Sullivan recognized for two decades of service

‘We thank God in heaven for the Jesus we see in you’

Nov 18, 2008
BARBARA DENMAN
Florida Baptist Convention

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LAKELAND (FBC)—A standing ovation, a moving tribute and a video memoir marked the 20th anniversary recognition of Florida Baptist Executive Director-treasurer John Sullivan during the closing session of the Florida Baptist State Convention Nov. 11 at Lakeland’s First Baptist Church at the Mall.

“For 20 years you have led us with compassion, strength and integrity; in biblical fidelity, Baptist polity and brotherly love,” State Board of Missions President Don McLaughlin told the longest tenured state executive in the Southern Baptist Convention’s old-line states.

“We thank God in heaven for the Jesus we see in you.”

On Feb. 9, 2009, Sullivan, the ninth person to lead the Florida Baptist Convention as executive director-treasurer, will equal the 20-year tenure of William Chaudoin, Florida Baptists’ first executive who served 1880-1901. Only John Maguire, who led the convention 1945-1967, served longer.

In the State Convention presentation, McLaughlin equated Sullivan with three biblical men of faith.

“You have been for us a Daniel, the prophet statesman—never compromising, never bending ... courageous but winsome,” said McLaughlin, pastor of Tallahassee’s Parkway Church.

“You have been David, the shepherd leader. An executive level leader finds the way up is down. With humility you have pastored us, cared for us, loved us and loved our families,” he added.

As Paul, “the passionate visionary,” Sullivan has “missionary eyes,” McLaughlin said. “You see the lost in Cuba, Haiti, Belgium and Brazil. You see the lost in the multitudes in Florida from the Atlantic coast to the Gulf Coast, from the Keys to the Bays of Pensacola. You see the lost across the county and across the state.”

The video presentation highlighted Florida Baptists’ accomplishments since Sullivan’s arrival—giving $574 million through the Cooperative Program; starting 2,331 new churches; deploying 337,047 volunteers; establishing nine theological education centers where 1,500 students currently study; and baptizing 608,049 new believers.

But it also showed Sullivan as an unlikely choice to fulfill the executive leadership role having grown up “poor in the coal camps that dot the hollers of West Virginia,” with no spiritual influences. His parents did not attend church.

As an 18-year-old working in Washington, D.C., with the FBI in a special program for high school graduates, Sullivan met a young woman who soon would be his wife. Nancy Hinson took her suitor to church and then led him to Lord two months after they were married.

The Sullivans then began a journey that would take him to college and seminary as he prepared for a pastoral ministry that spanned more than three decades and three states—Arizona, Texas and Louisiana.

During the past 20 years, Sullivan has refocused several areas of the Convention’s organization, drawing leaders from local church staffs with proven track records in evangelism, church starting, and church development.

Reaching out to the large portion of Florida’s population who are African-American, he led the Convention to establish the African-American Ministries Division, a first in Southern Baptist life. Strengthening Florida Baptist ties with other language groups, Sullivan enlarged the work of the Language Division.

He also led the Convention to embrace a Great Commission goal by establishing partnerships with Baptists in Haiti and Cuba and Brazil, as well as several state-to-state mission partnerships.

The video offered testimonies from pastors across the state, including Willy Rice, president of the Florida Baptist State Convention.

“Here is a man with an incredibly compassionate heart,” said Rice. “He loves people, he loves pastors. Most of us who have been with him have seen him weep over lost souls around this state. That’s his heart, that’s his passion. He’s a pastor, and he’s been a friend to pastors and he’s been a friend to our churches.”

At the conclusion of the video, Florida Baptists’ first lady Nancy Sullivan was presented 20 long-stemmed red roses. Both were presented with longevity checks.

At the conclusion of the tribute, Sullivan said, “This is a tough moment in my life. I look in your face and know it is not who I am, but who you are that has made a difference in Florida.” He expressed appreciation for the Florida Baptist Convention staff and his wife of 53 years.

The State Board of Missions also will celebrate Sullivan’s anniversary during its February meeting, McLaughlin reported.

To view the 20th Anniversary video, go to www.flbaptist.org and click on the icon: “Dr. Sullivan’s 20th Anniversary.”