The trustees of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention voted this morning to call David Platt to be the next president of the agency. While I am saddened that I am losing my pastor, I am delighted to hear of this news. They made the right decision. I have a deep love and respect for the IMB and her mission. As a friend and co-pastor with David, I am overjoyed that he has accepted this invitation. Having served closely with him for the past two years, I believe he will bring the right vision and leadership to the agency.
The Lord used a multitude of matters to lead me to pastor The Church at Brook Hills. One of those was David’s humility and genuineness. Before committing to the church, I wanted to know if David was the same man “behind closed doors” as he was in the public eye. Over the years, unfortunately, I have been with a few leaders who act one way in public and another way in private. The Lord made it very clear to me that David is the real deal. What you see is what you get; and this is a very good thing.
A second matter of importance was related to his theology and missiology. After a few conversations with him, I knew I had found a kindred spirit with whom I could lock arms for the advancement of the gospel. In addition to giving priority to the unreached peoples (and unengaged peoples) and a Pauline model, David is one who strongly believes in the multiplication of churches from new disciples made from the harvest fields (Acts 13-14; 1 Thes 1:2-10). He believes in keeping matters contextually simple and highly reproducible, without compromising on biblical ecclesiology and the whole council of God (Acts 20:27).
While space will not allow me to elaborate on other areas of related importance, I wanted to bring these matters to your attention. David is a strong and humble leader. He is teachable and a team player. He is a man of prayer and fasting. He walks with God, and makes great sacrifices to see the gospel spread rapidly and with honor (2 Thes 3:1). He seeks to be a wise steward when it comes to the use of money, people, time, and other resources for Kingdom advancement. As a follower of Jesus, and as a fourth generation Southern Baptist, I am very thankful how he has led The Church at Brook Hills in the use of our resources in giving and going to the nations.
I hope you will join me in praying for David, his family, and the International Mission Board. Also, please remember to pray for The Church at Brook Hills. While we are saddened to see the Platts leave, we are thankful and excited to know that we will be able to continue to follow David’s leadership as we continue to give to, pray for, and send missionaries through the International Mission Board.
Thank you, trustees, for your labors. Many of us in Birmingham have been praying for you for a long time.
Congratulations, David! I appreciate you bro! Continuing to pray for you! Looking forward to the day when the 2 billion will hear, including the engagement of the 3300 (Rom 15:20-21)!
To God be the glory!
Well said brother JD. God is good and in his perfect and sovereign will we rejoice in what God has begun and what he will complete.
Good words Dr. Payne! I am looking forward to the future of IMB, led by Dr. Platt! God bless you as you continue your work at Brook Hills.
Thanks J.D., for your public affirmation and blessing on your brother. These words mean a lot to the rest of the Kingdom Agents who don’t get to traffic as close to your leaders in a relational manner. Thanks for sharing and celebrating bro. Thanks too for your ministry and open hand!
Thank you, J.D., for these well spoken words. I am truly grateful for your leadership in our Faith Family.
We are pleased by the appointment of David Platt to lead the IMB. Great choice that will be a big win for the last and least remaining unreached people groups of the world!
Good word Dr. Payne! Excited about what God has in store and looking forward to how He uses Dr. Platt to reach the unreahed. Thanks for your continued investment in the kingdom as well. Count me as one that will be praying for all involved in the transition! (Tell Sarah and the kids the Combs’ clan says hey!)