Southern Baptists elect new convention president, bucking effort to push conservative denomination

Southern Baptists elect new convention president, bucking effort to push conservative denomination to the right


Thousands of Southern Baptists elected Alabama pastor Ed Litton — the only candidate some say can prevent an exodus of minority members from the denomination — to serve as the next president of their network of conservative evangelical churches.

Litton won the top Southern Baptist Convention role in a runoff vote on Tuesday in Nashville. He defeated Georgia pastor Mike Stone.

The convention, which is divided over its future direction, needs a uniter, said Louisiana pastor Fred Luter Jr., who nominated the pastor of Redemption Church in Saraland, Alabama.

"Ed is uniquely qualified to do that," said Luter, a former convention president and the first Black leader to serve in the role.

Read more: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2021/06/15/southern-baptist-convention-2021-new-president-elected-ed-litton/7694291002/