THOMASVILLE, N.C. — The search for the next CEO of the Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) of North Carolina is nearing its completion and an announcement about the organization’s new leader is expected “soon,” according to the chairman of the search team.
In an email sent to supporters and friends of the ministry on Wednesday, Sept. 25, David Powell, chairman of BCH’s Transition and Search Committee, said just “a few more steps” remain in the search process.
“There are a few more steps of due diligence in the search process that must be completed, but the Transition and Search Committee can say with confidence and joy that we anticipate announcing soon who God is calling to be the ninth CEO of BCH (since 1885),” Powell wrote in the email. “This is a pivotal time in the history of BCH, stemming from months and months of effort; and it is now more so than ever that your prayers for the process, the committee, and the candidate are needed.”
Powell’s email did not give a date or timeline about when an announcement regarding BCH’s next CEO might take place. Powell is a member of BCH’s board of trustees and serves as pastor of Lovedale Baptist Church in Sylva, N.C.
In July, Powell said that the search team had begun conducting interviews with multiple prospective candidates, and the team would be working to narrow the field of candidates. No information has been released to date about the number of candidates interviewed or the number of applicants for the position.
The BCH search team has been working with Vanderbloemen Search Group to identify prospective candidates. Vanderbloemen is a Texas-based firm that specializes in assisting churches, ministries, nonprofits and other faith-based organizations in conducting searches for executive leaders.
After the BCH search team was named last November, Powell announced in December that it would be utilizing the services of Vanderbloemen. Vanderbloemen worked with BCH leaders to develop a job description and a candidate profile before opening an online portal to receive applications in March.
(EDITOR’S NOTE — The complete text of the Sept. 25 email update on the BCH CEO search process is included below.)
Dear Baptist Children’s Homes friends,
Thank you for your support and prayers throughout the search process for the next CEO of Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina (BCH). I am grateful to the members of the Transition and Search Committee who have remained steadfast in their commitment to follow the Lord’s lead in the search for BCH’s next CEO. Correspondingly, the Transition and Search Committee has seen God use the search process, right down to its timing, to prepare both BCH and the person God is calling to shepherd us forward in His mission.
There are a few more steps of due diligence in the search process that must be completed, but the Transition and Search Committee can say with confidence and joy that we anticipate announcing soon who God is calling to be the ninth CEO of BCH (since 1885). This is a pivotal time in the history of BCH, stemming from months and months of effort; and it is now more so than ever that your prayers for the process, the committee, and the candidate are needed.
On behalf of the committee, I thank you for your faithful support of the BCH ministry so that hope may be shared with every child, adult and family who turns to us throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and beyond. May we overflow with gratitude for what God has done and for what He is going to do!
On mission with you,
Rev. David Powell
Chair, Transition and Search Committee
Trustee Baptist Children’s Homes of NC
