in every aspect imaginable, fred luter is qualified to be president of the southern baptist convention. >> reporter: if he indeed becomes president, luter says in addition to encouraging the establishment of new churches, one of his goals will be to support local congregations that are struggling to survive. >> we really have to work with a lot of the churches who are already existing but are hurting. they haven't baptized in a while. they're not reaching people, and we need to go into these churches and find out what can we do as a convention to help you get back on your feet. >> reporter: as president, luter would also help give voice to the sbc's often-conservative stance on public policy issues, such as opposition to abortion and gay marriage. he says that's something he doesn't shy away from. >> we've always been out there on the front lines and we don't mind that. we don't mind because we believe in standing up for what we believe in and so there's some things out there that's going to have to be addressed. my mindset and my lifestyle is driven by what the word of god says. if go