Home Christian News Bart Barber Wants the Southern Baptist Convention to Regain Its Rural Soul

Bart Barber Wants the Southern Baptist Convention to Regain Its Rural Soul

Farmersville is a small town in rural East Texas. Barber isn't the only one looking to return focus to rural churches in the United States. RNS photo by Riley Farrell

Farmersville is a small town in rural northeast Texas. Barber isn’t the only one looking to return focus to rural churches in the United States. RNS photo by Riley Farrell

Eddy Daniel, a third-generation Baptist deacon and a member at FBCF for 45 years, said he hopes Barber can succeed in creating common ground to heal the convention.

“Our church is big enough to handle his presidency — not big enough in size, but big enough in its close-knit nature,” said Daniel, referring to Barber as “Brother Bart.”

Barber said his tasks as a peacemaker will not be complete until “Jesus returns.” Still, he said, he will make the decision on whether to run again in due time.

“My decision will be based on answering: Am I still in love with Southern Baptists a year from now? Am I still in love with Jesus a year from now? Is my home church still in love with me?” Barber said. “The presidency of the SBC is not worth losing any of those things.”

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