Where has this article been for so long? (June 6 editorial on Great Commission Resurgence/Bold Mission Thrust) For many years I have contended that Satan launched an attack on Southern Baptists when we adopted Bold Mission Thrust goals in 1976.

Satan knew that Southern Baptists working together could reach these goals. They were “kingdom sized” but not beyond reach of Jesus loving Baptists who believed in the Great Commission.

I recall challenging the church that I pastored and how we reached several of those goals to God’s glory. But it didn’t take long for Bold Mission Thrust to take a back seat for those who thought we needed to argue and be divided over the Bible.

God’s word has not changed, regardless of how much we argue about it. The gospel is still the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes it. It is sad to see how Satan moved our attention away from making the main thing the main thing, reaching people with the good news of Jesus Christ.

It is my prayer that God will hasten the day when we as Southern Baptists can celebrate what God is doing through us to carry out the Great Commission.

D. Harold Bennett Jr.
Boone