Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 15, 1994 TAG: 9406160027
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ORLANDO, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
The Rev. Jim Henry's victory was a setback for the Baptists' conservative leaders, who had endorsed the Rev. Fred Wolfe of Mobile, Ala., as their candidate.
Henry, an Orlando pastor, defeated Wolfe, head of the convention's Executive Committee, 9,876 votes to 8,023 votes. It was the first close presidential race since 1990, the last time moderate Baptists mounted a serious challenge to the conservative leadership of the convention.
This time, both candidates were theological conservatives, but Henry supported less antagonistic relations with moderates, promising to reach out and seek reconciliation.
``Let's move on ahead,'' Henry said after his election.
He was supported by Russell H. Dilday Jr., whose firing in March as president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, shook up many conservatives as well as moderates. The seminary trustees said Dilday assailed individuals who believed in the literal truth of the Bible, but opponents said he was let go for criticizing the ``hardball politics'' of the current conservative leadership.
In his nominating speech for Henry, the Rev. Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas said Henry is a committed conservative who ``will not polarize us.''
In an Associated Press interview before the election, Henry said his presidency would focus on ``healing what has been hurt and saying let's get on with the program.''
by CNB