THOMASVILLE, N.C. – The search team tasked with finding the next leader of the Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) of North Carolina is now receiving applications from prospective candidates interested in serving as the organization’s chief executive officer.

Applications may be submitted online at bchfamily.org/ceo, which also includes a job description, candidate profile and information about BCH’s ministry.

The online portal is being hosted by Vanderbloemen Search Group, a Texas-based firm that is assisting BCH’s Transition and Search Team. Vanderbloemen’s services include working with churches, ministries, nonprofits and other faith-based organizations in conducting searches for executive leaders.

The announcement about the opening of the online application portal was one of several updates that BCH search team chairman David Powell shared in an email sent to friends and supporters of the ministry on Tuesday, March 12. Contents of the email were also posted on BCH’s website and shared on social media.

Although the email provided no specific timeline related to the overall search process, Powell encouraged “serious candidates” to apply “within the next three weeks.” Three weeks from the announcment’s release would be Tuesday, April 2.

“Taking steps prayerfully and thoughtfully is integral to this undertaking,” Powell wrote. “We will continue to move forward in a manner that is respectful of the process and within a timetable that accords God the latitude to move and lead. It is why the committee, and everyone involved in this effort, continues to covet your prayers.”

Powell serves as pastor of Lovedale Baptist Church in Sylva, N.C.

Before opening the application process, Powell wrote that the search team had worked with Vanderbloemen in recent months to solicit feedback from a variety of constituents regarding the qualities they believed to be important for BCH’s next leader to possess. Those efforts included surveys and a forum with BCH staff, as well as surveys with BCH trustees and other key stakeholders.

The feedback from surveys, research and input from other nonprofits in North Carolina and beyond were used to develop a candidate profile and finalize a job description for BCH’s CEO position.

The application portal outlines a variety of professional, personal and spiritual attributes that are being sought in a new leader in the areas of leadership, management, fundraising and more.

Powell asked for continued prayer as the search team enters the next phase of the search process.

“The Transition and Search Committee asks that you continue to pray for us and our partners at Vanderbloemen as we guide the process,” Powell wrote. “Pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit as He works within the hearts of those who will apply. We rejoice in the expectation of what the Lord will accomplish through the leadership process and the continued support of ministry partners such as you. Thank you for being a valued partner in carrying out the BCH mission of “‘sharing hope…changing lives.’”

(EDITOR’S NOTE – The complete text of the email update on the BCH CEO search process is included below.)

Greetings Baptist Children’s Homes friends,

On behalf of the Transition and Search Committee, thank you for your continued prayers and support of Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina (BCH) and every life we are able to serve. God has blessed us with the most dedicated of staff, friends and partners in NC Baptist life. He is using your faithfulness and generosity to make a difference in the lives of children, families, aging adults, expectant mothers, special needs adults as well as others.

The process for identifying a new BCH leader has made great strides since the last public update, but first we want to praise God for what He accomplished last year through Baptist Children’s Homes even in the midst of the challenges we faced. In 2023, we ministered to 117,502 lives throughout BCH’s many ministries in NC, SC and Guatemala. We thank God for the 316 professions of faith that were proclaimed. We are grateful for the lives that have been changed for today and for all eternity! To God be the glory!

As the leadership process has continued throughout the past months, the Transition and Search Committee alongside Vanderbloemen, the firm assisting us with this undertaking, has accomplished the following:

• Conducted an online survey of BCH staff and hosted a group of employees for an in-person forum with our Vanderbloemen consultant
• Surveyed trustees and key stakeholders to elicit their insights into the qualities they consider vital to BCH’s executive leadership position  
• Developed the candidate profile utilizing feedback from surveys, research, input from similar nonprofits within North Carolina as well as nationally
• Finalized the updated job description for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position of the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina

As a result of everyone’s efforts, and God’s leadership most of all, the Transition and Search Committee is pleased to announce that the application process to identify the next BCH executive leader is now open. Further information regarding the CEO position and the portal for submitting a formal application is found at bchfamily.org/ceo located on the Vanderbloemen website. Serious candidates are encouraged to apply within the next three weeks.

Taking steps prayerfully and thoughtfully is integral to this undertaking. We will continue to move forward in a manner that is respectful of the process and within a timetable that accords God the latitude to move and lead. It is why the committee, and everyone involved in this effort, continues to covet your prayers.

From its very beginnings as a single cottage in 1885, God has grown Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina throughout its 138 years into the myriad of life-changing ministries it is today. We are able to look back at our history and say, without any doubt, that it is the Lord who has accomplished this in His wisdom and timing. When the day arrives to welcome our new CEO, we want to be able to once again behold what God has done and give Him all praise and glory for it.

The Transition and Search Committee asks that you continue to pray for us and our partners at Vanderbloemen as we guide the process. Pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit as He works within the hearts of those who will apply. We rejoice in the expectation of what the Lord will accomplish through the leadership process and the continued support of ministry partners such as you. Thank you for being a valued partner in carrying out the BCH mission of “sharing hope…changing lives.”

Blessings,David Powell
Chair, Transition and Search Committee