A search committee has been formed to identify the next president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC).

On behalf of the ERLC Executive Committee, Dr. David E. Prince, chairman of the ERLC Board of Trustees, announced that Todd Howard, pastor of Watson Chapel Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Ark., will serve as chairman of the presidential search committee.

In addition to Howard, the other ERLC trustees appointed to the committee include Lori Bova, founder of Veritas Classical Christian Academy and member of Taylor Memorial Baptist Church in Hobbs, N.M.; Traci Griggs, communications and public policy specialist, radio show host, and member of Fairview Baptist Church in Apex, N.C.; Christine Hoover, author and Bible teacher and member of Charlottesville Community Church in Charlottesville, Va.; Juan Sanchez, pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, Texas; and A.B. Vines, pastor of New Seasons Church in Spring Valley, Calif. Prince, who is pastor of Ashland Avenue Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky., and an at-large trustee, will serve as an ex-officio member.

“The men and women serving on this search committee come from diverse backgrounds and ministry contexts but share a deep and abiding commitment to the gospel and the need for faithful Christian witness in the public square,” said Prince. “I am thankful in advance of the way in which I know this group will work diligently, methodically and prayerfully to search for and recommend a candidate who can serve both the Commission and our convention of churches with faithfulness, excellence and skill.”

In the weeks ahead, the search committee will meet to establish guidelines, a presidential profile and procedures for how recommendations may be submitted. Once completed, more information will be released for those interested in recommending a candidate for consideration.

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Elizabeth Bristow oversees press and media operations for the ERLC. This article originally appeared at erlc.com.)