Southern Baptist president has cancer

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  — Southern Baptist Convention President Johnny Hunt announced Monday that he has prostate cancer and expects to have surgery in January.

The 57-year-old Hunt, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, said he believes the cancer was detected early.

Hunt was elected SBC president at the convention's June 2008 annual meeting in Indianapolis and re-elected at this year's meeting in Louisville, Ky.

In a statement released through the Baptist Press, he said doctors have monitored his prostate carefully.

Hunt said he and his wife Janet "are now praying for wisdom from Heaven to know exactly what procedure to choose to deal with this cancer, probably around the second week in January. We would appreciate your prayers on this journey.

"As a pastor, one thing that comes to mind is that there are far more trials and illnesses in God's family than we are aware of. My heart goes out to all who are challenged with cancer, or whatever the illness may be."

He said cancer "has been a great reminder of my mortality, and also of a genuine faith that has brought me through everything that I have ever faced; so, the Lord has been speaking encouraging words into my heart."

With 16.2 million members, the Nashville-based SBC is the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S.