BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Rev. Fred Luter Jr., who was elected the Southern Baptist Convention’s first African-American president, will serve as the First Wednesday speaker on Dec. 3 for Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 2135 Jefferson Ave. S.W.
The Rev. Michael W. Wesley Sr., Pastor of Greater Shiloh, said the church is honored to have Luter, who was chosen in 2012 to lead the country’s largest Protestant denomination. The public is invited to attend the 6:30 p.m. service.
“To have the opportunity to bring him to our church is just incredible for us,” Wesley said. “It is our delight to have him grace us with his presence.”
Luter was unopposed for the SBC presidency. Luter is the Pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans and was the first African American to preach the convention sermon at the annual meeting in 2001, also held in New Orleans, and in 2011 was the first Black elected as SBC first vice president.
Wesley said the church’s First Wednesday Service is designed to be a growth engine to allow people to visit Greater Shiloh’s campus who would not normally get the chance to visit. He said he has sought to expand the reach of the service by inviting both Black and white church congregations to worship and fellowship at the church.
“Now, we are seeking to enlarge that circle even wider to include some of America’s premier preachers to bless, not only our church, but the Birmingham community,” Wesley said.
Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church has been a cornerstone in the Birmingham community since May 3, 1891. The church has grown dramatically within the last 10 years to more than 2,000 members under the leadership of Dr. Michael W. Wesley Sr. who has been the Pastor for 29 years. Greater Shiloh’s mission is to reach, teach, and baptize throughout the world, beginning in its community, fulfilling the Great Commission by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, until Jesus returns. For more information about Greater Shiloh, please visit www.greatershiloh.org or call 205-925-3972.
