Father Mercer

Father Mercer tells the story of the life and labors of Jesse Mercer, a leader in Georgia Baptist life during the first half of the nineteenth century. His influence was felt in many areas as he was pastor of several churches, author of numerous writings, editor of a newspaper and a hymnal, philanthropist, and denominational statesman. Mercer's life span and his ministerial responsibilities uniquely positioned him to play a key role in the development of Baptist thought in the Old South.

Before Mercer's birth, Baptists in Georgia were not able to worship freely, were not organized for missions and had few opportunities for ministerial education. Throughout his adult life, Mercer helped Georgia Baptists utilize their newfound freedom to spread the gospel and equip pastors through the formation of the Georgia Baptist Convention and Mercer University. Readers may be particularly interested to discover the difficulties faced by Jesse Mercer as he attempted to persuade fellow Baptists to join in collaborative efforts for missionary and educational enterprises. The trajectory that began in Mercer's day continues even now as Baptists lead the way in Protestant missionary efforts and Mercer University is one of the largest Baptist educational institutions in the world.

Yet, rather than telling the story of a larger-than-life pastor with whom few "ordinary" pastors can identity, Father Mercer reveals how one who is faithful in small things can, over time, bear much fruit for the Lord. Pastors who have been wounded by church members by their neglect of Christian duties will strike a friendship with Jesse Mercer who handled more than his share of opposition. College students who have left home for the first time will discover how God used the twists and turns in Mercer's life to prepare him for opportunities he never foresaw.