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An Odessa pastor has announced plans to nominate Jimmy Pritchard, pastor of First Baptist Church of Forney, for Southern Baptists of Texas Convention president during the annual meeting Oct. 28-29 in Amarillo.
Byron McWilliams of First Baptist Church of Odessa pointed to Pritchard’s character and commitment in recommending him as a man well suited for the presidency.
“I am excited to nominate my friend, Dr. Jimmy Pritchard, to be president of the SBTC,” McWilliams said. “Jimmy is a great pastor and a man of vision. He is a huge proponent of the Cooperative Program and a strong leader in SBC affairs. I am privileged to serve alongside of Jimmy as an IMB trustee. I have personally witnessed this man under fire, and he stands firm, unmoved by the pressure of popular opinion. For these reasons and many others I believe Jimmy will serve most effectively as president of our great state convention.”
Pritchard, who became pastor of First Baptist Church of Forney in 1994, earned master’s and doctorate degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. A husband, father and grandfather, Pritchard has pastored churches in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas.
Also, Jimmy Draper, retired Texas pastor and president emeritus of LifeWay Christian Resources, said he would nominate Michael Dean, pastor of Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth, as Bible Conference president.
Dean, who became pastor of Travis Avenue in 1991, has served churches in Texas and New Mexico as well as in convention positions, including as chairman of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary trustees. Dean has two children and two grandchildren.
“Michael Dean is an established and greatly respected pastor in our state. He has proven his commitment to the ideals that are exemplified in the SBTC and has a heart for missions and evangelism that is a prototype for us all,” Draper said. “His faithfulness to his ministry to and through Travis Avenue Baptist Church is a model for all of us to follow. He will lead creatively, biblically and effectively. I have known him for three decades and am pleased and grateful to have the privilege of nominating him for our next president of the Bible Conference.”
Steve Washburn, pastor of First Baptist Church of Pflugerville, said he would nominate Dante Wright, pastor of Sweet Home Baptist Church in Round Rock, as recording secretary.
Wright, who became pastor of Sweet Home in 2005, served as football coach at several universities before accepting the call to ministry. A father of five, Wright holds master’s degrees from Criswell College and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, where he is pursuing a doctorate.
“Pastor Dante Wright is one of the best-kept secrets in central Texas Baptist life,” Washburn said. “Since 2005, he has led a small congregation of 60, once struggling to keep their doors open, to become a thriving church of over 1,800 members worshiping weekly in a brand new facility. He’s a great Christian leader, family man and friend. Highly respected in the Austin area, it is time all of the SBTC be blessed by this gifted young pastor.”
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