The search committee to find the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina’s (BSC) next executive director-treasurer met, Aug. 17 at Caraway Camp and Conference Center near Asheboro, N.C., to develop resources that will help the team communicate its vision for potential candidates.

“We want anybody and everybody to recommend folks they think are qualified,” said committee chairman Noah Crowe, who serves as interim pastor at Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church in Murphy.

A statement released by the nine-member team said the ideal candidate “demonstrates faithful commitment to the absolute authority of the Bible, as well as a faithful walk with God that is reflected in his character, integrity, wisdom and prayer habits.” 

The message also emphasized their desire to hear from candidates who are devoted to missions, diversity and the Cooperative Program, among other values.

Crowe told the Biblical Recorder in a phone interview that the group will develop a more detailed profile and questionnaire for potential candidates in the coming weeks. He welcomed “thoughts, input and especially recommendations” from individuals across Baptist life, such as laypersons, deacons and associational mission strategists. 

Crowe emphasized the importance of hearing from others in a time when traditional “listening sessions” are difficult due to restrictions on large gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Committee members reaffirmed their Sept. 30 deadline for receiving recommendations during the meeting. All recommendations must be submitted at [email protected], according to the search committee. 

Michael Sowers, pastor of First Baptist Church in Buies Creek, was selected to serve as the prayer coordinator during the meeting. Each member was asked to select three prayer partners for the duration of the search process. Time is set aside during each meeting for prayer. Sowers will lead that initiative.

The group previously named Allan Blume as vice chairman, Pam Young as recording secretary and Teresa Jones as an alternate recording secretary to fill in if needed. 

The search committee’s next scheduled meeting will take place Aug. 31 via video conference. Updates on the executive director-treasurer search process can be found at ncbaptist.org/edtsearch.