After a global search, Baptist World Alliance Women appointed Merritt Johnston—a graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor—as executive director.
She will begin her service in this part-time executive level role Nov. 1 while continuing to provide oversight for communications and media for the Baptist World Alliance.
Johnston has served in ministry leadership roles more than 20 years, including the formation of a nonprofit while in college, providing care as a hospital chaplain, guiding communications for a seminary, serving with an international broadcast ministry, and shepherding women as the women’s minister at a multi-site church.
“Words cannot express how honored and excited I am to step into the storied history of BWA Women—a community sharing the gospel, responding in times of need, and standing for human rights in more than 140 countries and territories,” Johnston said.
“The past bears witness to the power of women serving the Lord together, and I look forward to what God has in store as we further our mission to network women to impact the world for Christ.”
The appointment follows a global search led by an international committee that included Karen Wilson, BWA Women president; Elijah Brown, BWA general secretary; Karlene Edwards-Warrick, president of the Caribbean Baptist Women’s Union; and Lynn Green, general secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.
“There are times in leadership when you sense God providing in ways that far exceed your hopes and dreams. The appointment of Merritt Johnston as the new executive director for Baptist World Alliance Women is one of those times,” Wilson said.
“This role brings a global responsibility, and Merritt is extremely passionate about standing with women in every culture to see them thrive. I am personally excited about the opportunity of working alongside Merritt as she serves women all over the world and as God uses her to bring vision and leadership in this space.”
Brown praised Johnston as a servant leader who has a deep personal faith.
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“With more than 20 years of experience in leading, teaching, coaching and collaborating with women and ministry leaders in countries around the world, Merritt lives a deep walk with Jesus Christ with a passionate calling and a spirit of high capacity servant leadership,” said Brown.
“She will build upon the historic BWA Women’s legacy in Holy Spirit listening, deepening community and strategically building partnerships that share the gospel and strengthen women around the world.”
Johnston holds a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in biblical studies, both from Grace School of Theology; and a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication/journalism, performance studies and psychology from UMHB in Belton.
She and her husband Jeremy have three children.
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