SBC Biographies

Dr. Rev. George W. Truett

George was the seventh child of Charles L. and Mary R. (Kimsey) Truett. He graduated from Hayesville Academy in 1885. George's mother Mary, as a lifestyle, spent much time in prayer, especially praying for the conversion of her family. She shared her faith often at home with her family. George and his father Charles finally received the Lord Jesus Christ during a revival led by Evangelist I.G. Pulliam in 1886 when George was nineteen years old. George and his father were baptized together in a creek by the pastor of the Hayesville Baptist Church where his mother Mary was already an active member. The next Wednesday night worship service, George was asked to give his testimony to the church, to tell of the peace he received after receiving Christ. After giving his testimony, George found himself walking the church aile pleading with his friends and others present to hasten to receive Christ in order to receive this same peace in knowing Christ, His love and His forgiveness. Many did receive Christ after George gave an invitation. He began to teach the Bible every Sunday in Sunday School. That same year George surrendered to the call of his God to become a full time Southern Baptist pastor and minister.

At the young age of nineteen, to pay his way through college, George became the founder and principal of a Christian school, the Hiawassee Academy in Towns County, Ga., 1887-89. Many young people received Christ through the witness of George and the teachers of this school. The school reached an enrollment of over three hundred and the school employed three teachers. 

In 1889, George followed his parents when they moved to Whitewright, Grayson County, Texas where the First Baptist Church of Whitewright ordained Rev George W. Truett to the ministry in 1890. In 1891, Rev. Truett preached his first sermon at the First Baptist Church of Sherman, Texas. A few weeks later he was appointed the financial secretary of Baylor University by the school president, the Rev. Dr. B.H. Carrol. He raised $92,000 for the school in 23 months (1891-93) to wipe out Baylor's indebtedness. After saving the school, he enrolled as a freshman in September of 1893 at the age of twenty-six. He graduated with the A.B. degree in June of 1897. In 1899 he earned his Doctor of Divinity degree at the age of thirty-two. Dr. Truett married Josephine Jenkins of Waco in 1894 and served as student-pastor of East Waco Baptist Church while a student at Baylor University.

In September of 1897, at the age of thirty, just after graduating with his Bachelor's degree from Baylor University, Dr. Truett accepted the call to become the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas and remained there until his death in 1944. He was known as one of the world's greatest preachers. 

Many who heard him preach called Dr. Truett "the second Spurgeon." People hung on his every word. In one sermon he said, "Our cities saved means the salvation of civilization. Our cities lost means the corruption and destruction of civilization." He went on to show that the spiritually healthy family is the key to a healthy strong city and nation. He warned, "The home is in peril and endangered. If people trifle with the home they are undermining the foundation of an enduring and worthy civilization." He pleaded for families to repent and make Christ the head of their home and first love. He pleaded for the unconverted to receive Christ and help save our city of Dallas and nation of America. Many modern pastors, Bible teachers and scholars believe that if enough American Christian families had continued to heed the above words of Dr. Truett our nation would not have declined as it has in recent decades.   

From the year 1900 Dr. Truett was constantly in demand by pastors, churches and university presidents all across the United States as an evangelist for revivals, baccalaureate preacher and commencement address speaker as well as for convocations and denominational sermons and addresses.  

During his 47 year pastorate, membership increased from 715 to 7,804; a total of 5337 baptisms and 19,531 new members were received, over 4000 average attendance in Sunday School and total contributions were $6,027,741.52. Under his leadership, the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas became the largest church in the world during the 1930's. Over a thousand people had to be turned away from the church doors on any given Sunday due to overcrowding, standing room only. Those turned away were encouraged to listen to the sermon by radio which they did.

