Mike Stone will not seek a second term as GBC president – the floor is open for nominations

Mike Stone, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, addresses Georgia Baptists shortly after being announced the new president of the Georgia Baptist Convention at the 2017 annual meeting at North Metro First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville. Today, Stone announced his intention to not serve a customary second term, citing responsibilities "as a husband, father, and local church pastor." Pictured at left is Stone's wife, Andrea, while standing in back is then-outgoing GBC President and Alpharetta First Baptist Pastor Thomas Hammond, who will assume duties as Georgia Baptist Executive Director in January. SCOTT BARKLEY/Index

BLACKSHEAR — Mike Stone, president of the Georgia Baptist Convention and pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, has announced in a letter to Executive Director J. Robert White that he will not seek a second term as president of the Georgia Baptist Convention.

Stone has become one of the most popular and powerful preachers in the Southern Baptist Convention. He has also become a strong denominational leader not only in Georgia Baptist life, but in the life of the Southern Baptist Convention. His church is also planning to launch a significant building project larger than any in its 65-year history.

The GBC president and his wife, Andrea, have four children, Michaela, Andrew, Sarah, and Matthew. In the midst of all his preaching, pastoral, and denominational responsibilities, Stone is known for having an unwavering commitment to his family. It is a wise man who knows how to order his life according to the will of God.

Georgia Baptists will miss his leadership in what is often an obligatory second term as president, but at the same time he is to be saluted for his wisdom and commitment to God’s direction.

Pastor Stone has given The Christian Index permission to print the letter he addressed to White in announcing his decision to not seek reelection to a second term as Convention president.

The aforementioned announcement opens the door for Georgia Baptists to nominate one or more candidates for president of the GBC at this year’s convention at Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins November 12-13.