Carlisle declines second term; Johnson nominee for president

Jerry Carlisle has declined to seek a second term as president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and the president of Texas Baptists' African-American Fellowship plans to nominate the convention's current first vice president for the post.

Carlisle, pastor of First Baptist Church in Plano, is eligible for a second one-year term as BGCT president. However, seven of the last eight state convention presidents have chosen to accept only one term.

"Several folks have asked if I am open to being nominated again, and I don't feel led to do so.  My involvement with Mission to Unreached Peoples, the Baptist World Alliance, Dallas Baptist University and Baylor Regional Medical Center of Plano—not to mention FBC Plano—will easily fill the void in my calendar and attention next year," Carlisle said.

"I completed 10 years as pastor of FBC Plano on July 31, and our church provides a sabbatical at that point, which would be impossible if the convention elected me for another term."

Michael Evans, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield, will nominate Jeff Johnson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Commerce, as BGCT president at the annual meeting in Corpus Christi, Oct. 29-31.

"Jeff Johnson will serve well, and I will give him my enthusiastic support," Carlisle noted.

Through his service as BGCT first vice president, Johnson has demonstrated ability to serve as an effective "ambassador for the convention," Evans said.

"He is a missionary-hearted and missionary-minded person who has the proven capability to move in and out of different circles and spheres of influence with ease, thanks to his congenial spirit and gracious attitude," he said.

Johnson has a track record as a person who possesses the courage "to stand up for what is right," while also being able to bring diverse people together, he noted.

The next BGCT president will lead the first state convention annual meeting held in conjunction with meetings of the African-American Fellowship, the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas and other ethnic affinity groups.

Johnson "doesn't have to be brought up to speed" in terms of knowing how to work with leaders of various ethnic fellowships, Evans noted.

"Jeff is the man for this time," he said. "He is a bridge-builder."

Anticipation of the summer celebration for all Texas Baptists in 2013 played a key role in Johnson's decision to allow his nomination for convention president, he acknowledged.

"I've been excited to be a part of planning for next summer. It has the potential to be a tremendous expression of the mosaic of Texas Baptists together. It's been a privilege to be part of that process, and I would like to complete that task," he said.

After a term as first vice president, Johnson said, he gained deep appreciation for the way—under Executive Director David Hardage's leadership—BGCT Executive Board staff work together across program assignment lines to help the convention fulfill its purpose in an integrated, holistic way.

"It helped me see the whole picture. It confirmed for me the commitment Texas Baptists have for evangelism, missions, advocacy, education and community transformation—and how all these things work together," he said.

First Baptist Church in Commerce supports the BGCT financially by giving 8 percent of its undesignated receipts through the Cooperative Program and by its gifts to the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions. Since Johnson arrived at the church in March, First Baptist also has begun an emphasis on giving to the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering.

Previously, Johnson served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Del Rio. During his time in Del Rio, the church's average weekly worship attendance grew from 80 to about 300. The church also launched two mission congregations and an extensive program to fight hunger in Del Rio and surrounding colonias by providing meals for about 900 people a month.

He also has served as a pastor of churches in Bonham, Sherman and Ivanhoe.

He continues to direct the mission efforts of the Center for Borderland Research, Education and Outreach, a nonprofit organization he founded, and to lead its current focus on the Bridges Out of Poverty program.

Johnson has been in ministry more than 30 years, having served as a pastor, Baptist Student Ministries director and youth minister, as well as on staff at Baptist University of the Américas. He served bivocationally about 10 years, working as a financial analyst.

His denominational involvement has included service on the BGCT Executive Board, the BGCT Commit-tee on Committees, the Texas Baptist Border Violence Committee, the BGCT Historical Collection Council and the board of trustees for Baptist Child & Family Services.

A native of Mississippi, Johnson earned an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University. He earned a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctor of ministry degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He and his wife, Molly, have three adult daughters—Lori, a schoolteacher in Bryan; Sara, a singer/songwriter who currently is on a tour helping raise awareness about human trafficking; and Julie, a college junior.