Board approves BGCT executive director search committee

DALLAS— The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board unanimously approved a 15-person committee to find the convention’s next executive director.

Voting electronically, board members Dec. 17 approved the 15 people nominated by the chair and vice chair of the board and the elected convention officers.

Members of the search committee members are:

• Ron Lyles, pastor of South Main Baptist Church in Pasadena and BGCT Executive Board member. He will serve as chair of the committee.

• Jerry Dailey, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in San Antonio and BGCT Executive Board member

• Charlotte Young, member of First Baptist Church in Dimmitt and BGCT Executive Board member

• Ernestine Haas, member of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas and BGCT Executive Board member

• Fred Roach, member of The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson and BGCT Executive Board member

• Jay Abernathy, pastor of First Baptist Church in Palestine and BGCT Executive Board member

• John Wheat, pastor of First Baptist Church in Kenedy and BGCT Executive Board member

• David Lowrie, pastor of First Baptist Church in El Paso and immediate past president of the BGCT

• Jesse Rincones, pastor of Alliance Baptist Church in Lubbock

• Charles Price, director of missions for San Antonio Baptist Association and member of First Baptist Church in San Antonio

• Gloria Mills, Texas WMU president and member of First Baptist Church in Henderson

• Frank Sanchez, member of the Cowboy Church of Ellis County in Waxahachie

• Frances Barrera, member of Crossroad Baptist Church in Plainview

• Jason Lee, pastor of Tallowood Chinese Baptist Church in Houston

• Michael Evans, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield

Four people have been put forward as non-voting advisors to the committee:

• Jerry Bradley, president of Children at Heart Ministries in Round Rock

• Paul Armes, president of Wayland Baptist University in Plainview

• Bill Arnold , president of Texas Baptists Mission Foundation

• Joyce Ashcraft , regional ministry director for Texas Baptists’ Collegiate Ministry

The search committee members are grateful to be chosen to serve Texas Baptists in this role and will seek God’s guidance as they seek out the convention’s next executive director, Lyles said.

“I believe that I speak for each member of the committee in declaring that we are humbled and honored to be asked to serve in this capacity. At the same time, we realize that membership in this group is not an honorary position but one that will require an investment of spiritual discernment, meaningful evaluation, harmonious cooperation, relational trust, personal energy, and devoted time,” he said.

“My commitment to Texas Baptists is that I will seek to guide the deliberative process of this search committee in a way that will keep us singularly focused on the goal of finding the one whom God desires to be our next Executive Director. I invite all Texas Baptists to join us in this significant task by praying that we will seek the wisdom of God’s Spirit with integrity and sensitivity.”

In a letter to the executive board members that presented the nominations, BGCT Executive Board Chair Debbie Ferrier said the elected officers worked together to formulate the nominations, noting they sought Texas Baptists “who live their lives every day according to what the Scriptures teach” and “who affirm Hope 1:8 and who are living their lives every day reaching the world for Christ.”

Hope 1:8 is a convention campaign based on Acts 1:8 that seeks to encourage each Texas Baptist and each Texas Baptist church to share the hope of Christ locally, across the state and around the world.

“My request is that Texas Baptists will be mindful of the search committee and pray for them daily,” Ferrier said. “Pray for the staff and employees of the BGCT. Pray for the officers of the convention.  Pray for the executive directors. Pray for our institutions and their leaders. Pray for the churches and pray for those who are still seeking the hope that only comes from Jesus Christ.”

On Dec. 13, the board electronically voted to empower Steve Vernon, associate executive director, “to assume all responsibilities and authority related to the role of executive director in the absence of an executive director.”

Vernon will take on that role following the departure of Executive Director Randel Everett, who will become pastor of First Baptist Church in Midland on Jan. 16. The board overwhelmingly approved the motion with only one member voting against it.