October 3, 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Several candidates have risen to the top for the search team seeking to find the next president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee.
Search team chair Neal Hughes, director of missions for Alabama’s Montgomery Baptist Association, released an update late Monday afternoon, saying a candidate could realistically be presented for a vote at the full Executive Committee's next meeting scheduled for February.
Hughes described as a “harvest of resumés” for the presidency.
"Each candidate has been carefully reviewed and discussed,” he said. “We are currently working through the interview phase with several of the candidates.”
He didn't disclose any names.
Hughes asked for continued prayers for the search team and noted the next update will be released on or before Nov. 27.
In related news, Jonathan Howe, the Executive Committee's vice president of communications, continues as interim president. He stepped into the position temporarily in August following the resignation of Willie McLaurin.
Executive Committee officers said in September they were looking for a transitional interim — someone who will not be considered for the permanent role but would serve until the Executive Committee elected a new president.
No updates regarding a transitional interim have been released since the initial announcement.
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