John Thweatt, pastor of First Baptist Church, Pell City, was unanimously elected president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention during the Nov. 15–16 annual meeting in Montgomery.

Thweatt previously served two one-year terms as state convention first vice president and was unopposed in the election for president.

“I’m excited about the opportunity and want to serve Rick (Lance) and the state missionaries however I can,” Thweatt said. “I’m especially excited to be working with them during this transition time to a new building.”

Thweatt, who currently serves as chairman of the board of trustees for Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, received his graduate degrees from two of the other Southern Baptist seminaries and was an undergraduate at an Alabama Baptist college. 

Reaching younger pastors

He received his master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and his doctor of ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He played football for Samford University in Birmingham for a season before finishing up his undergraduate degree from Jacksonville State University.

Thweatt, who is 50 years old, wants his service to encourage younger pastors. 

“I hope to help get more younger pastors involved in the state convention,” he said. “Maybe through committee appointments and other ways, we can increase the involvement.”

Move toward parity

“I do know the move toward 50–50 with the Southern Baptist Convention (regarding funding) is speaking to the young guys,” he said, noting he is glad to see the state convention moving in this direction. 

In fact, Thweatt attempted to make a motion about a 50–50 funding formula at the state convention annual meeting in 2010 but the motion was ruled out of order. 

It’s a fun story to recall and joke about now, he indicated. The important thing is the move toward a parity plan is taking place, he said.

Thweatt began his journey in Alabama Baptist life as a high schooler when his military family moved to northeast Alabama and he became a member of First Baptist Church, Boaz.

He started out in youth ministry at First Baptist Church, Guntersville, before moving into his first pastorate at Beulah Baptist Church, Boaz. 

From there he served Highlands Baptist Church, Huntsville, before becoming pastor of First, Pell City, 15 and a half years ago.

Thweatt said he plans to get to know all entities and their boards in his role as president but also wants to protect his time related to his family and church. He and his wife, Kim, have four daughters ranging from a 6th grader to a junior in college.

John Killian, pastor of Maytown Baptist Church, nominated Thweatt for the position.

‘God’s man to lead’

“Certainly Alabama Baptists’ work is God’s work and to lead God’s work we need God’s man to lead us,” Killian said in his nomination speech.

“I have seen in John Thweatt the characteristics of a man of God,” Killian said. “Dr. John Thweatt has proven his loyalty to Baptist doctrine and practice in his service … [and] never compromises biblical truth.”

Killian pointed to Paul’s description of a man of God in 1 Timothy 6:11 — one who flees evil, pursues righteousness and lives in godliness. 

“Paul also describes a man of God as a man of faith … and a man with love, gentleness and patience,” Killian said, noting Thweatt has all these characteristics. 

“You know John Thweatt as dignity personified as he presides at

the convention,” he said. “I know him as pastor of a large church who still had time to drive some distance to go see my mentally challenged cousin, who was a member of his church.”

“To the pastors in his area and his church members, he is Bro. John,” Killian said.

 

-First appeared in The Alabama Baptist