Spiritual awakening will be theme of new convention president

Tony Dickerson, pastor of Pinehurst Baptist Church in Columbus, was elected president of the Georgia Baptist Convention at the annual meeting at the Columbus Civic Center on November 11.

Dickerson, nominated for the office by Frank Cox of North Metro First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, is known across the state for his eloquence and power as a preacher, his effectiveness and tenure as pastor of Pinehurst (he is in his 31st year), and calm demeanor as a servant leader.

Following Dickerson's election he responded to the following questions at the Civic Center.

 

Index: Tony, I know that you have been approached in the past about having your name presented as a presidential candidate and you persistently deferred the nomination. What led you to permit your name to be placed before the Convention at this time?

 

Dickerson: I indicated to those who had asked me in the past about having my name placed before the Convention to wait until I felt it was God's will. This time I felt a keen sense of the leadership of the Holy Spirit to allow my name to be placed as a candidate for the office.

I also talked to our church staff and the church's leadership. I asked the church to pray about the matter and God used the people and their prayers to confirm that it was His will for me to be nominated.

 

Index: Now that you have been elected without opposition, how do you feel about holding this position with our Convention?

 

Dickerson: I am honored and humbled to be able to serve the Lord and Georgia Baptists. In fact, I am excited to have the opportunity to serve - I'm awestruck by the opportunity.

 

Index: I know that you became a pastor at an early age. When were you called to preach?

 

Dickerson: I was asked to be a part of the youth day activities in my home church, Cowart's Baptist Church down in south Alabama, and following that experience I had the opportunity to speak in several churches. I began to sense that God was calling me to preach when I was twelve years old and became the pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Ashford, Ala., when I was thirteen.

 

Index: It has been a long time since someone from Columbus has served as our Convention president. Do you recall who it was and when it was?

 

Dickerson: Yes, it was a very notable Columbus layman and his name was Columbus Roberts. He served as our Convention president 57 years ago.

 

Index: What is your view of Holy Scripture?

 

Dickerson: I believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible, impeccable, immutable Word of God and that it will stand forever true. I also believe that it is our commitment to the Bible that sets us apart from so many other denominations.

 

Index: What do you believe is the biggest threat to our way of life in America?

 

Dickerson: The secular mindset.

 

Index: What is the biggest threat to the church in America?

 

Dickerson: Trying to do God's work in the world's way.

 

Index: What will be your message to Georgia Baptists?

 

Dickerson: My message will be a message of revival, the importance of returning to God, and spiritual awakening. I want our state to embrace the prescription for revival found in II Chronicles 7: 14.

 

Index: What would you like to see Georgia Baptists do?

 

Dickerson: I want to see us stay the course set by previous presidents. I would like to see our educational institutions be true to the Word of God. I would like to see us dwell together in unity as the people of God and I want us to reach our goal of baptizing 50,000 people in our state in 2005.

 

Index: What is your commitment to the Cooperative Program?

 

Dickerson: I believe in the Cooperative Program with all my heart. Our church gives 10% to the CP and 3% to the Columbus Baptist Association. We also have a perennial missions offering at Pinehurst and receive additional gifts for our association, our state missions offering, our North American missions work and our international missions enterprise.

 

Index: Mr. President, how can Georgia Baptists pray for you?

 

Dickerson: Pray that God will keep me humble, that I will continuously be on fire for souls and that I will just be available to Him.

 

Index: Thank you for your willingness to be interviewed and congratulations upon your election.