Executive Board elects new search committee chair, fills vacancy

Dallas – The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) Executive Board has elected Wendell Wright to serve as new chair of the Executive Director Search Committee.

Wright, who serves as Director of Church and Denominational Relations at Dallas Baptist University and is a member of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, has served as a member of the Executive Director Search Committee since its formation in July 2022.

As the new chair of the committee, he replaces David Mahfouz, pastor of First Baptist Church in Warren, who relinquished his role as chair and committee member in early March.

“The Texas Baptists Executive Director Search Committee expresses our heartfelt gratitude for the foundational leadership our previous chair, Dr. David Mahfouz, has provided these past seven months,” Wright said.

“As a committee tasked with an awesome responsibility, our confidence remains in the Lord who upholds, strengthens and guides our steps. We call upon Texas Baptists, and friends far and wide, to remain vigilant in prayer efforts as we seek the Lord’s direction to lead us to God’s choice for this critical role,” Wright said.

Wright has served DBU in various roles, including director of DBU North, director of Graduate Recruitment, director of Ministry Engagement and director of Recruitment and Strategic Partnerships. Prior to his time at DBU, he served as minister of Music and Education at Grace Temple Baptist Church in Dallas.

Additionally, Suzanne Liner, member of First Baptist Church in Lubbock, was elected as vice-chair of the search committee and Heath Kirkwood, pastor of First Baptist Church in Lorena, was elected to fill the vacancy created when Mahfouz stepped down.

“The task of finding our next Texas Baptists executive director is of paramount significance, and having the right leadership during the search is vital moving forward,” said Bobby Contreras, pastor of Alamo Heights Baptist Church in San Antonio and chair of the BGCT Executive Board.

“I am thrilled Mr. Wendell Wright will be orchestrating the strong search committee team we have assembled. Mr. Wendell Wright is humble, skilled, wise and sensitive to God’s leading. I have full confidence in him and the search team as we all excitedly anticipate the individual God has chosen to lead Texas Baptists.”

The Executive Director Search Committee was formed after David Hardage announced his retirement following more than 10 years of service. The committee is comprised of seven Executive Board members and eight at-large members. An advisory group also provides advice to the committee at its request, but does not vote to nominate.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for later this week. Committee updates may be found online at txb.org/edsc.