Dr. Truett was known as a man who not only preached the Word of God effectively but he also lived the Word of God. He had a heart for and a great influence on the unconverted. He set aside two mornings every week for correspondence with the unconverted. Dr. Truett also had great love and compassion for all that compelled him to always make a stand for Biblical principles. Once a young lady was brought before the church at a church business meeting for discipline because of a violation of the church covenant. A church leader publicly suggested that she be dropped from the roll of the church. As the debate developed, Truett asked if he could speak to the large crowd and he was given permission. He said, "Let us also call the church treasurer and have him read the record of the giving of every member, and let us vote to drop everyone who has violated God's law against covetousness." Like a bomb exploding, the air was cleared of accusers. The meeting was closed and Dr. Truett made it his goal to help restore the accused lady to Christian faithfulness.  

In 1903, Dr. Truett challenged a group of north Texas community leaders by asking the question, "Is it not now time to begin the erection of a great humanitarian hospital, one to which men of all creeds, and those of none, may come with equal confidence?" This question is mounted on a bronze plaque at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas (BUMC) and is written as a reminder of the purpose of BUMC in much of the BUMC staff lierature. Dr. Truett joined R.C. Buckner, who had pioneered a small-scale hospital in an annex of the Buckner Orphan's Home in east Dallas, and wealthy Dallas layman C.C. Slaughter, in giving birth to the Texas Baptist Sanitarium in Dallas, Texas (now the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, known today as one of the greatest and most modern hospitals in the world). The influence of Dr. Truett lives on at BUMC. Jim Walden, one time vice president and chief equity officer for Baylor Health Care Systems, stated, "That sense of justice and equality expressed by George W. Truett is a guiding principle. It starts at the top and works its way down. It makes a difference when it comes to making decisions about how to allocate resources. As a mission based organization, it's expressed in our commitment to take care of the medically underserved population." Baylor spends over 70 million dollars a year in uncompensated care and over 20 million dollars a year to charity care to the Dallas area community as a way to fulfill the vision of Dr. Truett.  

Dr. Truett served as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1927-29; President of the Baptist World Alliance 1934-39; trustee of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Fort Worth, Texas and Baylor Hospital, Dallas, Texas. 

Dr. Truett had a heart for the cowboys in Texas. For 37 summers, he was the preacher for the "Cowboy Camp Meetings" in west Texas. He was very concerned that these men spent a great deal of their lives isolated from society and the availability of a church. Dr. Truett enjoyed spending several weeks a year traveling with these men on their cattle drives, building relationships and winning many of them to salvation in Jesus Christ. 

Dr. Truett also took time away to preach in churches all over America. He especially enjoyed visiting with his brother J.L. Truett and preaching at his church in Pilot Point, Texas. Rev. J. L. Truett founded the Calvary Baptist Church in 1907 and pastored the church until 1915. Under his leadership, the Calvary Baptist Church grew to become a strong Southern Baptist church in rural Denton county. George recruited his famous Southern Baptist pastor friends, Dr. Rev. B.H. Carroll and Dr. Rev. R.C. Buckner, to preach at his brother's church from time to time. Each time these famous pastors preached at Calvary the church was filled with visitors from all around Denton county. J.L. was always very grateful to George  each time he and his friends frequented his church. The beautiful, sculptured wooden pulpit these great men preached from at Calvary is still used every Sunday morning during the traditional worship service at Calvary. Calvary remains honored to have had these great preachers and SBC leaders preach and minister at Calvary. Calvary continues to praise the Lord Jesus Christ for this rich heretage. George maintained a close relationship with his brother J.L., their parents and his other siblings, taking every opportunity to be a blessing to them in some way.

Dr. Truett was very humbled and honored to accept the appointment by President Woodrow Wilson to be one of twenty Chaplains for the YMCA to minister to the troops during World War I. He preached in uniform to Allied Forces for six months, winning many soldiers to Christ. He made an address on Baptists and Religious Liberty on the Capitol steps in Washington D. C. on May 16, 1920 and held the audience of 15000 spellbound for one hour and fifteen minutes, concluded by thunderous applause.

In addition, he went on a very successful preaching tour in South America during the summer of 1930. He was the sole American speaker on the program of the Spurgeon Centenary, London, England, in April of 1934. In 1934 and 1935 he preached in London, England, Egypt, Palestine, India, Burma, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Japan. He toured world mission fields as president of the Baptist World Alliance from 1935-1936. In 1937 he toured many European countries.  

