Former Georgia Baptist evangelism leader recovering from explosion in Alaska

Alaska Baptist Convention Evangelism director Jimmy Stewart, pictured with his wife Kathryn, suffered extensive burns over his body after a propane tank blew up at the family cabin. FACEBOOK/Special

Jimmy Stewart, evangelism director for the Alaska Baptist Convention, is healing after a gas explosion covered 80 percent of his body with 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Stewart served from 2001-02 in the Georgia Baptist Mission Board Evangelism department before going to Alaska.

According to a family friend on Facebook, the July 24 propane tank explosion knocked out a wall at Stewart's cabin in Talkeetna. At the time, Stewart had been investigating a gas leak. In the following hours he was life flighted to Seattle. There, an initial diagnosis gave him a 5o percent chance to survive.

Recovery ahead

Yesterday, Stewart underwent surgery successfully, though doctors said he could be in the hospital for several months with many procedures in the future. Continued updates are available at the Alaska Baptist Convention website. Also, a donation button can be viewed at the ABC site. Cards of encouragement and letters may be sent to Harborview Medical Center; 325 9th Avenue; Seattle, WA 98104; Attention: Patient Jimmy Stewart.

Eddy Oliver was one of several Georgia Baptist Mission Board missionaries to extend prayers online and through phone calls and texts. Oliver, who serves in Worship and Music Ministries, worked with Stewart in Georgia. But, their friendship goes back to their days as students at Golden Gate Seminary. In touch with Stewart's family, Oliver passed along three specific prayer requests:

• For skin to grow and future grafts to be successful.
• Stewart's heart to stay strong, as it has been under incredible stress since the accident.
• Infections to stay away.

Stewart and his wife, Kathryn, have three children.