INDIANAPOLIS—The Southern Baptist Convention opened its annual meeting in Indianapolis, June 15, with an address from President Bush. According to Baptist Press, President Bush spoke live via satellite from the White House. He addressed the messengers representing some 16 million members of the second largest Christian denomination in the United States.

Bush spoke against abortion and cloning and about upholding the "culture of life." He also spoke about the sanctity of marriage.

SBC President Jack Graham told the Executive Committee on June 14 that the denomination is not looking to endorse candidates, but instead to have candidates endorse Southern Baptist values.

"We're thankful that George W. Bush has endorsed many of the values that we hold dear," he said.

Bush has addressed the convention for the past three years.

The SBC also began their two-day annual meeting by voting to withdraw from the Baptist World Alliance, according to Baptist Press. The move was expected by many after negotiations failed earlier this year with the fellowship organization, which includes 211 member Baptist conventions and unions.

Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and one of nine SBC leaders named to a committee to evaluate the relationship between the SBC and BWA, told messengers that the BWA had taken a notable "leftward drift" both theologically and politically.

"We can no longer afford in this particular day, when the press for gay marriage is on, to be in an alliance of any kind with denominations which support gay marriage in any form or fashion," Patterson said. "Nor is it possible for us to be any longer in affiliation with some of the denominations of the BWA who do not believe in the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture and regularly call it into question."

The withdrawal of membership will take effect Oct. 1, 2004.

In another vote the SBC elected Bobby Welch, pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla., as president. Welch is the co-creator of the popular FAITH Sunday School Evangelism Strategy and the author of "You, the Warrior Leader," "Evangelism Through the Sunday School: A Journey of Faith" and "The Sacrificed Life." He has served as a trustee for LifeWay Christian Resources and as a member of the SBC Committee on Resolutions and Committee on Nominations.

Welch replaces Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, who has served as SBC president for the past two years.