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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KT) - First Baptist Church Mayfield Pastor Wes Fowler made the top 10 list of Most Fascinating Southern Baptists of 2022 for his leadership to the church and community in the aftermath of last December's tornadoes in west Kentucky.
It's the second year in a row a Kentucky Baptist has made the top 10 list of Most Fascinating Southern Baptists following the selection of Ron Crow, the Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief director, last December.
A podcast and article by SBC This Week put together the list last week. Fowler said he came upon the news on social media.
"One evening last week, I was relaxing on the couch with my wife, simply enjoying a movie. I scrolled through my Twitter feed and noticed the article by SBC This Week. As I read through the article, I reflected on each event mentioned, but was certainly surprised to find my name! Honestly, my initial reaction was emotional," he said. "I suppose the past year has been rather difficult and seeing my name on the list was a humbling reminder of what we've endured. I'm honored by the recognition but, more importantly, I'm thankful to be part of a denominational family that has blessed us so abundantly.
"Southern Baptists responded to our tragedy with incredible generosity, and for that I will always be grateful. There's much we can debate, and there's certainly room for improvement, but we have a great deal to be thankful for."
Fowler may have been taken by surprise at the news, but few others would be, said Todd Gray, executive director-treasurer of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Fowler's leadership after the tornadoes was critical during the community's recovery, Gray said.
"This time last year Wes was leading from the front in the aftermath and subsequent recovery from the December 10 tornadoes in West Kentucky," Gray said. "He was interviewed on most every national news outlet and was a consistent voice pointing people to the grace and providential goodness of God amid a terrible tragedy. God used Dr. Fowler to make others aware of the great need existing in Mayfield and beyond and he continues to use him to help First Baptist Mayfield, and the city of Mayfield, Kentucky, recover while leading the church to fulfill its mission. While many in our day make headlines for doing the wrong thing, we are incredibly grateful for men like Wes being recognized for leading well."
Fowler also found some humor in being named on the list.
"Beyond my initial emotions, I found it humorous to be categorized as 'fascinating,'" he said. "That's probably the last word those who know me well would use! I tried to convince my wife that I was fascinating, but I don't think she was too impressed."
He said the help of so many others fascinated him more than anything he did in the past year.
"Although Mayfield has received significant coverage, the truth is that pastors all across our commonwealth have handled tragedy with grace, resilience, and faithfulness," Fowler said. "That's what I find fascinating - the faithfulness of fellow pastors, laboring every day in difficult circumstances to serve the Lord.
"Despite our difficulties, the Lord remains kind, gracious, and faithful. I pray every day for the Lord to use our circumstances for His glory."
SBC This week is a weekly news roundup from around the Southern Baptist Convention. The podcast is co-hosted by Amy Whitfield and Jonathan Howe.
The top 10 list included Evan McPherson, Wes Fowler, Jeff Farmer, Mike Keahbone, Daniel Ritchie, Duce Branch, Don Currence, Victor Chayasirisobhon, Hannah Daniel and Itamar Elizalde.
