Odessa pastor to lead SBTC

The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention elected First Baptist Church of Odessa pastor Byron McWilliams as president on Tuesday at its annual meeting in Lubbock.

McWilliams, who ran unopposed, will serve at least one year in a position that carries the re-sponsibility of making appointments to various convention committees, being present at the executive committee meetings and organizing the next year’s annual convention. McWilliams will be up for re-election next year, but former presidents have traditionally served two years, he said.

While these responsibilities will add to his workload, McWilliams said he accepted the nomination only after much prayer on consideration.

“My prayer was, ‘God, if I can do this to advance the kingdom in some way,’ ” McWilliams said.

He found out he was being considered for the position about three months ago and met with the church’s deacons to let them know the position would not require him to miss many Sundays.

One area he said he plans to focus on is missions and evangelism. McWilliams already serves on the International Mission Board for the national Southern Baptist Convention.

Nathan Lino, senior pastor of Northeast Houston Baptist Church, who is also on the IMB and a former vice president of the SBTC, said McWilliams selection will help the 11-year-old convention move forward.

“Our state convention is on a great course. Byron being elected president makes him the leader of leaders,” Lino said. “We look for someone of great conviction and who does what’s right in the face of opposition.”

The convention also elected pastor Kevin Euckhert of Abilene as first vice president.