Alabama Baptist State Convention president Craig Carlisle has agreed to serve a second one-year term in the role if elected by messengers to the upcoming annual meeting in November.
Carlisle, who was elected to his first term during the 2023 annual meeting, said, “I was humbled when I was elected as president last year. I’m even more humbled now that I have seen so much that I get to serve Alabama Baptists.
“Over the last year I have had the opportunity to travel all over our state,” he shared with The Alabama Baptist. “I’ve visited almost all our campus ministers on campus, and I’ve attended at least one board meeting of most of our entities. I hope to complete all campuses and entities before the state convention annual meeting takes place Nov. 12–13 at Eastern Shore Baptist Church in Daphne.
“The conclusion I’ve drawn is … Alabama Baptists are the best,” he said. “We are unified and on mission.”
Nomination announced
Derek Allen, pastor of First Baptist Church Tillman’s Corner, announced Oct. 7 his plans to nominate Carlisle during the annual meeting. Allen also nominated Carlisle for his first term as president last year.
“Craig has served Alabama Baptists with exceptional skill and commitment over the past more than 10 months,” Allen said. “Since being elected last November, Craig has traveled across the state to encourage and strengthen Alabama Baptist churches, associations and entities. He has specifically worked to support bivocational pastors, church planting and church revitalization.”
Carlisle also has been instrumental in helping with the coming launch of a new emphasis on bivocational ministry.
“Craig understands how our family of churches functions … and understands pastors … and the needs of local churches,” Allen said, noting Carlisle served as a pastor of three different churches over the course of 30 years before moving into his current role at Etowah Baptist Association.
Carlisle who serves as associational mission strategist/director of missions for Etowah Association, “knows how to lead with skill and boldness … has led the association in a time of growth and renewal … and has continued his ministry of prayer to over 700 pastors and ministry leaders.”
‘Well-known friend of Alabama Baptists’
“Craig continues to be a pastor to pastors, and he has represented our state exceptionally well as a board of trustees member of the SBC Executive Committee.
“I talk to Craig regularly, and he is always on the road headed to serve a church, pastor or association somewhere in our state,” Allen said. “Even when he’s on vacation, he is available to our pastors and churches. Despite an incredibly busy year, Craig is willing to serve for a second term.
“When I have the honor of nominating my friend, Dr. Craig Carlisle, to serve a second term as president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, I will be nominating a well-known friend of Alabama Baptist pastors and churches. I hope and trust the other messengers to our state convention will join me in supporting Craig as our president for a second term.”
Other nominations pending
Carlisle is the first nominee announced for any of the state convention officer positions. The Alabama Baptist will report other nominees for president, first vice president and second vice president as they are announced. Current vice presidents serving the state convention are Huntsville-area pastor Jarman Leatherwood as first vice and Trussville-area pastor Ryan Whitley as second vice.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Update Oct. 8 at 8 p.m., The Alabama Baptist has learned that Ryan Whitley also has agreed to be nominated for a second term in the officer position he holds (second vice president).
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