Paul Pressler to be nominated for SBC first vice president

From staff and wire reports

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -Paul Pressler, a leader of the conservative movement to gain control of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), will be nominated for first vice president of the SBC during its annual meeting in St. Louis.

Richard Land, president of the SBC's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, will nominate Pressler, a retired Texas appeals court judge.

Pressler has served on the SBC Executive Committee (1984-91), the International Mission Board (1992-2000), and the Baptist World Alliance's General Council.

Upon hearing that Pressler might be considering the position, Land asked if he might have the "privilege and the honor" of nominating Pressler.

While many Southern Baptists know of Pressler's leadership in the conservative movement, Land said he has known the judge since he was a 16-year-old high school student in Texas.

"Without reservation, I wouldn't be in the ministry today without Judge and Nancy's [his wife] ministry in my life," Land said. "It is an opportunity to express my profound gratitude and debt to Judge Pressler to nominate him."

The Presslers led a Bible study for teenagers interested in attending eastern universities. Land said their studies prepared him for the unique challenges that evangelical Christians face on Ivy League campuses.

Pressler, 71, is the author of "A Hill on Which to Die" that gives the conservative side of the battle between conservatives and moderates in the SBC. The book is published by Broadman & Holman of the SBC's LifeWay Christian Resources.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University, graduating cum laude in 1957. As a 26-year-old law student, he was elected to the Texas State Legislature. From 1970-78 he served as judge of the 133rd Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas.

From 1978-92 he served as a justice on the Court of Appeals of Texas, 14th District. He currently practices law with the firm of Woodfill and Pressler.

Pressler served as president of the Council for National Policy from 1988-90 and continues as a board member. He also is a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church of Houston.

Pressler is a native of Houston where he lives with his wife of more than 40 years. They have three children and seven grandchildren.