October 3, 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee is expected to vote on a presidential candidate Feb. 19.
A search team has settled on a yet-to-be-identified nominee after interviewing 30 potential candidates, said chairman Neal Hughes, director of missions in Alabama's Montgomery Baptist Association.
Hughes said the search team will unveil the candidate on Feb. 18.
The candidate was chosen after the search team completed lengthy interviews and an in-depth background review.
“In doing due diligence, we gathered references from over 60 people from every walk of SBC life, including a full review of primary, secondary, and tertiary references,” Hughes said. “In accordance with the Executive Committee’s newly adopted hiring guidelines, we completed an extensive list of checks and tests. The search team evaluated the person during numerous meetings, reviewing his vision and having our questions answered.”
The committee prioritized candidates based on professional and personal traits, reviewing them based on:
* Humility and fruit of the spirit
* Statesmanship
* Being a uniter and bridgebuilder
* Strong business acumen
* Good preacher and communicator
* History of leading staff and strategic focus
* Intimate knowledge of SBC dynamics and issues,
* Being a transparent, solution-minded, hope-filled person.
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