Jim Whitmire

Worship Leader for over 60 years

Ordained Minister for 48 years

Married to Linda Dooley for 55 years

6 children, 9 grandchildren;

Retired several times

Also teaching full-time at Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary

First produced The Singing Christmas Tree in 1976, with a record attendance as high 56,000.

Introduced an Easter program, Living Pictures, in 1981 which evolved into The Memphis Passion Play

In 1984, began an annual patriotic program, Celebrate America

Under his direction Bellevue Baptist Church choirs sang at seven annual meetings of the Southern Baptist Convention

In 1997 and 2006, served as Music Director for the Southern Baptist Convention