Lonnie Latham

Dr. Lonnie Latham serves as the senior pastor of South Tulsa Baptist Church, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a post he has held since 2002. Latham also serves on the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, one of four such members from Oklahoma.

History in the Tulsa Baptist Association

Lonnie Latham was elected director of missions for the Tulsa Baptist Association during their November 13-14, 2000 meeting. The meeting also saw the controversial adoption of the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, a pivotal document in the Southern Baptist Convention's "Conservative Resurgance." According to one report, Latham has spoken out against expansion of tribal gaming in Oklahoma, as well as against homosexuality. In the latter vein, he supported the SBC's adoption of a policy encouraging Baptists to befriend gays and lesbians and "convert" them to a heterosexual lifestyle.

The September 16, 2001 edition of Tulsa World describes Latham as executive director of the Tulsa Metro Baptist Association. Clergy see spiritual rebirth as downcast Americans ask why (PDF).

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2006 Arrest

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On Tuesday, January 3, 2006, Latham was arrested and booked into the Oklahoma County Jail by members of the Oklahoma County Police department. The misdemeanor charge was that of "offering to engage in an act of lewdness." Reports said that he had propositioned a plainclothes police officer for oral sex in an area of the community which had been the subject of public complaints of cruising related to male prostitution. Upon posting bail, Latham contested the charge to local television reporters, saying "I was set up. I was in the area pastoring to police."

Latham was arrested and his 2005 Mercedes automobile was impounded. The arrest took place in the parking lot of The Habana Inn.

South Tulsa Baptist Church issued the following statement: File:Http://stbc.net/statement.jpg

"We are deeply grieved to hear the news about our pastor, Lonnie Latham. Our first concerns are with Lonnie, his family, and our church family. We will be focused on doing what we can to minister to everyone in this difficult time. Our church has a great history and a great future of ministry in this community. We would appreciate your prayers."

External Links

• Oklahomans affirm BFM, CP; adopt $21.7 million budget
• Tulsa Pastor Arrested In OKC On Lewdness Charge
• South Tulsa Baptist Church
• Okla. Baptists affirm CP, challenge 'New Tolerance'
• The homosexual revolution has been aided and abetted by many who are bisexual
• Thou shalt not solicit undercover cops
• Prominent Baptist minister arrested in gay prostitution sting
• Police: Pastor propositioned officer
• Pastor who preached against gays arrested on lewdness charge
• Oopsie! Local Baptist preacher busted for asking man for sex
• Pastor with anti-gay stance accused of soliciting male prostitute
• Southern Baptist leader arrested for soliticing policeman
• Anti-Gay Pastor Busted For Trying To Pick Up Male Prostitute Decoy
• Cowpokes After Hours: Art Miller documents a homoeroticism burning beneath the highway’s neon glare