Dr. Jerry Vines has been a Baptist pastor and preacher for over 60 years, working to win people to Christ and to help those who know Christ grow in their Christian lives. A native of Carrollton, Georgia, Pastor Vines was educated at Mercer University (BA), New Orleans Theological Seminary (BD), and Luther Rice Seminary (ThD). He pastored the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida for 24 years until retiring in 2006, and while there also served two terms as President of the Southern Baptist Convention, from 1988-1989. Pastor Vines is a year-round Alabama football fan, and is working on his PhD at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for fun in his retirement. He and his wife, Janet, have four children and seven grandchildren.