October 2, 2026
MACON, Ga. — For Andy Johnson, the founder and CEO of Baptist Search Partners, the launch of the firm isn’t just a new chapter — it’s the culmination of two decades of pastoral ministry and a growing burden to help churches find the right leaders.
Based in Georgia and serving churches nationwide, Baptist Search Partners works exclusively with Southern Baptist congregations to identify and vet qualified ministry candidates.
"I’ve been in pastoral ministry for about 20 years, but over the past few years, I sensed the Lord leading me to explore other ministry possibilities that allow me to use my gifts by still serving churches and building the kingdom," Johnson explained. "After much prayer, practicing the abundance of counselors principle from Proverbs 24:6, and of course being aligned with my wife, we decided to start this new venture."
Johnson also currently serves as executive pastor at Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon. He brings both pastoral insight and administrative strength to his work, drawing on extensive experience in church staffing and leadership.
His approach centers on what he calls the “7 Cs”: Conversion, Calling, Character, Competence, Culture, Chemistry, and Confirmation of the Holy Spirit. "As a search partner, I can really only verify the first four with candidates and a little bit of the fifth – Culture," he noted. "The church has to bear the responsibility of truly evaluating a candidate’s Cultural fit, Chemistry, and seek Confirmation from the Lord. When those pieces are in place, it’s a recipe for long lasting ministry partnerships."
In 2024, Johnson pilot-tested the concept with more than 80 SBC pastors and leaders. The feedback confirmed that churches were eager for a search partner grounded in the unique culture and cooperative structure of the SBC.
"It became abundantly clear that SBC churches needed a search partner that understands the particulars of our denomination — the varying governance structures, the cooperative spirit, the ins and outs of SBC entities, the history, and the various affinity rivers that SBC churches swim in," he said.
Each search begins with conversations to understand the church’s distinct culture and needs. Johnson supplements those discussions with a detailed questionnaire.
"Unique questions that get to those details include: 'What do outsiders or guests usually say about your church?', 'Tell me about a hero or two at your church and why they are revered.', and 'Do your staff prefer to meet in a conference room or at a coffee shop?'" Johnson shared.
For Johnson, spiritual discernment is integral to the process. "Praying with churches and praying as we do our work is critical. The Lord hears the voice of his people and he graciously responds to us as we pray," he said. "At the same time, a church ought to be praying for the Lord’s provision... and praying for Baptist Search Partners as we work with them!"
Baptist Search Partners offers two levels of service. The full search model provides churches with a comprehensive, guided process. The more affordable “Search Coaching” package is designed for smaller churches or those with existing committees.
"The Search Coaching service is designed to help pastors who have little to no hiring experience, a personnel or staff search committee who wants to do most of the work but needs some resources and guidance, or a smaller church who may not have the funds for a full executive search," Johnson explained.
Search Coaching clients also receive job listings, advertising, and access to an online candidate portal. "Search Coaching gets a church resourced and equipped and includes advertising for the role for three months," he added.
As churches navigate the hiring process, Johnson sees their staffing needs as part of a wider concern — a growing gap between open roles and available leaders.
"There is a bit of a leadership vacuum in the SBC right now," he noted. "The number of roles available is greater than the number of qualified candidates for those roles."
That challenge, he believes, presents an opportunity to raise up new leaders.
"I hope that Baptist Search Partners can have an influence on churches to excel in this initiative," he said. "We might also have to push churches to more seriously consider candidates who don’t have a long track record but exhibit great potential."
Johnson said the firm’s goal is straightforward — to help churches make one of their most important decisions with wisdom, clarity, and confidence.
Over the years, Johnson has hired more than 130 staff and led over 30 national searches for ministry roles. "Though Baptist Search Partners is a new venture, it is backed by my decades of search and hiring experience," he concluded.
"I hope that we can become the search firm that SBC churches across the nation come to trust and love."
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Interested churches and applicants can learn more at www.baptistsearchpartners.com.
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