Dr. Truett's health began to wane in 1938 when he suffered from influenza. He was stricken with bone cancer in 1943 and died of Paget's Disease and cardiorespiratory complications after several agonizing months. Dr. Truett passed into heaven to be with His Lord Jesus on July 7, 1944 from Dallas, Texas at the age of 77. He had faithfully served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas for 47 years.  

Since Truett's death, religious, educational, and healing institutional buildings erected or designated as memorials to him include the seven-story educational building of First Baptist Church, Dallas; George W. Truett Elementary School, Dallas; Truett Auditorium, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas; three Truett memorial churches located in Denver, Colo.; Hayesville, N. C.; and Los Angeles, Calif.; Truett-McConnell Junior College, Cleveland, Ga.; Baptist Orphanage, Nazareth, Israel; and the Truett Building of Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.

In 1950, Baylor Hospital in Dallas (now Baylor University Medical Center) dedicated the George W. Truett Hospital to the late Dr. Truett in honor of Dr. Truett's leadership on the board of the hospital and the many contributions and financial gifts that had been given to the hospital over many years by First Baptist Church of Dallas when Dr. Truett led the great church. Truett Hospital was the "Specialty Hospital" and only air conditioned hospital in Dallas at the time. These and many other modern features brought national attention to Baylor Hospital. Truett Hospital increased in the number of fine physicians appying for staff privileges. In the atrium of Truett Hospital is a bronz bust of Dr. Truett, a painting of Dr. Truett and a bronz plaque explaining the many contributions Dr. Truett and First Baptist Church of Dallas made to Baylor Hospital over many years of its growth and progress.

On March 2, 1991, the George W. Truett Theological Seminary was chartered at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Truett Seminary opened for its first academic year 1994-1995. Truett Seminary honors the faith, accomplishments and life of the great Dr. Rev. George W. Truett.

In addition, Dr. Truett published works, compiled and edited by others, include 10 volumes of his sermons, two volumes of addresses, and two volumes of his annual Christmas messages which originally appeared as personal letters to a large list of friends. His authorized biography, entitled George W. Truett-A Biography, by Powhatan W. James has appeared in six issues, five by the Macmillan Co., New York (1939-45) and the sixth, "Memorial Edition," by Broadman Press, Nashville (1953). Truett preached over 17000 sermons and won over 20000 to Christ.

Four characteristics sum up the ministry of Dr. Rev. George W. Truett:

1. Humility.  Honors never puffed him up with pride nor arrogance. The smallest child could approach him and the poorest person could reach his great heart of love and care.

2. Simplicity. You may wonder what the secret of his power was, because his messages, though profound, were always simple and filled with illustrations. He used short, pointed sentences with great Biblical references, always very relevant and easy to apply to common life.

3. Spirituality. Many said they felt as though they were in the presence of the Lord when they were in His company because of the strong filling of the Spirit flowing from him. With all of his spirituality, a person did not feel uncomfortable in his presence. He simply made persons want to be better people after being in his presence.

4. Oratory. He did not rant and rave to secure the attention of his hearers. He spoke in a simple, conversational voice. However, his voice of pathos and feeling would make his congregation weep and never be ashamed of it.

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To read the sermon Dr. Truett preached from the steps of the Capital in Washington D.C. on May 16, 1920, click on the following website:

http://www.biblebelievers.com/truett_baptist_religious.html

To read other sermons of Dr. Truett click on the following website:

http://www.bibleteacher.org/gwt_2.htm

Biographical Sources:
James, Powhatan W. George W. Truett - A Biography, 1939.
Wheeler, David Edward. "An evaluation of the evangelism of George W. Truett as related to his ministry at the First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas," 1994.
Price, John Milburn. Ten men from Baylor, 1945.

Archival sources in Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives
Truett, George W. Papers, Microfiche #119.
Dawson, Joseph Martin. Papers, 1935-1954. AR. 115.
Truett, George W. Collection, Various material, 73 items. AR. 447.

