Southern Baptist Convention Leader Richard Land Tackles Issues During MC Visit

Southern Baptist Convention leader Richard Land focused on immigration reform, America’s abortion debate and other topics during his Mississippi College visit.

On February 14, Land served on a panel discussion at the MC School of Law that focused on the political and social issue of immigration reform with an eye towards Christian values and faith.

The president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission since 1988, Land was joined by James R. Edwards, a fellow for the Center for Immigration Studies. Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Leslie Southwick moderated the discussions at the law school in downtown Jackson.

A day later, Land spoke to hundreds of MC students during a Tuesday chapel program at First Baptist Church Clinton.

During his tenure with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Land has represented Southern Baptist values on Capitol Hill and lobbied members of Congress on behalf of evangelical concerns. An author and host of a nationally syndicated radio show, Dr. Land speaks with passion on the social, ethical and public policy issues facing America.

His two-day Mississippi College visit allowed him an opportunity to spread the word in the Magnolia State. Jackson television stations covered the debate at the School of Law.

The 64-year-old Texan spent much of his talk at the MC chapel program discussing abortion. He offered statistics showing 1.2 million to 1.5 million are killed every year due to abortion.

“The Southern Baptists are the most pro-life denomination in America,” Land  told MC students packing the pews at First Baptist Church. “Nine of every ten Southern Baptists are pro-life.”

Land also encouraged students at Baptist-affiliated Mississippi College to step up their faith, spread the Good News and live up to the words of Jesus Christ.

“Jesus calls us to go into a world festering with decay,” Land said. “We are to evangelize and we are to disciple,’’ he said. “Jesus tells his disciples let your light shine upon men.”

Exiting First Baptist Church, MC students gave the influential Evangelical leader high marks for his message.

“I really liked his pro-life (remarks),” said MC freshman Michelle Ladner of Gulfport.

The visiting Southern Baptist Convention leader, she said, “definitely provided food for thought.”

Abby Conn, an MC freshman from Philadelphia, Miss., said Land came to Mississippi College armed with loads of facts and commentary about the abortion issue. “I’d have to say I agree.”

Land concluded his stay in the Jackson area by joining President Lee Royce and other MC leaders, including Wayne VanHorn, dean of the School of Christian Studies and the Arts, and Eric Pratt, vice president for Christian Development, at a luncheon at Alumni Hall on the Clinton campus.