Ken Whitten, pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Fla., told the Florida Baptist Witness of his intention to nominate Lino, saying, "I believe Nathan's vision and leadership are exactly what we need in Southern Baptist life."
Lino, 35, has served as senior pastor of Northeast Houston Baptist Church in Humble, Texas, for 10 years and has formerly served as first vice president of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
Whitten, who served with Lino as a trustee of the International Mission Board, said he has "witnessed a man who has a deep commitment to Southern Baptists, and an even deeper commitment to the Lord and to the Gospel being taken to all the peoples of the world, beginning in his Jerusalem -- Houston."
According to Whitten, Lino will be nominated as IMB trustee chairman at its May meeting. Previously he served as moderator of the South Texas Baptist Association.
"He has proven he can lead," Whitten said.
"Nathan would describe Northeast Houston Baptist as a church of 1,000 people with a heart for the city and the nations," Whitten said. "They are a giving church both in possessions and people."
Lino's congregation has planted seven churches in Houston and overseas, Whitten said. The church has baptized 46 people over the past year.
"The church's desire, through Nathan's leadership, is to give away 2,000 people in the next 10 years through church plants and struggling local churches in the Houston area," Whitten said, noting that Lino's goal of sending 2,000 members to other congregations is equivalent of a megachurch.
Born in South Africa, Lino's family immigrated to the United States when he was 11, settling in Texas where he attended Humble schools. He received his bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University. After completing his master of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in North Carolina, Lino returned to Texas and pastored Union Baptist Church in Normandy before planting the church he currently serves. He is completing a doctorate of ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
Lino serves on the editorial board for www.baptisttheology.org, a department of the Center for Theological Research at Southwestern Seminary. He has traveled to 26 countries for mission trips and preaching engagements.
Lino and his wife, Nicole, have been married 13 years and have four children.
This story first appeared on the websites of the Southern Baptist Texan TexanOnline.net and the Florida Baptist Witness GoFBW.com.
Copyright (c) 2012 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net
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