Internet sources 

http://www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?id=93&rc=1&list=multi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Truett

http://www.christianhistorytimeline.com/DAILYF/2003/05/daily-05-06-2003.shtml

http://newhopebaptistchurch-online.org/truett.html

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Dr. Rev. B.H. Carroll

Benajah Harvey Carroll was born near Carrolton, Carrol County, Mississippi, Dec. 27, 1843 and passed away into heaven from Fort Worth, Texas on Nov. 11, 1914. He was a Southern Baptist Convention pastor, teacher, denominational leader and author. He led in the founding of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and served as president of the seminary until his death. He was one of 12 children born to Benajah and Mary Eliza (Mallard) Carroll. His father was a Baptist pastor who supported his family by farming. He moved with his parents to Arkansas in 1848 and to Burleson County, Texas in 1858.

At 16 he entered Baylor University, then located at Independence, Texas. When the Civil War began, he enlisted in the Texas Ranger service to guard the Texas frontier. In 1862 he enlisted in the regular army. First assigned to the Seventeenth Regiment of the Texas infantry, he served to the end of the war. He received Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 1865 at the age of twenty-two. He became an active member of the First Baptist Church of Caldwell, Texas. He surrendered to the call of his God to full time vocational ministry and was ordained by his church one year after his conversion.

In 1866 he was married to Ellen Virginia Bell. To them were born nine children: Hassie, Ellen, Hallie, Jimmy, Guy Sears, B. H., Jr., Charles, Katherine, and Annie Louise. After the death of his first wife, he married Hallie Harrison in 1899. To them was born one son, Francis Harrison.

Although his college career was interrupted by the war, Baylor University granted him the Bachelor of Arts degree. In later years he received the honorary M.A. and D.D. degrees from the University of Tennessee and the LL.D. degree from the Keatchie College in Louisianna.

Following the war years, he preached to small churches in Burleson County and found it necessary to teach school for three years in order to pay debts incurred during the war. He served as pastor of Providence Church, Burleson County, and New Hope Church, McLennan County. In 1870 he was called to the pastorate of First Baptist Church, Waco, where he served until 1899 when he was elected corresponding secretary for the Texas Baptist Education Commission.

Always intensely interested in higher education, he taught theology and Bible at Baylor University from 1872 to 1905. He organized the Baylor Theological Seminary in 1905, and led in the founding of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, whose charter was granted.

On March 14, 1908 he became president of the seminary where he served until his death. The seminary was moved from Waco, Texas to Fort Worth, Texas in 1910.

He was known as an influential denominational leader. He served on several state and Southern Baptist Convention committees, making notable addresses in the interest of various areas of denominational work. He gave particular emphasis to evangelism, prohibition, Christian education, and the work of home missions.

The published works of Carroll total 33 volumes, comprising special addresses, doctrinal discussions, sermons, and expositions. His best known work is An Interpretation of the English Bible, a commentary of 13 volumes. Outstanding books of sermons are Jesus the Christ, Baptists and Their Doctrines, and Christ and His Church. There are yet 15 volumes of unpublished materials.

He possessed an outstanding personality. Towering several inches over six feet, he made a commanding appearance. In his later years he wore a flowing white beard. Endowed with a powerful but pleasing voice, he was widely known for his oratorical ability. Many stories are told concerning his unusual intellectual ability and especially with regard to his gift of memory. Certain spiritual experiences which he related indicate the depth and fervor of his piety and devotion to Jesus Christ. Shortly before his death he summoned Lee R. Scarborough, whom he had suggested to become his successor as president of Southwestern Seminary, and said to him, "Lee, lash the Seminary to the heart of the Savior." He passed into heaven November 11, 1914, and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Waco, Texas.

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Biographical Sources:
Lefevre, Alan Jeffery. Fighting the good fight: the life and work of Benajah Harvey Carroll, 1994.
Cranfill, J. B. Sermons and life sketch of B. H. Carroll, 1893.
Ray, Jefferson Davis. B. H. Carroll, 1927.

