Ronny Marriott, pastor of First Baptist Church in Temple, will be nominated for president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas during the convention’s annual meeting next month in Waco.
Marriott’s nomination marks the first contested BGCT presidential election since 2008. Kathy Hillman—current BGCT first vice president and former president of Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas—previously announced her willingness to be nominated for the post.
Ronny Marriott, pastor of First Baptist Church in Temple.Drayton McLane, chairman of the McLane Group and Baptist philanthropist, will nominate Marriott. McLane and his family were members of First Baptist Church in Temple 42 years before moving to First Baptist Church in Belton two and a half years ago.
“Since Ronny came in about a year ago, he has earned an excellent reputation,” McLane said.
Fire destroyed First Baptist’s historic downtown building Jan. 19, 2010. For four years, the scattered congregation met in multiple locations—a repurposed youth building downtown, an elementary school, a library, the city’s Chamber of Commerce building and various downtown businesses. On the fourth anniversary of the fire, several months after Marriott arrived as pastor, the church met the first time under the same roof at its new facility.
McLane noted Marriott’s leadership ability and desire to grow as a leader impressed him.
“He is a take-charge kind of guy. He has a strong presence and strong delivery, and he wants to provide strong Christian leadership,” he said.
‘High-energy’
McLane characterized Marriott as “a high-energy person” with a desire to help Texas Baptists adapt to 21st century challenges.
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“I love the local church. I believe in the local church. I want to see us do all we can to support and connect with local churches,” Marriott said.
As the state continues to experience population growth, Texas Baptist churches need to be mobilized for missions and evangelism, he said, pointing to ethnic diversity in the BGCT as one of its great strengths.
Marriott affirmed the leadership of BGCT Executive Director David Hardage and noted the challenges ahead in the next few months, prompted by the sale of the Baptist Building in Dallas to Baylor University for its nursing school.
That not only involves moving BGCT Executive Board staff offices to a new location in the Dallas area, but also offers the opportunity to strengthen the state convention’s staff presence outside North Texas, Marriott observed.
“I don’t have an agenda. I just want to come alongside David as he presents his vision and to be of support to him in that,” he said.
Affirms Texas Baptist institutions
Marriott also affirmed Texas Baptist institutions—particularly the crucial role universities and theological seminaries play in training ministers.
At Temple, Marriott said, he is “in a good place with a good staff,” and that made it an opportune time to consider greater involvement in Texas Baptist life at the state level.
“Some pastor friends called to ask if I would consider running, and I said I would,” he said. “Also, I think it’s good to have choices and have options.”
Prior to arriving in Temple, Marriott served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi from 2010 to 2013. His previous pastorates were at Shady Oaks Baptist in Hurst—where he had served earlier as youth minister—and Sunset Canyon Baptist in Dripping Springs. His first church staff position was as youth pastor at Northlake Baptist in Dallas.
He has led international and domestic mission trips and encouraged missions involvement in the churches he served.
Denominational service
He is a member of Texas Baptists’ Theological Education Council. Previous denominational service included terms on the BGCT Executive Board and the Christian Life Commission, as well as several positions with Tarrant Baptist Association. He has written youth and adult curriculum for BaptistWay Press.
Marriott is a graduate of Howard Payne University, where he now serves on the board of trustees. He earned his master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He and his wife, Robin, have three children—Molly, 23; Morgan, 21; and Ryan, 18.
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