Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) President J.D. Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., called on all Southern Baptists to join him for a day of prayer and fasting on Monday, Oct. 8 for God’s wisdom in filling top leadership positions at several SBC entities.

Currently, new leaders are being sought to fill executive positions at five SBC entities. Those entities are: the SBC Executive Committee; LifeWay Christian Resources; the International Mission Board; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In a letter to executive directors of Baptist state conventions, Greear said the moment seems “unprecedented” and asked for help in calling Southern Baptists to pray for the active search committees.

“I believe God is up to something that — if we are humble and faithful — can prepare us for greater days of effectiveness for the Great Commission,” Greear said.

Greear urged prayer for each respective search team in the following areas:  
• “For wisdom for the search committee in assessing what is needed for effective ministry in the 21st century.
• “For boldness for the search committee in asking the difficult questions.
• “For loving-kindness for the search committee as they interact with one another.
• “For favor, that God’s face would shine upon us as a people – not for our sake, but that Jesus’ name would be known to the ends of the earth.”

In a post shared through his Twitter account on Tuesday, Oct. 3, Greear tweeted: “With many key positions to be filled in SBC leadership, would you join me Mon., Oct. 8 for a Day of Prayer & Fasting? Pray that God would be merciful to us & bless us & cause his face to shine upon us, so that his way may be known in all the earth & his salvation among the nations!”

Milton A. Hollifield Jr., executive director-treasurer for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSCNC), expressed his support for Greear’s call to prayer.

“I wholeheartedly support SBC President J.D. Greear’s call to all Southern Baptists to pray and fast on Monday, Oct. 8 for all of the leadership decisions that need to be made within our denomination,” Hollifield said. “I can’t remember a time in Southern Baptist life when there has been this many top leadership transitions taking place across our SBC entities at the same time.

“I hope Southern Baptists in North Carolina and beyond will join me in this concerted prayer effort for God to raise up godly leaders who will help guide key areas of our convention for years to come.”

The BSCNC’s Office of Prayer for Evangelization and Spiritual Awakening has a resource titled “Prayer and Fasting: Principles & Practices” that is available as a free download. The resource includes biblical principles, practical applications and corresponding Scripture verses related to prayer and fasting.
Additional resources prayer resources from the BSCNC are available online at praync.org.