Archival sources in Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives:
Carroll, Benajah Harvey. Collection, 3 items. AR. 89.
Carroll, Benajah Harvey. Collection, MF 5332, 14 Reels.
Mullins, Edgar Young. Papers, 1860-1928. Microfiche 122.

Dr. Rev. R.C. Buckner

Robert C. Buckner, D.D., was born in Tennessee in 1833 and passed away into heaven from Dallas, Texas in 1919. He was a Southern Baptist Convention pastor, church planter, publisher, author, president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas from 1894-1913, founder of the Baptist Women's Missionary Training School (later transferred to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary), general agent of the Home Mission Board of the Baptist General Association, founder and General Manager of the Buckner Baptist Benevolences orphan children's home in Dallas, Texas and one of the founders of the Baptist Memorial Sanitarium in Dallas, Texas (now the great Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, one of the greatest medical centers in the world) and president of its board from 1904-1908.

Dr. Rev. R.C. Buckner was born to Daniel and Mary (Hampton) Buckner, natives of South and North Carolina. Daniel Buckner became a Christian in 1816 and walked twelve miles to join the church. He was baptized by elder Caleb Witt, began preaching in 1823 and was ordained by Chestau Church. He was the first Baptist minister to preach in Madisonville, Tennessee at the first protracted meeting at that place where he baptized twenty-five persons, five of whom became Baptist ministers, one of whom was his own son, H.F. Buckner, R.C.'s older brother. Daniel Buckner moved his family to Kentucky when R.C. was a small child and reared his family of six children, of whom R.C. was the fifth child.

H.F. Buckner, D.D., brother of R.C. Buckner, was among the most noted of American ministers to evangelize and convert the Native Americans to Christianity. He was born in 1818. He was a minister to the Creek Tribe for thirty-four years. During this time he arranged a Creek alphabet, created a Creek grammer book and hymn book and translated the greater portion of the Bible into the Creek language. He and his interpreter spent one year in New York organizing and properly classifying the work. Dr. Buckner suffered many hardships during the time he was with the Creek Tribe. During his residence with them he was adopted as a citizen of the Creek Nation. After his death, his widow and family continued to reside in the Nation where they enjoyed all the privileges of citizenship. Dr. Buckner, during his residence among the Creek Tribe, was always trusted as their true friend and traveled alone through many of the wild tribes without a feeling of fear. He died at the Creek Tribe Nation in 1882 at the age of sixty-four.        

Dr. Rev. R.C. Buckner moved his wife and children from Kansas to Paris, Texas for health reasons in 1859. Buckner did the work of the Lord wherever he lived. He was the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Paris, Texas for about fourteen years. He became the founder, editor and proprietor of the first Baptist newspaper called "The Texas Baptist" which reached a circulation of over 5000.

This was a time when Texas was still recovering from the Mexican War and settlers were fighting off unwelcoming wild, angry, hostile Native American tribes, not to mention disease and drought. The Civil War was getting ready to break out. There was great need in the state. One of the greatest needs was a place for orphan children to live.

This drove Dr. Buckner to organize a Deacon's Convention in 1877 to discuss the creation of an orphanage. Dr. Buckner initiated his first fund raising campaign, dropping his dollar in his hat and passing it among those gathered under a large oak tree. He raised twenty-seven dollars which provided the initial funds for the opening of the Buckner Orphan's Home in Dallas, Texas. The home admitted its first three orphans in 1879. 

