Search team’s choice to lead SBC Executive Committee pulls name from consideration

Neal Hughes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A search team’s choice to lead the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee staff has pulled his name from consideration.

Neal Hughes, an Alabama baptist serving as chairman of the search team, made that announcement in a statement released Tuesday.

Hughes said the nominee "came to this conclusion after much prayer, fasting, and a desire to be in the center of God’s will,” Hughes said.

Hughes had announced on Jan. 8 that the search team’s choice had been made after interviewing 30 potential candidates. He had been scheduled to be publicly identified on Feb. 18 and voted on by the full Executive Committee on Feb. 19.

Hughes said the candidate was selected after lengthy interviews and an in-depth background review.

While the search team has kept the man’s identity private, Hughes had said he met all the sough-after criteria as a man of humility who possesses the fruits of the Spirit,  a statesman, a uniter, a bridgebuilder, a leader with a strong business acumen, a good preacher and communicator, a strategy-focused individual with an intimate knowledge of the Southern Baptist Convention’s dynamic and issues, a man who values transparency and who is solution-minded and hope-filled.

Hughes said the search team chose the candidate after "we gathered references from over 60 people from every walk of SBC life."

Jonathan Howe, interim president of the Executive Committee, commended the search team for its diligent work.

“This team has exemplified grace under pressure as they face their difficult task in the light of the current challenges across the convention,” Howe said. “I encourage Southern Baptists to continue to pray for these leaders as they move forward and to pray for the EC staff as they continue carrying out the work tasked to us by the convention.”