Executive Director Search Committee selects candidate to recommend to BGCT Executive Board

DALLAS–The Texas Baptists Executive Director Search Committee has chosen a candidate to present for consideration to the BGCT Executive Board at its regularly scheduled meeting Sept. 18-19 in Dallas, TX.

In an update released by the Committee and posted to the Executive Director Search Committee webpage, the Committee said it is “pleased to announce that a recommendation and candidate for the position of Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas will be presented at the next Executive Board meeting.”

Per the update, final interviews with four candidates took place at the end of July and the beginning of August.

“Each candidate proved an effective and significant leader with impeccable character and a heart of service to the Lord and to the mission of Texas Baptists,” the Committee said.

The Committee thanked members of the Texas Baptists family for their prayer support and called for continued prayers as the process moves forward.

“We deeply appreciate the monumental prayers offered over the past year for this Committee and its work,” the Committee said. “Please continue in your faithfulness to pray for the candidate who will be presented, for the Executive Board, and for the exciting days ahead.”

Prior to the announcement, the Committee last provided an update during its report to messengers and visitors at the Family Gathering July 16-18 in McAllen, TX. In that report, the Committee shared that the candidate pool had been “considerably narrowed” and that the Committee was “in an extensive, comprehensive process with a small handful of candidates.”

In acknowledging the caliber of candidates considered, the Committee noted that “all nominees considered from the beginning of our search have shown themselves to be equally gifted and well-qualified Servant Leaders.”

The Executive Director Search Committee is chaired by Wendell Wright, member of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, and co-chaired by Suzanne Liner, member of First Baptist Church in Lubbock. David Mahfouz, pastor of First Baptist Church in Warren, preceded Wright as Search Committee chair.

The Committee was formed in July of 2022 following executive director David Hardage’s retirement announcement earlier that month. Hardage held Texas Baptists’ top post for more than 10 years.