This week in Christian history: SBC elects first black president, Billy Graham’s last crusade

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, June 19, 2022

SBC elects first African American president – June 19, 2012

This week marks the anniversary of when the Rev. Fred Luter was elected the first African American president of the Southern Baptist Convention at the denomination's annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Approximately 7,700 SBC messengers unanimously elected Luter, senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church of New Orleans, to serve as head of the predominantly white denomination.

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The election was considered especially significant given that the SBC was originally founded by pro-slavery Baptists, and many of its key figures in its early history were slave owners.

Former SBC President Bryant Wright prayed over Luter upon his election, stating, “As we think about how far we have come, as we think about how you have divinely called Fred Luter for this key moment in history, we just thank you for the privilege of being a part of this day and we thank you for how you are going to use Fred Luter in the days to come.”