Baptist Briefs_92004

Posted: 9/17/04

Baptist Briefs

Transition murky at Habitat. Millard Fuller, who founded the world-renowned Christian housing ministry Habitat for Humanity International with his wife, Linda, in 1976, will end his service as president next year. But Fuller and Habitat directors have been in conflict for several months over how and when the leadership transition will take place. While retaining the title of president and chief executive officer, Fuller, who turns 70 in January, said he has been forced into a "figurehead" role since former board chairman Paul Leonard Jr. was sent to the Americus, Ga.-based headquarters in June as managing director. Former President Jimmy Carter, a longtime Habitat volunteer and personal friend of the Fullers, brokered an agreement that called for Fuller's retirement in January 2005. But Fuller has sought to extend his term as Habitat's president and CEO until later in 2005 when the completion of the 200,000th house built by the worldwide ministry is expected to occur. Board leaders have offered Fuller the opportunity to preside over the dedication of that historic milestone, but not in the role of CEO.

Olford dies at 86. Biblical expositor Stephen Olford died at age 86 after suffering a massive stroke. He was a member of Bellevue Baptist Church in suburban Memphis, Tenn. He founded the Stephen Olford Institute for Biblical Preaching in 1980 to promote verse-by-verse biblical preaching and practical training for pastors, evangelists and lay leaders.

Criswell College installs president. Jerry Johnson was installed as the sixth president of Criswell College in Dallas last week. The 40-year-old Malakoff native was the unanimous choice of trustees last December and began serving in February. Johnson, a 1986 Criswell graduate, came to Criswell College from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he was dean of the seminary's Boyce College. Criswell College is affiliated with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

Former seminary presidents join faculty. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has added two former seminary presidents to its faculty as distinguished professors. Mark Coppenger, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1995 to 1999, has been named distinguished professor of apologetics. He is pastor of Evanston Baptist Church in Evanston, Ill. Ken Hemphill, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1994 to 2003, has been named distinguished professor of evangelism, missions and church growth. He is national strategist for the Southern Baptist Convention's Empowering Kingdom Growth initiative. Both men will teach part-time.

Mars Hill president emeritus dies. Fred Blake Bentley, president emeritus of Mars Hill College, died recently at age 68, following a two-and-a-half-year battle with colon cancer. When Bentley became president of Mars Hill College in 1966 at age 30, he was the youngest college president in the nation. Bentley was the 19th president in the college's 110-year history. He served almost 30 years before retiring in 1996.

Mohler joins Focus on Family board. Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., has been named to the Focus on the Family board of directors. Focus on the Family Chairman James Dobson said Mohler brings to the board "a wealth of leadership experience, theological insight and intellectual acumen."

Belmont proposes new relationship. Belmont University trustees have given leaders of the Tennessee Baptist Convention a proposed covenant that would take away the convention's current responsibility of electing trustees for the university. The covenant stipulates at least 60 percent of the Belmont's trustees will be members of Tennessee Baptist churches, while the remaining 40 percent will be "committed active Christians." Belmont University has been affiliated with the Tennessee convention since 1951.