What would you offer to North Carolina Baptists as first vice president of the Baptist State Convention (BSC)?
N.C. Baptist leaders sitting down together this year creates a sense of renewal on the horizon in our commitment to our primary tasks of missions and evangelism. I offer N.C. Baptists an equal sentiment of urgency to diminish hostility engendered by our awkward approach to our rich diversity. I will work agreeably with our new executive director, other Convention staff and officers. I offer Baptist association experience, where missions vision as well as community are primary. Given the diverse cultural landscape of Baptist life, I offer an ethnic experience, which is emerging as more relevant than ever to N.C. Baptists.

To which of the two identifiable groups - conservatives and moderates - do you more closely relate?
I am theologically conservative. While I am more aligned with the "conservative group" in our state, some of my best fellowship is also among friends of the "moderate group." I am opposed to the arrogance, intolerance and judgmentalism that are sometimes represented in the extreme of either camp. I identify with those who share the message of salvation in Jesus, in whom is the basis for Christian fellowship.

How do you view the concept and goals of the "Committee of 20?"
I am pleased by the intent of the "Committee of 20" to seek community in the midst of our theological disagreements. This is not an easy task, but it is a necessary one for N.C. Baptists. The "Committee of 20" or any such group seeking harmony and reconciliation within our Convention deserves my highest praise and my commitment to unite with them to accomplish that end in the Spirit of Christ.

If you lose the election for first vice president, will you support your opponent?
I have read the record of the distinguished manner in which Mrs. Cook has served our Christ in North Carolina. The Woman's Missionary Union (WMU) keeps missions support alive in my association. I know Mrs. Cook has an enthusiastic heart for WMU and missions. If she is elected to serve as our first vice president, I will support her and equally esteem her as my beloved sister in the Lord's work as I do now. I would be ashamed to do less.

Would you and your church ordain a woman to become the pastor of a church? Yes or No? Why or why not?
It is not the practice of churches I serve to ordain our women to the gospel ministry with a view to becoming a pastor. We do not call our women to that office and neither are they aspiring to it. The ministry of gifted Christian women throughout our churches is no less meaningful and rewarding notwithstanding we do not call them as pastors. This is the position my church holds, but we enjoy Christian fellowship with those who choose to do otherwise.

Does the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) have a place/role within Southern Baptist life? Why or why not?
Accomplishing the Great Commission requires every fruitful effort anyone can make to reach people for Christ. I respect the avenues by which the CBF and Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) ministries are being supported. I also agree that we in North Carolina should recognize the decision of any church to determine mission support as they choose. I count the total efforts of the CBF and SBC as complementary in our corporate response to Christ's charge to make disciples of all the earth.

What are the qualifications for individual Baptists to serve on the boards of the agencies, institutions and General Board of the BSC?
I think persons invited to serve N.C. Baptists through the boards of our agencies, institutions and General Board should possess: (1) a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; (2) an obvious churchmanship that reflects commitment to the ministry of the local church; (3) an honorable, Christian reputation; (4) an enthusiastic support of the Baptist State Convention; (5) a commitment to the mission of that board, agency or institution; (6) a willingness to serve faithfully in a spirit of cooperation with others of diverse perspectives.

In what church do you hold membership? What is the track record of your church in world missions? What were Cooperative Program (CP) gifts in 1996? What percentage of your church's undesignated gifts does the CP gifts represent? What is the amount of your church's designated mission gifts? To what causes? Does your congregation participate in "hands on missions" locally, in the state, in the nation and the world? If so, where and in what projects? What missions education/support programs does your church maintain for different age groups?
I am a member of Bear Swamp Church who taught me missions through organized Royal Ambassadors and, later, Brotherhood groups. Our church gives 11 percent of its receipts to missions of which 6 percent is for Cooperative Program, 4 percent association and 1 percent Native American missions through the association's mission initiatives.

God has given Burnt Swamp Association an open door for ministry in Indian reservation communities. Our church is involved in mission projects every summer, cooperating with the association's strategy. We have participated in construction; youth camp; mission Vacation Bible Schools (VBS); back yard VBS; and community surveys projects in Oklahoma, South Dakota, North Dakota and New Mexico.

We have provided funds to assist teams to do similar projects also in Maine, New York, South Carolina, Florida and Honduras.

Our Native American mission funds provide support for a Sioux mission pastor in the Dakotas and an Oklahoma Creek Southern Baptist evangelist to disproportionately unreached reservation communities. In addition, we assist in various mission needs that arise through our participation in our Southern Baptist Native American Fellowship.

Our church provides mission education for children, youth and adults. We have organized groups of Mission Friends, Girls in Action, Acteens and Women on Mission as well as Baptist Men.