James Merritt
Encyclopedia
Dr. James Merritt, born December 22, 1952, is a U.S. religious leader and President of the Southern Baptist Convention
from 2000-2002.
, 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.
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."
, a suburb of Atlanta.
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
from 2000-2002.
Early life and education
James Merritt is the son of Glen and Miriam Merritt. After graduating from South Hall High School in Hall CountyHall County, Georgia
Hall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. In 2000, the population was 139,277. It is included in the Gainesville, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, Merritt attended Stetson University
Stetson University
Stetson University is a private university with four colleges and schools located across the I-4 corridor in Central Florida. The primary undergraduate campus is located in DeLand, Florida, USA. In the 2012 U.S...
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
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary , located in Louisville, Kentucky, is the oldest of the six seminaries affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention . The seminary was founded in 1859, at Greenville, South Carolina. After being closed during the Civil War, it moved in 1877 to Louisville...
. After graduating with a Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
degree and a PhD, Merritt pastored Highland Baptist Church in Laurel, Mississippi
Laurel, Mississippi
Laurel is a city located in Jones County in Mississippi, a state of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 18,393 although a significant population increase has been reported following Hurricane Katrina. Located in southeast Mississippi, southeast of...
for three years, and then relocated to Snellville, Georgia
Snellville, Georgia
Snellville is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States, east of Atlanta. The population was 15,351 at the 2000 census. The city's mayor, Jerry Oberholtzer, was elected to a 4-year term in 2007. The city's commercial and residential development has grown enormously in recent years...
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 evangelicalEvangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
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
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
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
Fox News Sunday
Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace is a public affairs program on the Fox network, hosted by Chris Wallace and airing on Sunday mornings. The show began on April 28, 1996, which predated the launch of Fox News Channel, and usually talks about items similar to Sunday morning talk shows...
, MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
's Scarborough Country
Scarborough Country
Scarborough Country was an opinion/analysis show broadcast on MSNBC Monday - Thursday at 9 P.M. ET. It was hosted by former congressman Joe Scarborough....
, 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
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
Duluth, Georgia
Duluth is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia and an increasingly more affluent and developed suburb of Atlanta. Unincorporated portions of Forsyth County also have Duluth as a mailing address, though this area is outside city limits...
. 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, GeorgiaDacula, Georgia
As of 2010 Dacula had a population of 4,442. the median age was 35.2. There were 1,472 households with 92.0% of housing units occupied. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 76.6% white , 11.3% black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian Indian, 2.8% other...
, a suburb of Atlanta.
See Also
- Southern Baptist ConventionSouthern Baptist ConventionThe Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
- Southern Baptist Convention PresidentsSouthern Baptist Convention PresidentsThe President of the Southern Baptist Convention heads the denomination and is elected at the yearly convention. The term is for one year, and a candidate can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.-See also:...
- List of Southern Baptist Convention affiliated people