Steven Wade to Seek North Carolina Baptist Presidency

The lead pastor of Faith Baptist Church will be nominated for the top leadership role this November.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Christianity

Steven Wade to Seek North Carolina Baptist Presidency

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Chris Griggs will nominate Steven Wade to serve as president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina during the upcoming annual meeting. The nomination follows the pending departure of current president Allen Murray, who is ineligible for reelection due to term limits.

Why it matters

The election of a new president will shape the future governance and mission initiatives of the state convention. Wade, who currently serves as first vice president, is a prominent figure in the state's Baptist community through his work in both pastoral ministry and theological education.

Steven Wade serves as lead pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville and teaches pastoral theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2025, his church reported 106 baptisms and contributed $111,000 to the Cooperative Program.

The players

Steven Wade

He is the lead pastor of Faith Baptist Church and a professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Chris Griggs

He serves as the lead pastor of First Baptist Church of Welcome and is the designated nominator for the candidate.

Allen Murray

He is the current president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina who is concluding his final term.

The details

The nomination is set to take place at the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina annual meeting in Greensboro. Wade is currently finishing his second term as the convention's first vice president, a role he has held since 2024.

2006: Wade began his faculty role at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
June 2017: Wade assumed the lead pastor position at Faith Baptist Church.
2024: Wade was elected as first vice president of the N.C. Baptist convention.
2025: Wade was reelected to his second term as first vice president.
Nov. 16-17, 2026: The N.C. Baptist annual meeting will be held in Greensboro.

Culture Shift

This transition marks a scheduled change in leadership dictated by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina term limits. Such rotations ensure fresh perspectives in governance, maintaining the democratic structure long established within the state's Baptist institutions.

Convention members and local congregants will participate in the election process during the upcoming annual meeting. This leadership change may influence the allocation of resources and the focus of statewide mission efforts supported by local church contributions.

The takeaway

Baptist leaders often balance academic roles with local pastoral responsibilities to bridge the gap between theology and congregational life. Understanding these leadership shifts helps church members stay informed about the direction of their regional faith organizations.

What happens next

The election will officially occur during the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina annual meeting scheduled for Nov. 16-17, 2026, in Greensboro.