Dr. Herschel H. Hobbs, longtime pastor of the First Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was a leader in Southern Baptist denominational life from the 1940s to the 1970s. Hobbs was raised in Central Alabama by a widowed mother. Through the effort and dedication of his mother and other members of his family, he attended Samford University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he received the Doctor of Theology degree. Dr. Hobbs served as pastor of several major Southern Baptist churches and for many years as the preacher on the “Baptist Hour”. Hobbs is perhaps best remembered for his leadership role as president of the Southern Baptist Convention (1961-1963) during the time when the Convention adopted the Baptist Faith and Message in 1963. Hobbs during this time played a very important role in molding the Convention into a unit in time of crises.
This oral history interview was conducted by A. Ronald Tonks January 14-16 and March 11-14, 1974, at First Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In the interview, Hobbs discusses his early life in Alabama, his college and seminary days, and his early pastorates. He also talks about his denominational activities, including his service on the Executive Committee, Foreign Mission Board, and his tenure as President of the Southern Baptist Convention. Significant events mentioned in the interview include the development of the Baptist Faith and Message Statement, the Elliott Controversy, the Broadman Commentary controversy, and race relations. He also provides his comments on his seminary professors and contemporary Southern Baptist leaders.