One of Dr. Buckner's closest friends and fellow ministers was the Dr. Rev. George W. Truett who gave this testimony about his friend: "I observed the ritual of the children greeting R.C. as he stepped off the train at the depot. He was smothered by children who welcomed him home, hugged him, kissing his cheeks and calling him 'Papa.' It was a joyous custom among the children who lived at the Buckner Orphanage. They looked forward to meeting their 'Papa' at the train depot as he returned from his preaching and speaking engagements. On this particular occasion, R.C. observed a young girl named Mary standing to the side, unwilling to join the others as they hugged and kissed his cheeks. Mary was a sole survivor of a fire that killed her entire family and left her face and body badly scarred. R.C. left the other children and walked over to Mary. He knelt down close to her and asked her quietly, 'Mary! Why did you not come to kiss me hello?' Mary responded, with tears streaming down her cheeks, 'O, Papa! I could not ask you to kiss me. I am so ugly. But if you will just love me like you love the other children, and tell me you love me, then you need not kiss me at all.' At that., R.C. sat down on the depot platform, reached down, took Mary's little hand, gathered her on his lap and tenderly kissed her little face all over, over and over again, telling her how precious she was to him. Mary and R.C. had tears streaming down their faces as they both laughed out loud. Mary's tears of sadness had turned to tears of joy. I will never forget that precious scene."         

Dr. Buckner continued to use his favor with people and his mastery of words to rally people together to fund other Baptist orphanages, as well as hospitals, schools and support for the elderly. Houses for the elderly were lined up around the orphan's home, with the retired missionaries and pastors doubling as grandparents for the orphan children. Dr. Buckner was able to pull all Baptists, of all convention affiliations, together in a new direction in the Name of Jesus and in the name of charity. He was also able to gain much support from other groups: Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans and even Catholics and Jews who shared his values in helping those in need.

Dr. Buckner had even pioneered a small-scale hospital in an annex of his orphanage. This hospital served the needs of the orphanage as well as the surrounding Dallas area. Dr. Buckner joined with his good friend Dr. Rev. George W. Truett and wealthy Dallas layman C.C. Slaughter in raising funds to give birth to the Texas Baptist Sanitarium (now Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, one of the greatest and most highly respected medical centers in the world). 

Dr. Buckner was ahead of his time. He worked toward healing between the races. He founded the first high school in North Texas for African Americans. He broke ground for women, who had nowhere to study theology before he submitted a proposal to establish a women's training school.

Dr. Buckner became a member of the National Prison Congress and was frequently in attendance in their meetings. He was frequently sent by the Governor of Texas to the National Convention of Charity and Corrections. Until he passed into heaven, he continued to remain loyal to his ministerial duties and was frequently preaching and lecturing in churches and schools across America. 

When Dr. Buckner passed into heaven in 1919, his sons Joseph and Hal, and his grandson, Robert Cook, took over his ministry. They were able to lead Buckner Baptist Benevolences' to experience continued growth and branch out into other parts of the nation and world.

Today, Buckner International continues to operate and expand ministries throughout the world. Buckner International provides ministries that include residential child care, orphan care, adoption, foster care services, prevention programs, senior adult services, missionary opportunities, Christian counseling services, and a global humanitarian aid program called "Shoes for Orphan Souls," calling upon churches and other organizations to collect shoes for needy children around the world. Buckner International has become one of the largest private social care agencies of its kind in the world. 

A noted historian Karen Bullock once stated: "Buckner had led in championing the cause of the poor and vulnerable for many years. A man of incessant activity, he began a variety of campaigns for social justice."

In his book outlining the sesquicentennial history of Texas Baptists, Leon McBeth wrote: "Clearly, Buckner was a man ahead of his time, and just as clearly, Baptists supported his many social ministries heartily. Many Baptists opposed the 'social gospel' in those days, but, paradoxically, heartily supported the social ministries of 'Papa Buckner'."

In a letter to Dr. Buckner's biographers introducing their book "R.C. Buckner's Life of Faith and Works," the Dr. Rev. George W. Truett wrote: "Greater than all that he has said or done is the greatness of his character; his virile intellectual power; his indomitable strength of will; his moral resoluteness; his dauntless courage; his remarkable faith both in God and in men; his never failing optimism; his rich, deep, tender human sympathies-are all such as to make his personality greater and more valuable than can be measured in any terms that are human and earthly."   

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Biographical Sources:

All web sources from date of September 10, 2008

www.buckner.org/aboutus.shtml

www.baptiststandard.com/.../top_buckner.html

http://ftp.rootsweb.ancestry.com/pub/usgenweb/tx/dallas/bios/buckner-robertc