GREENSBORO, N.C – Attendees to the 2023 N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference elected a new slate of officers and heard a series of messages focused on encouraging pastors in their ministry callings during the event held Sunday and Monday, Nov. 5-6, at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center.

The theme of this year’s event was “Shepherd the Flock” based on 1 Peter 5:1-4. In verse two of that passage, Peter exhorts elders “to shepherd the flock of God that is among you” (ESV).

“You – our beloved N.C. Baptist pastors – are our heroes,” conference President Jordon Willard said in his introductory remarks, highlighting the many challenges pastors have faced over the last few years which include a global pandemic, political division, social unrest and more.

“We believe that the great need of the hour for pastors is encouragement, to be built up, to be edified, to be strengthened in your heart and in your soul,” said Willard, who pastors First Baptist Church of Weddington.

The conference featured messages from eight speakers on different aspects of pastoral ministry, including character, preaching, adversity, the Great Commission and more. The event also included extended times of congregational singing led by Kenny and Claire Hilliard, a husband and wife worship duo from Nashville, Tennessee.

2025 officer elections

Jesse Watkins, preaching pastor of Friendship Southern Baptist Church in Concord, was elected president of the 2025 N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference in a ballot vote. Pastors’ conference elections are typically held two years in advance.

Watkins received 140 votes (49.6%) in a three-person race. Jared Richard, senior pastor of Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh, received 82 votes (29%), and Brandon Watson, associate pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Knightdale, received 58 votes (20%). There were two abstentions. 

Watkins was nominated by former pastors’ conference and state convention president Micheal Pardue, who pastors First Baptist Church Icard in Connelly Springs. In his nomination speech, Pardue called Watkins someone “who truly cares about pastors.” 

Watkins is also currently serving as vice president of the 2024 pastors’ conference.

Josh Fraley, lead pastor of Euto Baptist Church in Marshville, was elected vice president of the 2025 conference by acclamation. Fraley was nominated by Chris Griggs, lead pastor of First Baptist Church of Welcome.

Howard McNeill, senior pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Greensboro, was elected secretary-treasurer of the 2025 conference by acclamation. McNeill was nominated by Lawrence Clapp, senior pastor of South Elm Street Baptist Church in Greensboro. 

Message recaps

Ronjour Locke, elder at Treasuring Christ Community Church in Raleigh and instructor of preaching and urban ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, opened the conference by preaching on “The Shepherd and His Character” from Psalm 15. Locke said character begins with the gospel, and he shared three types of character that flows from the gospel – relational character, judicial character and sacrificial character.

Tony Merida, pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, preached on “The Shepherd and Adversity” from 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, which addresses the Apostle Paul’s heavenly experience and his thorn in the flesh. Merida shared three reasons for suffering: suffering humbles us and points us to our need for God’s power; suffering causes us to draw near to the Lord; and suffering enables us to learn that Jesus really is enough.

Jim Shaddix, professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, preached on “The Shepherd and His Preaching” from Jeremiah 23:16-32. Shaddix shared a warning with attendees not to ignore the counsel of God as some prophets of ancient Israel did in the Old Testament. Shaddix encouraged pastors to prioritize personal and prayerful communion with the Lord in their ministry. 

Mark Clifton, teaching pastor of Linwood Baptist Church in Linwood, Kansas, preached on “The Shepherd and Revitalization” from Matthew 11:2-6. Clifton shared four reasons that John the Baptist questioned that Jesus was the Savior and how Jesus resolved those doubts. Clifton encouraged pastors that as they are discouraged to look to Jesus for revitalization because only revitalized pastors can revitalize churches. 

Jason K. Allen, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, preached on “The Shepherd and His Study.” Allen shared seven reasons for pastors to be faithful in their study along with some practical applications drawn from 2 Timothy 2:15. 

David Brady, senior pastor at Christ Community Church in Mount Airy, preached on “The Shepherd and Steadfastness” from 1 Corinthians 15:58. Brady shared three things that should inform the shepherd’s daily life. They are: the shepherd’s daily foundation should be the gospel; the shepherd’s daily work should be being “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord;” and the shepherd’s daily direction should be the return of Christ. 

H.B. Charles Jr., senior pastor at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, preached on “The Shepherd and Gospel Centrality” from 2 Timothy 4:1-5. Charles shared four commands for how pastors are to preach the word. Pastors should preach the word dutifully, diligently, defiantly and devotionally, Charles said. 

Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, preached on “The Shepherd and the Great Commission” from Matthew 28:16-20. Akin shared how Jesus’ command in the Great Commission shows us God’s complete power, his global plan and his constant presence. Akin also encouraged pastors to be passionate about the Great Commission which will make their churches passionate about the Great Commission. 

Mission:Dignity donation

Pastors’ conference officers also presented a check for $2,113 to Mission:Dignity, a ministry of Guidestone Financial Resources that helps retired pastors and their widows struggling to meet basic needs. The funds presented to Mission:Dignity came from an offering received from pastors’ conference attendees.