Bush Thanks Southern Baptists for True Love Waits

SAN ANTONIO (BP)--President Bush praised Southern Baptists for their humanitarian efforts and thanked them for their Christian witness and support of religious liberty during a satellite address to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting June 13 in San Antonio, Texas.

"I appreciate your many good works that make our nation a stronger and more hopeful place," Bush said. "Every day Southern Baptists are giving back to their communities and ministering to those in need."

"I believe building a culture of life in our country also means promoting adoption and teaching teen abstinence, funding crisis pregnancy programs and supporting the work of faith-based groups," Bush said. "In defending the lives of the weakest and the most vulnerable members of our society, we reflect the compassion and humanity of America, and we will continue to work toward the day when every child is welcomed in life and protected in law."

In addition to their efforts in the United States, Bush expressed his appreciation for the work of Southern Baptists around the world. He cited Baptist efforts to provide medical care in Africa to those with malaria and AIDS, as well as the SBC-sponsored True Love Waits campaign in Uganda that promotes sexual abstinence until marriage.

Because of that campaign, Bush said, Uganda has made progress against AIDS.

"And now you're building on the success by expanding this important program to six more countries in Africa," Bush said. "By dealing with infectious diseases, we can make the world a better place, and that helps us here at home. I also believe that helps lift our soul and lifts our spirits when we help those who suffer among us."

Posted on Baptist Press on June 13, 2007 | by Tim Ellsworth