ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Steve Browning, lead pastor of First Baptist Church Alpharetta, will be nominated to serve as president of the Georgia Baptist Convention at the annual meeting scheduled for Nov. 11-12 in Statesboro.
Jim Perdue, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins, said he intends to nominate Browning, who has served First Baptist Church Alpharetta since 2019.
“Steve is one of the most genuine people you could ever meet. He and his wife, Beth, are as real as they come. His heart for his family, the church, and the Kingdom is abundantly clear. This kind of leadership is exactly what the church needs here in our state and beyond," Perdue shared.
"Steve has done a fabulous job leading First Baptist Church Alpharetta. He leads with wisdom, faithfulness, integrity, and vision. I’m excited to nominate him because I know he’ll bring those same qualities as he leads our state. He’s a pastor with a kingdom-minded and globally focused vision." Perdue said. "It’s a strategic time to be a Georgia Baptist or Southern Baptist leader. Josh Saefkow has done a great job, and Thomas Hammond has brought a strong vision for our state. I believe Steve will continue to help point us in the right direction.”
Browning said that when he was approached, he was reminded of his mentor’s guidance. “Larry Wynn taught me years ago: God's timing is just as important as God’s will.” Humbled by the consideration, Browning said that after much prayer and discussion with his wife and family, the Lord confirmed it was the right time to accept the nomination.
“It is an exciting time to be a Georgia Baptist. Four or five years ago, the conversation was different. We were talking about survival. Today we are talking about taking the state of Georgia for Jesus,” Browning said. “We are at a critical juncture, and we are only limited by time. We can build off this health to a position of strength. It is time for all of us to jump to the next step to see more people come to Christ.”
Perdue described Browning as a unifying figure. “I have never met anyone who doesn’t love Steve, and Steve loves everyone,” he said.
Browning holds a bachelor’s degree in Christian leadership from Palm Beach Atlantic University, a Master of Divinity in Christian ministries from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in evangelistic church growth from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
His ministry experience includes serving at First Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia, from 2008-2011. He later served at Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula from 2011-2013. Prior to being called to Alpharetta, Browning served at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, from 2014-2019.
Browning’s church giving to the Cooperative Program has averaged 3.94% of undesignated receipts over the last three years. Last year, that amounted to $175,500. In addition, they have baptized 140 between 2021-2023.
“The heartbeat of our church is to support the Cooperative Program and to be very much engaged in international missions, church planting, and other SBC causes,” shared Browning.
The church has grown by over 40% since Browning’s arrival five years ago. They will soon launch a second location in Hickory Flat. This will be followed by the October opening of a new church plant in Summer Hill. First Baptist Alpharetta also supports seven other SBC church plants across North America.
Browning began serving on the GBC Executive Committee in 2020. He has served on the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s Financial Services Committee since 2021 where he currently is chairman. In 2022-2023, he served on the Georgia Baptist Convention Bylaws Task Force.
“I am excited to support the efforts, fly the flag, and lead in humble ways,” Browning said.