James Merritt

Dr. James Merritt, born December 22, 1952, is a U.S. religious leader and President of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2000-2002.

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Early life and education

James Merritt is the son of Glen and Miriam Merritt. After graduating from South Hall High School in Hall County, Georgia, Merritt attended Stetson University where he graduated with a degree in accounting. Soon after he married his wife, Teresa, the couple moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where Merritt attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. After graduating with a Master of Divinity degree and a PhD, Merritt pastored Highland Baptist Church in Laurel, Mississippi for three years, and then relocated to Snellville, Georgia to pastor the First Baptist Church of Snellville. During his tenure, the congregation grew from 500 to over 13,000 members.

Career

In 2000, James Merritt was elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest evangelical denomination in the world, and served two terms. During his terms as the first baby boomer SBC President, he met with President George W. Bush on several occasions at the White House, and travelled to every corner of the world to work with SBC missionaries. During this time, Merritt also appeared on numerous media programs such as FoxNews' Hannity and Colmes, Fox News Sunday, MSNBC's Scarborough Country, 60 Minutes and others.

Dr. Merritt has served on the Board of Trustees at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, for many years at the request of his friend, Jerry Falwell. An avid Georgia Bulldogs fan, Merritt has also served on the Chaplain's team for UGA Head Football Coach Mark Richt and team chaplain Kevin "Chappy" Hines, and has led the Bulldogs pre-game chapels.

In 2003, Merritt left First Baptist Church of Snellville to begin Cross Pointe, the Church at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia. He is CEO of Touching Lives Ministry, an internationally-televised religious program, and can also be found weekly on XM Satellite Radio. Dr. Merritt is also the author of 4 books including "Friends, Foes and Fools" and "How to be a Winner and Influence Anybody."

Family

James Merritt has three sons, James Jr., Jonathan and Joshua, one daughter-in-law, Natalie, and grandson Harper. He and his family reside in Dacula, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta.

See Also

• Southern Baptist Convention
• Southern Baptist Convention Presidents
• List of Southern Baptist Convention affiliated people

External links

• Touching Lives (Dr. Merritt's television show)
• Pastor's Edge (Dr. Merritt's resource page)
• James Merritt Founds New Church

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Name	Merritt, James
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Date of birth	1952
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