The Rev. Fred Luter Jr., the Southern Baptist Convention’s first African-American president, shared the importance of having a renewed mind with Belmont students, faculty and staff during the University’s Nov. 20 chapel service.
“Every decision you make in life is going to lead to a consequence. And that consequence leads to a blessing or a burden,” said Luter, who shared the story of how his involvement in gangs led to his hospitalization before he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.
“Boy, obedience is better than sacrifice,” he recalled a deacon telling him as he lie on a hospital bed with a broken leg and hole in his head.
Referencing Philippians 2:5-8, Luter told students they can maintain focus by focusing their minds on Christ to lead them to make the right decisions.
“There is not a day when your mind is not being tempted by the devil, whether it is something you watch on TV or see on the Internet. The enemy will do all that he can to attack the minds of the sons and daughters of God,” he said.
Luter also serves as senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, La.
“Our Baptist connections are strong as we host the largest Mission Fuge in the country, have missionaries-in-residence from Venezuela for the 2014-15 academic year and have a Baptist Campus Ministries led by Tennessee Baptist Convention-provided staff member Ninette Smith,” said Vice President for Spiritual Development Todd Lake.
Belmont is the largest ecumenical Christian university in the country. Belmont’s faculty, staff and administration uphold Jesus as the Christ and the measure for all things. As part of a Christian community of learning and service, students encounter Christian values relevant to personal growth, service and spiritual maturity and are expected to commit themselves to high moral standards. Belmont’s goal is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents so they can meet the world’s needs with disciplined intelligence, compassion, courage and faith.
