AUGUSTA, Ga. (BP) — Brad Graves, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ada, Okla., will be nominated for Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) first vice president at the 2024 SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis.
Brad Whitt, pastor of Abilene Baptist Church in Augusta, Ga., announced plans to nominate Graves.
“Graves’ influence extends beyond our borders, as he has preached and led pastors’ conferences on five continents, inspiring and equipping pastors worldwide,” said Whitt, who also will be nominated for president of the 2025 SBC Pastors’ Conference.
Graves has served for three decades in several ministry roles, including church planter, pastor, missionary and leader.
“He has planted churches in New Hampshire and California and served in churches of all sizes,” Whitt said. “His service also extends beyond the local level, having worked with the associational, state convention and national levels with the North American Mission Board, demonstrating his commitment to the broader SBC community.”
Graves has served as senior pastor at FBC Ada for eight years. The church is prominent in Oklahoma and counts well-known Southern Baptists Michael Catt and O.S. Hawkins among its former pastors. Under Graves’ leadership, it has experienced significant growth, reporting 534 in worship attendance and 29 baptisms last year.
Also in 2023, the church reported giving $210,989 (9.75%) of $2,454,263 in undesignated receipts through the Cooperative Program as well as a $6,090 gift to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
“Brad Graves is a pastor who is a leader at every level,” Whitt said. “He is highly evangelistic and is known nationally as an encouragement to pastors.”
Graves just completed his term as Oklahoma Baptist Pastors’ Conference president in 2023. He has also served on the New England Baptist Convention’s board of directors, the advisory board with Life Action Ministries, and several other boards and committees.
Graves and his wife Becky have been married 28 years. Becky is the treasurer for the SBC Ministers’ Wives Luncheon. She has recently released a book detailing her journey through the loss of their child. They have two adult children serving in full-time ministry, two children at home, a daughter-in-law and one granddaughter.
(EDITOR’S NOTE — With reporting from Baptist Press. Oklahoma Baptist Messenger staff compiled this report.)
