SBC makes history with first black president

NEW ORLEANS—Wiping away tears, Fred Luter Jr. faced messengers on Tuesday after becoming the first African American president of the Southern Baptist Convention, a group formed in 1845 as a split with northern Baptists over slavery, and uttered,  “To God be the glory for the things he has done. God bless you. I love you.”

Luter, who helped grow a church of 65 people into the 5,000-member Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, was unopposed and elected by acclamation of the convention's  messengers, who are chosen to represent local churches at the annual meeting.

David Crosby, pastor of First Baptist Church of New Orleans, said in his nomination speech to those gathered at the Ernest Morial Convention Center in downtown New Orleans, “We need Pastor Fred at the head of the table helping us understand our mission field and our mission.”

In electing Luter, Southern Baptists would “make history, to show a watching world” about the savior, Crosby said.

After casting the vote on behalf of messengers, SBC Recording Secretary John Yeats uttered a robust “Hallelujuh!” to the applause of messengers, most of whom were on their feet.

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, Luter lost his home to floodwaters, the campus of Franklin Avenue Baptist was devastated under eight feet of water, and members were scattered elsewhere.

The congregation rallied behind Luter’s leadership and by early 2006 was holding services elsewhere in New Orleans and for dispersed members in Houston and Baton Rouge. The church re-opened its Franklin Avenue campus with renovations in 2008.

Luter is married to Elizabeth and is the father of Kimberly and Fred “Chip” Luter III.

A fuller version of this story will appear later at texanonline.net.