FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) — Matt Kendrick, pastor of Redemption City Church, announced Thursday (May 30) that he intends to nominate fellow Texas pastor Eddie Lopez for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) at the 2024 SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis.
“I’m thrilled that Eddie Lopez agreed to be nominated for second vice president this year, and I’m honored that he would allow me to nominate him,” Kendrick told Baptist Press in a statement. “He is a faithful man, disciple-maker and exemplary church planter. His church has planted four churches, sends mission teams to Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico and supports an IMB missionary in Spain. We need more men like him leading our convention toward multiplying disciples, both here and around the world.”
Lopez has pastored First Baptist Church Forney (Texas) en Español for more than 20 years. Its partner church, FBC Forney, is pastored by Nathan Lino, a former first vice president of the SBC. Lino came to the church in 2022.
“After getting to know Eddie over the last two years, I am unsurprised that a group of his peers are nominating him as an officer of the SBC,” Lino said. “Eddie has pastored his congregation since 2003 and has demonstrated extraordinary passion and leadership in evangelism and missions. He is one of the most humble servant-leaders I know. His compassion for people in need is an example to all who know him. Eddie would make a great officer for the SBC.”
Lopez, a native of Sabinas, Coahuila, Mexico, has dedicated his life to serving others, building communities and spreading the gospel while maintaining an unwavering commitment to his family and his calling.
He has been involved on the state convention level, having served as vice president for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) over the past two years. He served on the 2024 SBC Committee on Resolutions and works to nurture future leaders through his work with the SBTC’s Send Network for church planters.
FBC Forney en Español reported giving $3,500 (3.65%) to the Cooperative Program in 2023 from undesignated receipts of $96,000. Additionally, the church reported 13 baptisms, 96 members and an average worship attendance of 82 in 2023.
Lopez is also a restaurateur and businessman and has been married for nearly 30 years to his wife Zoila. They have two children, Arianna and Selah.
