SOUTHERN BAPTISTS ELECT BLACK MAN

Rev. Fred Luter of New Orleans made history Tuesday when he was elected as the first African-American president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Founded 167 years ago with a commitment to segregation, the SBC proved it has broken with the past through its election of Luter.  In 1995, the group issued an apology for its polarizing history and pledged to bring more minorities into its leadership.  That pledge has now been realized.

In a nominating speech, pastor David Crosby of First Baptist Church New Orleans, called Luter a “fire-breathing, miracle-working pastor” who would “be a saint if he were Catholic.” According to Crosby, Luter grew a 5,000-member megachurch — twice — after seeing it destroyed the first time by Hurricane Katrina.

Once Luter’s election was official, there was whistling, cheering and a standing ovation among the supportive Christian crowd.  Luter wiped tears from his eyes and thanked God for the day.