The Rev. Emerson Falls was elected as president of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.

Falls, who is Sac and Fox and Choctaw, is the first Indian leader of the group, which represents more than 600 Southern Baptist churches across the state. He was elected at a meeting on Tuesday.

"I think it signals that we are more concerned about being the people of God than other issues like race," Falls told The Oklahoman.

Falls said the Baptist church has a long association with Oklahoma tribes.

Get the Story:
Southern Baptist leader in Broken Arrow plans an awakening (The Oklahoman 11/12)
State Baptists tap first American Indian leader (The Tulsa World 11/12)