Birth:
Mexico, Missouri

Family:
Married to Betty Jo Cockerell since February 28, 1964 Children: Janet, Christy, and Mark

Education:
Hannibal-LaGrange College, Hannibal, Mo., 1954, A.A.
University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., 1956, B.A.
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, Tex., 1960, M.Div.; M.R.E.
Luther Rice Seminary, Jacksonville, Fla., 1978, D.Min.

Experience:
National Facilitator for Denominations, Mission America, 1997 to present
President, Home Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention, 1987-1997
President, Hannibal-LaGrange College, Hannibal, Missouri, 1981-1987
Pastor, Tower Grove Baptist Church, St. Louis, Missouri, 1974-1981
Director of Religious Education, Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania-South Jersey, 1971-1974
Pastor, Delaware Valley Baptist Church, Willingboro, NJ, 1966-1971
Pastor, Parsons Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio, 1961-1966
Associate Pastor/Education-Youth, Tri-Village Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio, 1961-1962
Associate Pastor/Education-Youth, College Street Baptist Church, Springfield, Missouri, 1960

Service:
National Prayer Committee, Advisory Council, 1999 to present
Mission America Facilitation Committee (Board), 1995 to present
Evangelism and Education Commission, BWA, 1987 to present
San Diego Baptist Association Evangelism Council Chairman, 2001 to present
Interagency Council, Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), 1987-1997
Baptist World Alliance (BWA) General Council, 1987-1997
Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, 1987-1995
Southern Baptist Convention Education Commission, 1984-1987
SBC Resolutions Committee, 1980 and Chairman, 1985
Vice President of SBC Pastors Conference, 1980
President, Missouri Baptist Convention Pastors Conference, 1979
Founder/President Tower Grove Christian School, 1978-1981
Adjunct professor, Hannibal La-Grange College, 1975-1981
Board of Trustees, Hannibal La-Grange College, 1975-1981
Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania-South Jersey Executive Board, 1970-1971
Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania-South Jersey, Chairman of Executive Search Committee, 1970

Books:
The Bus Ministry, Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania-S. Jersey, 1971
Outreach with Church Buses (contributor) Baptist Sunday School Board, 1972
Organize to Evangelize, Victor, 1980; Broadman, 1988, (6 editions)
What the Bible Teaches about Abortion, Christian Life Commission, 1991
Church Planter's Handbook, Broadman Press, 1992
Proclaiming the Pro-Life Message (Editor), Hannibal Books, 1997

Honors:
Listed in: Who's Who in the Mid-West; Who's Who in Pennsylvania, and Who's Who in Religion
Distinguished Service Award, School of Religious Education, Southwestern Baptist
Theological Seminary, 1997
Distinguished Alumnus, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1997
Jack Redford Church Extension Award, 1997
Distinguished Service Award, Christian Life Commission, SBC, 1989
Alumnus of the Year, Luther Rice Seminary, 1988
Hannibal-LaGrange, Hannibal, MO, 1987, Doctorate of Divinity.

Accomplishments:
National Facilitator, Mission America Coalition, 1997 to present.
Relates to chief executive officers of the eighty-one denominations that are part of the Mission America Coalition. Led in the development and implementation of cooperative evangelism initiatives including Celebrate Jesus 2000, Call to Prayer, Lighthouse Movement, 911 Remembrance, and Honor Our Heroes.

President of the Home Mission Board, SBC, 1987-1997.
CEO of missions agency with 350 staff in Atlanta, more than 5000 home missionaries, and $92,000,00 annual budget. Reserve funds increased from $46,000,000 to $62,000,000. Relocated offices and led $22,000,000 building project.

President of Hannibal-LaGrange College, Hannibal, Missouri, 1981-87.
Enrollment increased from 454 to 817; transitioned college from junior to senior college status; reversed deficit spending trend (17 of past 20 years) and amortized $400,000 deficit fund balance. H-LG was the third fastest growing college of 52 colleges in SBC.

Pastor of Tower Grove Baptist Church, St. Louis, 1974-1981.
Attendance grew from 700 to 1250, reversing 15-year decline; founded Christian school that grew to 607 in 12 grades; plus 260 children in a day care ministry; baptisms averaged more than 200 each year; membership grew to more than 3000 resident members. TGBC had largest membership of 1900 SBC churches in Missouri.

Director of Religious Education, Pennsylvania-South Jersey Baptist Convention, 1971-74.
Coordinated Sunday School, Discipleship, and Student Ministries and served as state building consultant; started 17 campus ministries.

Home Missionary Church Planter. 1961-1971.
Served as church planter home missionary in Ohio and New Jersey; started 13 churches.