Tom elliff biography

Dr.
A third generation Southern Baptist pastor with both father and grandfather having served as pastors and associational director of missions.
Tom Elliff serves as president of the International Mission Board, the global mission arm of the Southern Baptist Convention.

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After pastoring for forty-two years, Tom Elliff served as the International Mission Board’s President from 2011–2014, as Senior Vice President for Spiritual Nurture and Church Relations from 2005–2009, and as a missionary in Zimbabwe from 1981–1983. Pastorates have included churches in Arkansas, Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma. Tom has also served as the president of the SBC Pastors Conference and two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Tom is the founder of Living in the Word Publications, named after a radio broadcast he hosted for twenty-five years. Living in the Word is a writing, publishing and speaking ministry focused on the urgency of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth and the ongoing necessity of spiritual awakening. Tom has spoken in conferences and crusades around the world. Blessed with four children and twenty-five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, Tom is a frequent speaker at conferences and on programs addressing issues related to family life. Tom is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University (BA), Southwestern Seminary (M.Div.), and S

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Tom Elliff, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) International Mission Board (IMB), married Diana Barber on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, June 2. The wedding was performed by their six sons and sons-in-law. Both Elliff and Barber were married nearly 50 years each to spouses who now reside in heaven.

Barber’s husband, Wayne Barber, was pastor of Woodland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tenn., and served as the lead men’s teacher for Precept Ministries International. Wayne died on August 29, 2016.

Elliff’s wife, Jeannine Thomas Elliff, died on July 20, 2015, after a long struggle with cancer. She served as Elliff’s consummate helpmate in his roles as pastor in Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma; missionary in Zimbabwe; senior vice president and then president of IMB; president of the SBC Pastor’s Conference; and two terms as president of the SBC.

Elliff stated, “Jeannie and I first met Diana and Wayne over dinner 33 years ago in Salzburg, Austria. Though our paths crossed only occasionally in the ensuing years,

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RICHMOND, Va. (BP)–Following is the bio of Tom Elliff, who was the unanimous recommendation of a 15-member board of trustee search committee to be the next president of International Mission Board:

Thomas (Tom) D. Elliff

BORN

Feb. 21, 1944, in Paris, Texas. A third generation Southern Baptist pastor with both father and grandfather having served as pastors and associational director of missions.

FAMILY

Wife, Jeannie Thomas, married Aug. 20, 1966. Four grown children: Beth, Amy, Sarah, Jon. Twenty-five grandchildren

EDUCATION

2007, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Doctor of Ministry

1971, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity

1966-67, Ouachita Baptist University, Graduate Teaching-Fellowship (History)

1966, Ouachita Baptist University, Bachelor of Arts/Major: History

Honorary, Mid-Continent Baptist Bible College, Doctor of Divinity

Honorary, Southwest Baptist University, Doctor of Sacred Theology

EXPERIENCE

2005-Present, Founder of Living in the Word Publications, a writing and speaking ministry focused on spiritual awakening