Fred Luter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fred Luter |
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| Former President of the Southern Baptist Convention | |
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Fred Luter in Kentwood, Louisiana, during National Day of Prayer in 2015
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| Church | Franklin Avenue Baptist Church |
| Predecessor | Bryant Wright |
| Successor | Ronnie Floyd |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 11, 1956 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Denomination | Baptist (Southern Baptist Convention) |
| Residence | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Spouse | Elizabeth W. Luter |
| Children | Kimberly Ann "Kim" Luter Fred J. Luter III |
| Occupation |
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Fred J. Luter Jr. was born on November 11, 1956, in New Orleans, USA. He is an American Baptist pastor. He leads the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. From 2012 to 2014, he served as the president of the Southern Baptist Convention. This was a very important role, as he was the first African-American person to hold this position.
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Early Life
Fred Luter was born in New Orleans on November 11, 1956. He was the middle child in a family of five kids. After his parents divorced, his mother, Viola Luter, raised him and his siblings by herself. She worked as a seamstress.
Ministry Work
Luter started his ministry work in 1977 in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. This happened after he was in a motorcycle accident. He has said that this accident was his "road to Damascus moment." This means it was a big turning point in his life, like when Saul of Tarsus changed his life to become Paul the Apostle.
He began by preaching on the streets. During this time, Luter noticed that he needed to attract more men, especially fathers, to his church. So, he started hosting events that men would find interesting. For example, in 1981, he hosted a gathering to watch a televised boxing match between Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard. His first sermon inside a church building was in 1983. This took place at the Law Street Missionary Baptist Church in New Orleans. He was working as a staff minister at Greater Liberty Baptist Church when he heard about an opening at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. He decided to apply for the job there.
Leading Franklin Avenue Baptist Church
In 1986, Fred Luter became the senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. At that time, the church had only 65 members. Before Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, the church had grown a lot. It had over 7,000 members, making it the largest church linked to the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisiana.
After Hurricane Katrina, many people from New Orleans had to leave their homes. Luter helped the church rebuild its membership. By the time he was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the church had 5,000 members again. Luter has a special way to help his church grow, which he calls "FRANgelism." The letters "FRAN" stand for friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors. This idea is about connecting with people in your social network and inviting them to join the church community.
Becoming President of the Southern Baptist Convention
In 2012, Fred Luter was chosen to be the president of the Southern Baptist Convention. This was a very important moment because he was the first African-American president in the history of the SBC.
The day after Luter was elected, the SBC made another important decision. They voted to allow churches to use "Great Commission" as an alternative name instead of "Southern." This was for churches that wanted a different name from the traditional one. Luter was nominated by David Crosby. He took over the role from Bryant Wright.
When Luter was re-elected for his second and final year as president, he stated his main goal. He wanted "to improve racial harmony" within the convention.
Personal Life
Fred Luter married Elizabeth W. Luter in 1980. They have two children. Their daughter, Kimberly Ann "Kim" Luter, was born in 1982. Their son, Fred J. "Chip" Luter III, was born in 1985. Chip is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University and is also a Baptist minister. Elizabeth Luter, born in 1956, is involved with LifeWay Women's Conferences.
Recognition
In 2012, Fred Luter received special honors for his hard work and care for others. He was given an honorary doctorate in theology from Criswell College. He also received one from Oklahoma Baptist University.
See also
- List of Southern Baptist Convention affiliated people
- Southern Baptist Convention
- Southern Baptist Convention Presidents
