America
The next decade will be the most important in the history of the nation, Gaines told Baptist editors and state convention heads. “Just look at the election we have just been through. America is divided. I have never seen such an election in my 40 years of voting. I am praying for a mighty revival, a movement of God on our land.”
Revival
“The last time it occurred was the Jesus Movement of the early to mid-1970s. That’s when we as a denomination reported the largest number of baptisms in our history. Many missionaries and pastors and church staff members came out of that movement and changed America. It can happen again, and that is my prayer.”
Younger leaders
“I do believe that this new, younger generation will respond when we older men reach out to them…. State conventions need to be proactive and reach out, embrace them, cultivate them. You know, it’s far easier to talk about someone than it is to talk to them. When you talk to them you get on their level, you empathize with them. And that’s what it’s going to take.”
– SBC President Steve Gaines in February, quoted in Baptist Press