman and former president of the SBC Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian Resources) passed away this week at the Alive Hospice in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 94. Apparently, Sullivan was hospitalized for an illness before his death on Monday.
Since the time he received his pastorate in 1932, Sullivan has played an active role in denominational affairs within the Southern Baptists. From 1953 to 1975, Sullivan served as the president of the Sunday School Board. In addition, Sullivan took up the position of Baptist World Alliance Vice President.
Sullivan had over the years of his life pastored in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Texas. In 1976, Sullivan became the SBC president – serving and leading his fellow Baptists for one year. Throughout his career, he has been regarded by many as having a great authority within the Southern Baptist polity.
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Bobby Welch, president of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Florida commented to BP:
“Dr. James L. Sullivan will go down in history as one of Southern Baptist's most profound leaders, intellects and visionaries.”
"He was the pioneer for Southern Baptist Convention organizations as he brought about modern business reorganization for the Baptist Sunday School Board that not only catapulted them into the future but led the entire Southern Baptist Convention in the same direction.”
Sullivan is survived by his daughter Mary Beth Taylor, his son, James David Sullivan, 7 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
[Quotes courtesy of BP]
