Lubbock pastor Atchley nominee for BGCT 2nd VP

Jason Atchley is pastor of Bacon Heights Baptist Church in Lubbock. He is pictured with his wife Heather and daughters Hallee and Chloe.

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LUBBOCK—Daniel “Tiny” Dominguez, pastor of Community Heights Church in Lubbock, plans to nominate a fellow Lubbock pastor, Jason Atchley from Bacon Heights Baptist Church, for second vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

‘A heart to see the kingdom of God advance’

“Jason loves our Texas Baptist churches and institutions, and he has a heart to see the kingdom of God advance,” Dominguez said.

Atchley can relate to leaders of churches across Texas Baptist life because he has served in a variety of ministry roles in congregations and communities of various sizes, he added.

Dominguez noted his congregation and Bacon Heights have served together on mission endeavors and worshipped together in Christmas Eve services in a “true partnership” of equals.

“One of the things I love about him is the fact that he can relate across generations,” Dominguez said. “He has a great respect for silver-haired leaders and a heart for young leaders. He cares about Millennials and wants to see them take ownership of opportunities to advance the gospel.”

Encourage young pastors

Atchley, 42, said he agreed to allow his nomination in part because he wants to affirm young leaders in Texas Baptist churches and challenge them to increase their involvement in the BGCT.

Jason Atchley

“I hope to encourage the next generation of young pastors to step out and step up into leadership roles in Texas Baptist life—not out of any desire to advance their careers but to expand the kingdom,” he said.

Atchley expressed appreciation for the leadership current BGCT officers have provided and for the work of BGCT Executive Director David Hardage.

“I hope we can help our churches maintain a spirit of unity, and for those that are not giving to the Cooperative Program, that we can encourage them to become more involved in our convention’s work overall,” he said.


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‘Learn to listen’

Atchley noted he benefited from the example of good mentors in ministry who taught him the discipline of listening.

“If we want to deepen our fellowship as Texas Baptists, we really need to learn to listen to each other,” he said.

Given the foster care crisis in Texas and the changing dynamics of families, Atchley also expressed his desire to see the BGCT provide resources to help churches meet families’ needs—particularly in equipping parents to become “biblical mentors for their children.”

Atchley, a native Texan who grew up in Midland, has been pastor at Bacon Heights Baptist Church in Lubbock three years, and he is a part-time adjunct faculty member at Howard Payne University.

Previously, he served First Baptist Church in Decatur two years as pastor of adult and family ministries. He served 18 years as pastor to students at Jonesboro Baptist Church, between Gatesville and Hamilton; First Baptist Church in Hamlin; First Baptist Church in Canyon; and First Baptist Church in Round Rock.

Atchley earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University, and he holds both a Master of Divinity degree and Doctor of Ministry degree from Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon Seminary.

He serves on the BGCT Committee on Nominations for Boards of Affiliated Ministries.

He and his wife Heather have been married 24 years and have two daughters, Hallee and Chloe.


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