BROWNSBORO, Texas (BP) — Texas pastor Michael Criner announced Monday (May 22) that he intends to nominate fellow Texas pastor Kason Branch for Second Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention at the upcoming SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans.

Branch serves as senior pastor at Creekstone Church in North Richland Hills.

“Kason is a snapshot of who we are as Southern Baptists,” Criner said in a statement. “He faithfully loves the Lord, his family and his church. When given the opportunity to serve our state convention (Southern Baptists of Texas Convention) or the SBC, Kason has exercised wisdom and discernment. His leadership is exceptional and his relationships broad.

“Kason has the ability to see the best in others which enables him to become a peacemaker among other pastors. His work as a church planting catalyst for the SEND Network has helped launch and strengthen many churches in the Fort Worth region. Kason exemplifies what a partnership in the Great Commission looks like and I am thrilled to nominate him for this role.”

Branch served on the 2022 SBC Committee on Committees and is a part-time church planting catalyst for Send Network SBTC covering the Fort Worth region.

According to Annual Church Profile information, Creekstone Church reported 11 baptisms in 2022 and averaged 110 in weekly worship. The church collected $250,000 total undesignated receipts, with $6,000 (2.4 percent) given through the Cooperative Program.

Branch holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a concentration in marketing along with a master’s degree in Christian leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership at Anderson University in South Carolina. Kason and his wife, Shanea, a first grade teacher, will celebrate 20 years together this July. The couple has two teenagers, Owen and Kayden Grace.