I Shook his Hand

As reported this week, Fred Luter, Jr., pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA, was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). And my memories began . . .

In the middle 90s, Pastor Luter came to Montrose Baptist Church, Rockville, MD, to speak at the Building Bridges Conference, I was working there as a secretary. I had the opportunity to listen to him preach, and I purchased tapes of his sermons.

He's all fire and brimstone, and he really stirred my heart. That kind of fierce preaching has a way of touching your most inner thoughts and bringing conviction to your faith and commitment. Check out his testimony at www.franklinabc.com/pastor.

A few years later I wrote him a letter after listening to his tapes again. He wrote a handwritten note to me in reply (below).

I was pleased that Pastor Luter was asked to speak at the Baptist Convention of MD/DE(BCMD) annual meeting--I don't remember what year--and I felt like a friend was returning to touch my heart.

Pastor Luter is the first African American to hold the position of president of the SBC. And Shannon Baker's Facebook entry said it was an electrifying moment! (BCMD writer for BaptistLife)

I still have the tapes I purchased of his sermons at the Building Bridges Conference years ago. Now where is that old cassette player. I'm ready for some emotionally-charged testimony about my Lord.

I shook his hand and have a hand-written note from him, along with some powerful memories of his sermons. I pray God will use him in a mighty way as he leads the convention through thrilling times in history!