Page 20 - Western Recorder NOVEMBER 2020

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Western Recorder ǀ November 2020
Photo by Robin Cornetet
Chad Fugitt had quite a memorable year as president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. During his presidency, he resigned as pastor of Central Baptist Church in Corbin and accepted the pastorate of Ormsby Heights Baptist Church in Louisville. That move, along with his presidency, came in the midst of a global pandemic.
His term as KBC president will end at the November Annual Meeting. Here he reflects on his presidency.
What did you learn about the KBC during your presidency that you didn’t know beforehand?
I have been involved in KBC work for many years. I think the reality that has been most assuring for me to see up close and personal is the biblical fidelity and fervent passion for the lost to be saved that is being displayed by our KBC staff. In a day when so many are calling into question SBC leadership and their devotion to God’s Word, our staff stands strongly on the Word. Faithful- ness to the scriptures is always the first priority. That faithfulness leads the staff to think and strategize and live out the reality of the Great Commission.
What goals have you achieved during your presidency?
I’m not sure that goals and 2020 have anything in common. But the call to serve as the president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention is a call to serve the churches. In May, we held our first virtual mission board meeting. Hosting over a hundred mission board members via Zoom was an incredible work by our KBC staff and a great day at the same time.
I’ve also tried to make myself available to our KBC staff and the churches of the convention. The role of president is a role of servanthood. I’m grateful that I’ve had that opportunity to serve the churches of our commonwealth.
What is the best advice you received during this past year?
Be present. Actually the advice was, “Always be in the room for the meetings and the work of the convention.” In 2020, I’ve had to settle for simply being present! Many of our meetings have happened online. Being present helps you to under- stand what is happening in the life of the convention and how we can best serve the churches of our convention.
What advice would you give to presidents in the years ahead?
I would advise future presidents to take steps to reach out to churches and leaders in our state and, in particu- lar, give younger pastors opportunities to serve in our convention.
The pastor is the “gatekeeper” of the local church. When pastors are given the opportunity to see all the wonder- ful things our KBC is doing, they will wholeheartedly challenge their church to engage in this work through serving in the events, coming to the equipping conferences and giving to the Cooper- ative Program.
That was my experience as a young pastor in my 20s. I had no idea the amount of good our convention was doing in the state until I was asked to serve by Kentucky Baptist presidents. My eyes were opened in so many ways from the people who were having their lives transformed at Crossings camps to the missionaries who were serving faithfully in the hills of eastern Ken- tucky. God is working and moving in this state, we simply need to join Him in this great work.