Incumbent BGCT president to be nominated for reelection

Nederland pastor Jason Burden, incumbent president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will be nominated for reelection at Texas Baptists’ annual meeting in Galveston, Nov. 14-16.

Ray Meador, longtime pastor of First Baptist Church in Galveston, announced he will nominate Burden, whom he described as “a man of principle and a man of purpose.”

“He is not only a good pastor and a good leader, but also just a good man—one who has the capability of bringing people together,” said Meador, who is a member at First Baptist Church in Nederland, where Burden is pastor.

‘A man who carries leadership well’

Meador noted he has observed Burden lead through challenging times—several natural disasters in the Nederland area, the COVID-19 pandemic and the birth of twin grandsons who survived a problem pregnancy and were born 16 weeks premature.

“He is a man who carries leadership well,” Meador said, describing his pastor as “unflappable.”

Burden, who marks his 10th anniversary as pastor of First Baptist Church in Nederland this year, said he will allow his nomination for another term as Texas Baptists’ president in large part because he hasn’t had a “normal” year of service.

Between restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and an ice storm in February that forced the cancellation of a BGCT Executive Board meeting, Burden’s time as president has been anything but typical.

Wants to be ‘an ambassador for Texas Baptists’

So, he said, he would welcome another opportunity to “be an ambassador for Texas Baptists,” helping churches across the state feel connected to each other and recognize what can be accomplished when they work together.

“As Texas Baptists, I want to see us direct our energies toward accomplishing some profound things,” he said.

In particular, Burden noted, Texas Baptists working together support institutions of higher education that help produce “the leaders we need tomorrow.”

“Our churches and their pastors should be proud when they send students to our Texas Baptist universities,” he said.

Burden, who grew up in Hico and completed his undergraduate studies at Tarleton State University, earned both his Master of Divinity degree and his Doctor of Ministry degree from a Texas Baptist school—Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary.

Prior to his election as BGCT president last year, Burden served two terms as first vice president of the convention.

He also has been moderator of Golden Triangle Baptist Network and served in the same role in Falls Baptist Association when he was pastor at First Baptist Church in Chilton. Previously, he was pastor of Dorcas Wills Memorial Baptist Church in Trinity.

He and his wife Kristi have three children—Hayden, Hallie and Rylie.