The list of Sunrise Children’s Services trustees, duly and publicly elected by the messengers of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, suddenly disappeared from the organization’s website today. Because I believe those trustees, elected by Kentucky Baptists, deserve to know how Kentucky Baptists feel about the current deliberations of the board, I have posted the names and, where available, unless they have requested otherwise, email addresses of trustees below.
How I wish Sunrise President Bill Smithwick would have been willing and desirous to meet with Kentucky Baptists or their elected leadership before attempting to secretly change the biblical convictions that have guided the organization since its founding 154 years ago! Surely we could have found a better way to walk forward together. Nevertheless, having heard from many of the trustees, I know that we still have reason to be hopeful that the board will reject Smithwick’s recommendation.
Regarding, Smithwick’s recommendation, a quick reading of a Baptist Press article from April 20, 2000 communicates the stark contrast to his former position, when the ministry was known as Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children. Consider these excerpts from that article:
“Bill Smithwick, executive director of the Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, told news media the agency will defend itself against the suit. Homosexuals are not good role models for the Baptist Homes’ children, many of whom have been sexually abused or are sexually confused, Smithwick told the media.”
“But the Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children will not abandon its beliefs on homosexuality in order to keep its state contract, Smithwick said.”
“The agency’s board of directors decided in March to defend their belief that hiring homosexual counselors is ‘not the best way to care for troubled and abused children,'” Smithwick said.
“‘We are not going to acquiesce to political pressure,’ he said. It’s not ‘a religious issue. It’s a child-advocacy issue. What we’re talking about is what’s in the best interest of children.'”
“Noting that the KBHC is a faith-based organization, he added, ‘We believe for us to promote homosexual behavior is not in the best interest of any child. Such behavior could have devastating emotional and physical consequences.'”
Please join me in praying for the trustees. Should you choose to contact them, keep in mind that the proposed change in hiring practices was raised by the president rather than the board. The trustees with whom I have spoken are noble individuals who want to help meet the needs of hurting children, desire to know how Kentucky Baptists feel about these matters, and long to honor God through their service.
Board Chair
Ms. Joyce Smith
Louisville, KY
CPA
Board Vice-Chair
Mr. William A. Hurley
Lexington, KY
Business Owner
Board Treasurer
Mr. Dennis H. Reed, Sr.
Louisville, KY
Retired
President
Dr. Bill Smithwick
BOARD MEMBERS
Mr. Thomas Adkisson
Shelbyville, KY
CPA
Mr. Paul Barrick, Jr.
Lawrenceburg, KY
Retired
Mr. Thomas A. Christopher
Danville, KY
CPA – Robinson, Hughes & Christopher
Mr. James M. Gary
Louisville, KY
Attorney
Mrs. Pat Gutierrez
Bowling Green, KY
Teacher
Mr. W. Jerry Hurt
Louisville, KY
CPA
Mrs. Bethann Johnson
Bowling Green, KY
Children’s Minister
Mr. Terry M. Johnson
Union, KY
Sr. Account Manager
Mr. Michael D. Lyons
Salyersville, KY
Attorney/Real Estate
Mrs. Jennifer B. Oldham
Elizabethtown, KY
Attorney/Prosecutor – Hardin County
Mr. Eric R. Oliver
Elizabethtown, KY
Sports Medicine Coordinator – Hardin Memorial Hospital
Mrs. Alice J. Pepper
Elizabethtown, KY
Retired Teacher
Mrs. Marketi D. Perry
Danville, KY
Homemaker
Mr. Billy N. Riley
Grand Rivers, KY
County Attorney – Livingston County
Mr. Cory A. Samsil
Paducah, KY
Financial Planner
Mr. Stan Spees
Paducah, KY
Attorney
Dr. Stephen L. Walters
Pikeville, KY
Anesthesiologist
Mrs. Charlotte M. Whittaker
Hartford, KY
Retired
Mr. Brent Yonts
Greenville, KY
Attorney/State Representative
Mr. Michael B. Zimmerman
West Paducah, KY
VP of Business Development
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