Davidson to be nominated for SBC first vice president

By Allen Palmeri
Staff Writer

March 2, 2004

ARNOLD – Gerald Davidson, pastor of First Baptist Church , Arnold, for 27 years and a past president of the Missouri Baptist Convention, will be nominated for first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention at the SBC’s annual meeting in Indianapolis June 15-16.

“The former presidents (of the SBC) have decided that Gerald Davidson should be first vice president, and Dr. Adrian Rogers has been asked to nominate him,â?? said Bailey Smith, president of the SBC in 1981 and 1982.

Smith made the announcement Feb. 19 at the Real Evangelism Conference hosted by Davidson and the congregation at First Arnold. Davidson said it came as a bit of a surprise even though he knew he had been under consideration for the post in past years.

“All I can say is this: If that’s what the Lord would have for me, I’d be more than honored to be able to serve in that capacity,â?? said Davidson, 68.

Smith said he thinks Davidson will be unopposed. He added that the time has come to recognize Davidson’s efforts over the years.

“He’s taken a strong stand in Missouri ,â?? Smith said. “He has not compromised. He has built a great work. He has certainly never wavered from what the conservative movement is about. We have some secret soldiers out there, but Gerald Davidson has been vocal in his opposition to liberalism and support for conservatism.

“We don’t want to just honor him, we really want a man that if indeed the president gets sick would take over with skill and integrity. I think that’s Gerald Davidson.â??

During his tenure at First Arnold, Davidson has seen membership at  the church, located on the southern edge of St. Louis , grow from about 400 to more than 4,600.