Walter B. Shurden is former chair of the department of Christianity, Callaway Professor of Christianity, and executive director of the Center for Baptist Studies at Mercer University. He has also served as dean of the School of Theology and professor of Church History at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, professor of religion at Carson Newman College, and pastor of the First Baptist Church of Ruston, Louisiana. Since his retirement from Mercer in 2007, he has been designated as minister at large for Mercer University. Michael E. Williams, Sr. is professor of History at Dallas Baptist University. He is the coeditor of TURNING POINTS IN BAPTIST HISTORY published by Mercer University Press (2008) and author of I. T. TICHENOR AND THE CREATION OF THE BAPTIST NEW SOUTH published by the University of Alabama Press (2005).