NASHVILLE (BP) – Texas pastor Kie Bowman has been tapped to lead the prayer assignment given to the SBC Executive Committee.

Bowman, recently retired from pastoral ministry, was asked by EC interim president and CEO Willie McLaurin to give direction to the task.

“His proven track record of leading Hyde Park Church to be a house of prayer uniquely positions him to lead Southern Baptist in elevating the ministry of prayer,” McLaurin told Baptist Press.

Bowman said he’s excited about the potential of the assignment and that prayer should be both a priority and strategic.

“Our scope in the prayer assignment is enormous and so are our possibilities. With nearly 50,000 churches, and over 6,000 missionaries on the field in North America and around the world we have a lot to pray about,” he said in written comments to Baptist Press.

The additional ministry assignment given to the EC in 2021 instructs them to, “Assist churches through elevating the ministry of prayer. Provide strategic leadership to lift up and promote coordinated prayer for spiritual awakening, ministry effectiveness, and the completion of the Great Commission.”

In addition to creating prayer resources, Bowman says he intends to “host training events and powerful prayer gatherings led by recognized SBC prayer leaders.” He has already contributed several articles to the BP Toolbox.

“Kie will be partnering with associations, state conventions, and SBC entities to build a strong network of prayer across the country. I am thrilled that for such a time as this God is positioning His people for His purpose,” McLaurin said.

Bowman retired in March 2023 from Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin, Texas where he served for 26 years. The Alaska native has written seven books and contributed to 13 others. He’s a two-time graduate of Southwestern Seminary holding M.Div. and D.Min degrees.

He’s grateful for the opportunity to serve Southern Baptists and sees an increased hunger for prayer.

“We heard it repeatedly in New Orleans from President Bart Barber pausing to pray for Michael Catt to Dr. McLaurin’s challenge to the convention to be more focused on prayer and from Todd Unzicker’s convention sermon where he called for more prayer as part of our deliberations,” Bowman said.

He also pointed to the “powerful prayer meetings” led by Bill Elliff and Robby Gallaty at the last few SBC annual meetings.

“The Great Commission, spiritual awakening, and increased ministry effectiveness will be our passions. I can imagine a day when Southern Baptists will be seen as the best providers of prayer resources in the English-speaking evangelical world,” he said.