ANCHORAGE, Alaska (BP) — Randy Covington has resigned as executive director and treasurer of the Alaska Baptist Resource Network (ABRN) after issuing a public apology on Feb. 25 for a statement he made when the church where he is a member was deemed not to be in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).

ABRN Director of Missions and Church Planting Jae McKee told Baptist Press (BP) that Covington submitted his resignation on Feb. 27. An interim has not been named, McKee said.

Covington exited the post seven months ahead of his planned retirement, announced at the ABRN 2024 annual meeting with an intended effective date in September. At issue are comments Covington made Feb. 19 following the SBC Executive Committee’s (EC) decision regarding Rabbit Creek Church, where Covington is a member.

“I want to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for a statement I made to Baptist Press. I deeply regret the impact it may have had on our community,” Covington wrote in the emailed apology addressed to “brothers and sisters in Christ.” “I sincerely regret the statement, ‘They do not have egalitarian views,’ which was a personal opinion and should not have been made on behalf of the Alaska Baptist Resource Network. I allowed my frustration and emotional bias toward my church, Rabbit Creek Church, to cloud my better judgment.”

Covington was referencing the following statement made to Baptist Press the day after the EC’s decision to deem Rabbit Creek Church not in friendly cooperation with the SBC:

“I’m disappointed by this decision. My knowledge of this church and its pastors is extensive. They do not have egalitarian views. Their positive impact on the community of Anchorage cannot be overlooked,” Covington told Baptist Press in the Feb. 19 comment. “Cooperation and unity are among the priority values of Rabbit Creek Church. Sadly, many within the SBC seek to divide us when we urgently need to come together to reach lost people with the gospel.”

Covington did not respond to Baptist Press’ March 6 request for comment about his announced resignation. Covington and his wife Robin have been members of Rabbit Creek for eight years, he has told Baptist Press.

The church was deemed not in friendly cooperation after its Senior Pastor Mark Goodman, his wife and four Rabbit Creek ministry leaders signed an Open Letter to Baptist Women, published by Baptist Women in Ministry (BWIM) defending women in church leadership and asserting that, “Jesus did not place any limits on women’s roles.”

“Jesus did not make a mistake by calling the women present at the resurrection to preach the gospel, and he has not made a mistake in calling women to pastor, minister, and lead today,” the letter says. “When anyone treats you as if you are not worthy to do God’s work, they are challenging Jesus’ own actions.”

In his apology, Covington said he does not agree with the BWIM statement.

“It is important to clarify that I do not support the Baptist Women in Ministry (BWIM) platform or its vision, values, materials, or events. I am sure I can also speak for the ABRN in this regard,” Covington wrote in his apology. “Please know my love for Alaska Baptist churches and their pastors is genuine and deep.

“As your Executive Director, I am a faithful steward of your trust and the resources under my responsibility,” he said in advance of his resignation. “My desire is to promote cooperation and unity among our churches. I promise to be your greatest advocate and supporter of your local ministry. I will be loyal to Alaska Baptist churches and always have your back, because I deeply value and appreciate the work you do in your local communities.”

Rabbit Creek Church does not plan to appeal the decision at this year’s SBC annual meeting in Dallas, Goodman told Baptist Press on Feb. 27.

Covington’s resignation ends more than 30 years of Southern Baptist work and leadership. He had served since 2016 as ABRN executive director and 22 years previously with the International Mission Board.

“It has been a great honor for me to serve in this leadership role with the Alaska Baptist Resource Network,” Covington said in October 2024 when he announced his planned retirement. “I have come to know some great leaders within the fellowship of state executive directors, and I have learned so much from them. The combined experience of these godly men has pushed me to heights of service that I never thought possible. All the glory belongs to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Diana Chandler is Baptist Press’ senior writer.)