Political Quotes

“I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Rev. Fred Luter, Jr., of New Orleans, LA on being elected to be president of the Southern Baptist Convention and acknowledging Reverend Luter's unique role as the first African- American leader of the Southern Baptist Convention. Rev. Fred Luter, Jr. preached his first church sermon in 1983 at the Law Street Baptist Church in New Orleans, LA. He then became pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in 1986. Under the leadership of Reverend Luter, the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church community grew from 65 members in 1986 to over 7,000 members in 2005. Thanks to Reverend Luter, the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church grew to be the largest Southern Baptist Church in the State of Louisiana. In 2005, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church was extensively damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Along with the church, Reverend Luter also lost his home to flooding. Displaced members of the church totaled approximately 2,000 people. Reverend Luter, in cooperation with Rev. David Crosby, found a temporary home for Franklin Avenue Baptist Church during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. As well as setting up a temporary church, Reverend Luter continued to minister to his congregation, even holding services in Baton Rouge, LA, and Houston, TX. After tremendous hard work and determination, Reverend Luter reopened the door to Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in April of 2008.…”