Here's something you don't see every day: Catholic priest Frank Ruff was recently given a gift at the 2017 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting! This was to recognize that Rev. Ruff started attending SBC annual meetings as a Catholic "observer" 50 years ago in 1967! His organization (Glenmary) has been representing the US Catholic Bishops ever since.
Frank Ruff is well known and well loved by many in the SBC for his deep faith and his longstanding commitment to building relationships across denominational lines.
The award was given at the Executive Committee (EC) meeting. EC membership includes 80 representatives of SBC agencies and regions, including some of its senior leadership. Other guests and interested parties also attend, so that there were a few hundred in attendance. Frank Page, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Committee, spoke for nearly five minutes on Rev. Ruff.
Frank Ruff and Glenmary come to the SBC as ambassadors of goodwill with a message: To give appreciation for the witness of the SBC. While we often hear about the differences and tension between denominations, there is much that we can thank each other for. We come in prayerful solidarity as our fellow Christians have this important annual meeting for their denomination.
Source: John 17:21 - Evangelicals and Catholics - Posted on their FB page, 27 June 2017